By Brick CEO, Keely Dalfen
At The Brick, we’ve always said that homelessness is about more than the absence of a home. It’s about the absence of connection, belonging, and hope. And if that’s the problem, then the solution can’t just be bricks and mortar—it has to be people, relationships, and yes… love.
That’s why I’m genuinely encouraged, despite the current news stories of division and hate, that within communities, the VCFSE sector, and local government there is an unimposing, quiet but yet very real shift happening – a move towards unity. Not just unity as a buzzword, but as a way of working. Different services, charities, local groups, and communities are being brought around the same table. And when that happens, things change.
What unity looks like
Unity looks like people sharing ideas instead of competing for them. It looks like communities being trusted to take the lead on their own priorities. It looks like services recognising that behind every “case” is a human being with a story, dreams, and potential.
And here in Wigan and Leigh, I see that happening more and more. Council-led projects are opening doors for grassroots organisations. Residents are shaping decisions that affect them. And slowly but surely, the gaps between us—the gaps where inequality grows—are starting to close.
Why this matters for inequality
Because inequality is what pushes people into crisis and division. When wages don’t cover rent, when health problems aren’t treated early, when families can’t access affordable housing—those pressures build. And too often, they spill over into homelessness.
By pulling together, we can start addressing those root causes. We can create systems that catch people before they fall. And we can make sure that fairness, compassion, and opportunity aren’t reserved for a lucky few, but available to everyone.
And then there’s love
I know it might sound unusual to talk about love in the context of councils, policies, or strategies. But I honestly believe it’s the missing piece.
Because homelessness isn’t just about having no roof—it’s about feeling invisible. Love is what makes someone feel seen. It’s what turns services into relationships. It’s what rebuilds dignity and trust.
I see it every day at The Brick: in the way our volunteers stop to listen, in the kindness of neighbours rallying around someone in crisis, in the patience of staff who refuse to give up. That’s love in action. And that’s what really changes lives.
Where we go from here
The quiet, calm progress across the Wigan Borough tells me that we’re on the right path. Unity is still growing, and love will win because inequalities are being challenged. But the work isn’t finished—and it won’t be, until no one in our community is left without a safe place to call home.
And so, my hope is this: that we keep choosing unity over division, fairness over inequality, and above all, love over indifference. Because in the end, it’s love and unity that will end homelessness.