This research focuses on the relationship between social exclusion and homelessness, with a particular emphasis on the biographies of those with first hand experience. A growing body of research looking at the causes of homelessness suggests that housing factors are less important in understanding the persistent nature of homelessness than factors such as family history, poverty and the breakdown of social relationships. This research aims to look at how these factors impact on people's lives, focusing on how they may or may not result in homelessness. The research will look at a case study of one particular area: Stoke-on-Trent. The research has three different methods of data collection: A scoping study of agencies in Stoke-on-Trent. Semi-structured interviews with homelessness agencies across Stoke-on-Trent. Life story/biographical interviews with three broad groups of people: Those who have experienced multiple episodes of homelessness Those presenting as homeless for the first time Those who have experience of multiple exclusion, but not homelessness The research involves working closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, North Staffs YMCA, Brighter Futures and other organisations in Stoke-on-Trent, as well as homeless people within the city.

A number of people, working in various key services across Stoke-on-Trent, were invited to take part in the research. A total of 18 people, representing 12 key services, took part in semi-structured interviews during 2010. The core component of the study was the generation of data with people with experience(s) of homelessness and/or who could be seen, in some way, as ‘multiply excluded’. The majority of people who were invited to take part in the study were receiving services from an agency, or had received services at some point in the past. We generated data by employing one of two approaches: a single generative question approach; or a ‘life story’ approach where people were asked to think of their life as a book (McAdams, 1993). Each interviewee/storyteller could choose the sort of approach they were most comfortable with. The aim here was to provide the individual story-teller with ‘room to speak’ (Mishler, 1986) in order to tell the story of their life. During 2010 to 2011 we generated the life stories of 104 people. The following details the information contained in the Information Sheet to people experiencing homelessness/multiple exclusion. Information about the study You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide to take part or not it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. The researcher will be happy to explain anything that is not clear or anything that you have concerns with. What is the purpose of the research: To talk to various people who have had some experience of being homeless and/or who might have had experience of significant personal disruptions in their life. We are interested in the reasons why such events might have happened and how people have coped. Who is asking me questions? The research is being co-ordinated by researchers from the University of Salford. The lead researcher is Philip Brown 0161 2953647 p.brown@salford.ac.uk. Working with Philip is a researcher, [INSERT NAME]. All researchers should have identification, if this is not visible do ask to see it. The research is being funded by a research grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Who will take part? We are looking at talking to around 100 people who have either had some experience of being homeless and/or who might have had experience of significant personal disruptions in their life. What will it involve? If you agree to take part in the research, the researcher, [INSERT NAME], will carry out a one-hour in-depth interview with you to explore your personal experiences of being homeless or personal disruption and what this has meant to you. It is anticipated that the interviews will also explore the personal experiences that might have led you towards being homeless or experiencing a personal disruption. Interviews will be tape-recorded with your agreement and then the researcher, [INSERT NAME], will produce a written account of this. Once the written account is produced the researcher [INSERT NAME] will come back and talk to you about it to see if you have any comments about what was said. In order to thank you for your time you will also be provided with a shopping voucher for £20. Where will you talk to me? Anywhere where you feel comfortable, that is reasonably quiet and where we won’t be interrupted. For instance, this can either be at a local centre or in your home or another location. What are the benefits of taking part? It is anticipated that the information gained may assist services in understanding what it means to be homeless and help towards refining and expanding the services to provide further support for people who are, or who might become, homeless. Do I have to get involved? You can decide not to participate in the interview without giving a reason and withdraw from the research at any time without giving reasons. This will not affect the help you currently receive from services or in the future. Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential? All of the information that is collected from you during this research will be kept secure and any identifying material such as names and addresses will be removed in order to maximise the anonymity of your involvement. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with those involved in any services you receive. However, you should be aware that the researcher, [INSERT NAME], would have to pass on information to other professionals that raised serious concerns about risk to yourself or others, including serious child protection concerns. Who will know about my involvement in the study? As few as people as possible will know about your participation in the research, the people that will know about your participation will be the members of the research team from the University of Salford. Workers, who may have referred us to you, may be aware that you have spoken to us – however, if this occurs they will not be made aware of anything we have discussed – with the exception of the risk issues mentioned above. Will I receive any support by taking part in this study? It is possible that through the interview you may become upset or distressed. In order to support you if this happens during or after an interview the organization will be asked to nominate, with your agreement, someone from the team, who you will be able to talk to you and offer support should you wish. What will happen to the results of the research study? This research is hoped will help people better understand homelessness and it is expected that the findings will be published in a series of reports and articles. Finally, if you agree, thank you for taking part in this research. If you choose not to participate thank you for reading this information. Further information. If you wish to discuss this further before making a decision you may speak to Philip Brown, Research Fellow, on 0161 2953647 or at p.brown@salford.ac.uk 28th May 2009 The following details the information detailed in the information sheet provided to practitioners: Information about the study You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide to take part or not it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. The researcher will be happy to explain anything that is not clear or anything that you have concerns with. What is the purpose of the research: To talk to various people who work for organisations that work on homelessness issues within Stoke-on-Trent or with people who may have experienced, or are experiencing, homelessness within the Stoke-on-Trent area. Who is asking me questions? The research is being co-ordinated by researchers from the University of Salford. The lead researcher is Philip Brown 0161 2953647 p.brown@salford.ac.uk. Working with Philip is a researcher, [INSERT NAME]. All researchers should have identification, if this is not visible do ask to see it. The research is being funded by a research grant from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). What will it involve? If you agree to take part in the research, the researcher, [INSERT NAME], will carry out either an interview via phone or face to face which will last between 30 – 60 minutes. This interview will explore what your thoughts are on the factors leading up to homelessness and what your organisations response to this is. Interviews will be tape-recorded with your agreement and then the researcher, [INSERT NAME], will produce a written account of this. Once the written account is produced the researcher [INSERT NAME] will come back and talk to you about it to see if you have any comments about what was said. Where will you talk to me? Anywhere where you feel comfortable, that is reasonably quiet and where we won’t be interrupted. For instance, this can either be at your work place or another location. What are the benefits of taking part? It is anticipated that the information gained may assist services in understanding what it means to be homeless and help towards refining and expanding the services to provide further support for people who are, or who might become, homeless. Do I have to get involved? You can decide not to participate in the interview without giving a reason and withdraw from the research at any time without giving reasons. Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential? All of the information that is collected from you during this research will be kept secure and any identifying material such as names and addresses will be removed in order to maximise the anonymity of your involvement. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with those involved in any services you receive. However, you should be aware that the researcher, [INSERT NAME], would have to pass on information to other professionals that raised serious concerns about risk to yourself or others, including serious child protection concerns. Who will know about my involvement in the study? As few as people as possible will know about your participation in the research, the people that will know about your participation will be the members of the research team from the University of Salford. What will happen to the results of the research study? This research is hoped will help people better understand homelessness and it is expected that the findings will be published in a series of reports and articles. Finally, if you agree, thank you for taking part in this research. If you choose not to participate thank you for reading this information. Further information. If you wish to discuss this further before making a decision you may speak to Philip Brown, Research Fellow, on 0161 2953647 or at p.brown@salford.ac.uk 4th August 2009