About B.HUG
Brent Homeless User Group (B.HUG) was set up in September 2001 by homeless people who decided to work together in the aim of improving homelessness situation in Brent. B.HUG has evolved greatly since that, from a small self-help group to a constituted organisation with excellent reputation for its innovative work with homeless people.
Although much bigger then its modest start, B.HUG still operates as a user-led organisation as the majority of its management has personal experience of homelessness. Hence, the ethos of including the homelessness is at the core of B.HUG’s operation and it not only promote inclusiveness and empowerment of homeless people but also lead by example.
Our mission is to empower homeless people to help themselves and to have a voice that is being heard and listened to. We also aim to prevent homelessness by providing information and support.
Our Achievements
- March 2008 – We have been selected as one of 15 finalists from 85 nationwide applicants by SPARK Challenge (http://www.sparkchallenge.org/spark/news.html) to develop Community Insight, our social enterprise, to enable homeless people gain employment
- Nov 2007 – We were the first runner up in the Andy Ludlow Awards for innovative work with homeless people for our West London Mystery Shopping Project that assessed how front line homelessness services are being delivered in 7 west London Boroughs, using specially trained homeless people as mystery shoppers, and leading to tangible improvements in services across the West London sub-region. This was delivered through our Community Insight social enterprise
- May 2006 – We were short listed for the Michael Whippman award for user involvement of homeless people
- Sept 06–March 07 – Our Road Show made over 40 visits to Secondary schools in Brent, delivering educational sessions about homelessness to over 2,500 young people, contributing to a 40% reduction in the number of young people approaching the Council for housing.