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Coronation celebrations in full swing with Westminster’s housing services

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Cllr Begum with volunteers at The Passage

As part of Westminster City Council’s celebrations for the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, service providers for rough sleepers and vulnerable residents hosted festivities over the bank-holiday weekend. Activities included street parties, gardening, afternoon teas and barbeques.

Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet member for Housing Services, joined service users at The Marylebone Project for a barbeque and royal themed quiz in their courtyard garden. The Marylebone Project offers accommodation to 112 women with complex housing support needs. Many of the women have experienced street homelessness and as a result have suffered many different traumas. They also work closely with Westminster City Council to provide support to women with multiple and complex needs.

Then, on Saturday, the rain didn’t dampen the spirits after the Coronation ceremony. Service users at the Riverside Pimlico Pathway enjoyed a street party decorated in red, white, and blue and a feast fit for royalty. The Pathway Project offers accommodation-based support for people with complex mental health and dual diagnosis needs across five locations in south of the borough.   

Events concluded with some green fingered volunteers at The Passage where they got the outside areas ready for summer by filling planters with shrubs and planting trees. Their hard work was rewarded with scones and a well-earned cup of tea afterwards. The Passage offer a rapid-response service for those who are newly street homeless, aiming to reduce the instances of people becoming stuck in a street-based lifestyle. Bentley House provides homes for life for 20 people who have a long history of being street homelessness.

As part of the council’s Fairer Westminster commitment, the council is will continue to support housing partners to ensure the number of cases of homelessness can be prevented.

Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services said:

The Coronation has been the perfect way for communities to come together and celebrate, I’ve loved getting stuck into all the brilliant events around Westminster.”

“Our Fairer Westminster commitment is to make sure the housing needs for everyone are met. The work done by the services throughout the year make sure those most in need get the support they need.”

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Trumpeter entertaining residents at a street party

Published: 11 May 2023