Archives: Trainers

For 25 years I have been working as a trainer and consultant in the non-profit sector. Since 2018 I have been working for fio.PSD as coordinator of HF - the Italian Housing First community. In addition to designing and leading training courses, I have initiated communities of practice, coaching pathways and promoted HF as a compass for systemic change in homelessness services. I participated in the first Train the Trainer Housing First (2018), and since then I have curated the training of coordinators and programme workers across Italy. I see community work and the logic of proximity as central to the development of HF.

I completed my TTT in cohort 4 whilst working as manager of a Housing First team in Newcastle. We set this team up from scratch which included a lot of training and influencing. Learning and reflection is an important part of our model and I deliver a lot of informal training. Before working in Housing First I worked in a youth participation project which also influenced my training style.

I work on the streets of Rotterdam for almost 20 years, as social worker and in management positions. I am team leader of a multidisciplinary team of workers in Rotterdam. I am a Housing First trainer since 2022. I design and deliver training for landlords, municipalities and NGO's.

Cara has worked with homeless families, single adults, and children across Focus Ireland’s various housing services in Focus Ireland for over 20 years. Now on the Practice Development team her role involves policy development and supporting the design of a psychological environment based on Housing First and trauma informed philosophies. Cara’s training methodology is based on Freire’s approach emphasising dialogue, critical thinking and social Justice. Cara delivers training on Housing First, trauma and addiction, harm reduction, self-care for staff. Cara has an MA in Social Justice & Public Policy and a Post Grad Cert in Trauma Studies. When not working Cara likes rock climbing and being outside. Cara is currently the lead trainer on the Housing First Europe Hub’s Train-the-Trainer programme.

Michelle is an experienced trainer who completed the Train the Trainer course in 2021 as part of Cohort 4. Training Modules and eLearning that she can deliver to councils, health and social care providers, housing associations and third sector organisations in Scotland include: - An introduction to Housing First and the principles - Championing Housing First - Commissioning Housing First - Tenancy sustainment - Coproduction and participation. Homeless Network Scotland can also provide bespoke training and consultancy on the topic. Their training is centred around direct experience and evidence, good vibes and systems level change.

I am an experienced facilitator, trainer and public speaker and have overseen national work on scaling up Trauma Informed Care and Housing First since 2015. I have a decade experience of practice development work in the homelessness sector and hold a qualification in organisational/systems dynamics.

Alex has worked with Homeless Link since 2019, leading on the Housing First England project. Alex Supports Housing First teams across the UK through training, good practice guidance and communities of practice, as well as working across research, policy and campaigns to advocate for the scaling up of Housing First in England. Alex completed the Train the Trainer Housing First training in 2019/2020 and has since developed and delivered training for Housing First practitioners and managers. Alex has a particular interest in fidelity to the Housing First principles, having developed the Staying on Track fidelity assurance framework in 2024.

Anke Jansen is Co-founder of Housing First Nederland and has a carrier in consultancy, healthcare and human rights. The last 15 years, she started several Housing First projects and developed herself as an expert in ending homelessness on both national and local level with the principles of Housing First. She loves to make impact to create a human world for all.

I've been involved for over ten years in the fight against homelessness and the support of people in very precarious situations, and I'm currently Housing First referent at the Observatoire Wallon du Sans-Abrisme (in the French part of Belgium). In this role, I analyse programmes, organise training and take part in the identification of homeless people, in order to guarantee priority access to housing with appropriate support. As a former coordinator of the Housing First programme in Namur and a nurse at Relais Santé, I have always placed trust, individual skills and a holistic approach to support at the heart of my work. I also contribute to publications and training courses aimed at improving professional practices in the social sector.

Alena works to end homelessness in Eastern Slovakia by promoting affordable rental housing and integrated social, health, and employment services. She initiated the Housing First Programme for Families in Košice in 2020, now expanding to Prešov. As a strategic leader at the DEDO Foundation, she advocates for systemic change, shifting from managing to ending homelessness. Alena has trained professionals, policymakers, and service providers on evidence-based approaches to homelessness. With a background in law and social work, she holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. Her goal is to ensure that housing is recognised as a human right in Slovakia.