*** Statement regarding our Annual Conference 2022 – now being held online ***

After careful consideration, NACCOM has made the difficult decision to move our in-person conference on November 10th in Leicester to an online event. This is due to changes to planned strike action affecting national rail services and London tube services next week, which would make travel to our conference extremely difficult or impossible for the majority of our delegates.  

We are hugely disappointed that we won’t be able to bring the network together in person this year as planned, and apologise for any inconvenience caused to those who may already have booked their conference tickets and travel. Whilst we regret needing to make this decision, we fully support the democratic right to strike and stand in solidarity with those who choose to do so.  

Refund policy 

If you have already booked conference tickets and travel, you should have received an email about the opportunity to claim for your ticket and costs to be reimbursed. If you have not received this email please get in touch with us at [email protected]  

Online conference 

We are delighted to announce the updated agenda for our online conference on Thursday 10th November 2022. The format of the event will differ slightly from the published in-person Agenda, as we are mindful of people’s capacity for screen-based activities. We have tried to include moments of community, solidarity and reflection. 

If you haven’t already booked your place at conference, you please go to our Eventbrite page. 

Tickets are free for all NACCOM members and £10 for any non-members. People with lived experience will be able to receive a free ticket – please get in touch with us at [email protected] for your free ticket code. 

We hope that more of you will now be able to join us for this event, which will bring members, volunteers, partners and supporters together to celebrate the work and impact of the network, share good practice and innovation, and be a valuable space for solidarity as we reflect on our work this year. 

Bringing people together in 2023 

We are committed to bringing the network together to connect, share learning, celebrate our collective work and stand in solidarity as often as we can. With this in mind, we will be hosting our next regional member hub meetings in January/February 2023 as in-person events. We will share details about the dates and venues for the hub meetings for NACCOM members later in November.  

NACCOM’s Annual Conference and AGM 2022  

Members, partners and supporters are warmly invited to join us online for a day of participatory workshops, discussions and reflection as we bring our UK-wide network together for our Annual Conference and AGM.  

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the work and impact of the NACCOM network, learn and share good practice and stand in solidarity with like-minded individuals and organisations involved in accommodating and supporting people experiencing destitution in the asylum and immigration system.   

Hear from charity leaders in the network, partner organisations, volunteer researchers from our Community Research group and NACCOM staff, as we explore key topics, challenges and opportunities to have emerged this year. We’ll also be launching our Impact Report and sharing key insights and data from our Annual Members’ Survey, which tracks the scale and impact of destitution across the network.

Full event details:

What: The No Accommodation Network (NACCOM) Annual Conference and AGM 

When: Thursday 10th November 2022 

Where: Online via Zoom

Times: 9.30am – 3.45pm

Full Agenda:

Note: Zoom links will be sent out in advance to all registered attendees for the different sections of the day

Impact Report launch and AGM

> 09.30 – 10.20: Welcome and opening remarks (Bridget Young, Director, NACCOM), Launch of 2022 NACCOM Impact Report, including annual survey results (NACCOM staff and Community Researchers)

> 10.20 – 10.40: NACCOM Annual General Meeting (AGM) – NACCOM full members required but all delegates welcome. Full Members can vote in our Trustees. (Caron Boulghassoul, NACCOM Chair of Trustees)

> 10.40 – 10.55: Q&A on Impact Report and AGM matters (Caron Boulghassoul, NACCOM staff and Community Researchers)

> 10.55 – 11.00: Moment of solidarity and Reading by Loraine Masiya Mponela from her new book of poetry, “I was not born a sad poet”

> 11.00 – 11.30: Screen break

Online Workshops

> 11.30 – 13.00:

Workshop 1. Working well with Housing Associations

Workshop 2. Working well with Local Authorities

Workshop 3. Using the Right to Remain toolkit in the context of the Nationality and Borders Act

Workshop 4. Changing the story – how to talk about destitution

Speakers from organisations include:

• ASSIST Sheffield

• The Gap Newport

• Boaz Trust

• Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing

• Homeless Link

• Open Door North East

• Right to Remain

• IMIX

More details on each workshop can be found below.

> 13.00 – 14.00: Screen break

Online plenary discussion: What next for hosting?

> 14.00 – 15.30: Hosting has always played a prominent role in accommodation provision within the NACCOM network, particularly for people seeking asylum with NRPF. Hosting has faced several challenges over the past two years directly or indirectly as result of Covid-19, the Homes for Ukraine scheme and the current cost of living crisis. This interactive workshop will provide a space for individuals and organisations involved in hosting to share learning and discuss how they have responded and adapted to both current challenges and new opportunities. Colleagues from Hope at Home, Housing Justice Cymru and Refugees at Home will share their thoughts.

Speakers from organisations include:

• Hope at Home

• Housing Justice Cymru

• Refugees at Home

• Upbeat Communities

Conference close

> 15.30 – 15.45: Second reading by Loraine Masiya Mponela from her new book of poetry, “I was not born a sad poet”, Online vigil and moment of reflection (Bridget Young, Director, NACCOM)

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Detailed information about workshops:

➡️ Working well with Housing Associations (Workshop 1)

This workshop will explore the innovative approaches taking place in the provision and management of homes for both people seeking asylum and other migrants left with NRPF, or for refugees and others with the right to rent. Featuring presentations from members with expertise in this area, the workshop will be interactive and designed to inspire and support you to reach out and start a conversation with your local Housing Association/s.

➡️ Working well with Local Authorities (Workshop 2)

This workshop will use the recent Homeless Link and NACCOM report Unlocking the door: A roadmap for supporting non-UK nationals facing homelessness in England to explore challenges, opportunities and good practice around how NACCOM members can work well with local authorities across the UK.

➡️ Using the Right to Remain toolkit in the context of the Nationality and Borders Act (Workshop 3)

How can charities best support people to navigate the asylum and immigration system? With the implementation of the Nationality and Borders Act, Right to Remain will host a workshop on key changes to legal process and how this may impact people’s asylum claims.

➡️ Changing the story – how to talk about destitution (Workshop 4)

Language matters, and in an increasingly polarised and toxic media landscape, how we talk about refugees – and refugee experiences – is more important than ever. Sector communications specialists IMIX join us to discuss the findings of a recent project looking to change the way we frame public discourse around destitution in the context of the asylum and immigration system.

This event is ticketed:

Tickets are free for all NACCOM members and £10 for any non-members. People with lived experience will be able to receive a free ticket – please get in touch with us at [email protected] for your free ticket code.