Meet Alice!

Alice co-founded Power With during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2020. With over 7 years' experience working in the homelessness sector, Alice was frustrated at how those experiencing homelessness, and those working directly alongside them, weren't being valued for the insight, skills and ideas they had to help end homelessness.

Connecting lived and learnt experiences of homelessness to co-create solutions was the founding aim of Power With - and we now support other organisations to do the same.

Name, or what you would prefer to be known as:

Alice Adams

What does Power With mean to you?

Activism and togetherness. A way to meet people who have different perspectives on homelessness but want to find a way to work together to end it.

What do you do at Power With?

A bit of everything! The boring stuff - governance, finance, admin etc. I also think about strategy and look for partnerships and funding. But the most fun and rewarding part is reaching out to people who share our vision and bringing them together to create collective power and enact the change we want to see.

What do you bring to Power With?

Knowledge and learnt experience of the homelessness sector in the UK. Since moving to London in 2013 I have been advocating for, advising and coaching people experiencing homelessness through a volunteer project at Croydon’s Children’s Social Services, at the Cardinal Hume Centre in Westminster, and as a Private Rented Sector Housing Coach at national homelessness charity, Crisis.

These experiences taught me that the systems and structures in place to end homelessness are complex, can create unnecessary stress for the people giving and accessing support, and that those with lived experiences of homelessness are still undervalued in their ability to spot problems, create solutions, and make independent decisions, based on what works for them.

In 2019 I gained a place on Year Here, a postgraduate course in social entrepreneurship. Here I learnt innovation skills, was introduced to the ‘lean start-up’ approach and grew a network of entrepreneurs and people working to achieve social change and impact. These connections, experiences and skills support the creation and development of Power With.

How have you grown from being part of Power With so far?

I have learnt a vast amount about Power, its complexities and the importance of acknowledging and shifting power dynamics to create meaningful social and systems change. I am having my assumptions and preconceptions challenged daily, and have faced some uncomfortable truths! Zooming out on homelessness in the UK and recognising all the different lived experiences, nuances and overlap with other disadvantages, has helped to grow my knowledge and recognise how much more there is to learn.

I have also learnt to implement various participatory approaches in order to set up a recruitment process, gain funding, develop a shared Vision, Mission and Values, and continue recognising every day that sharing power is very rewarding and also means sharing responsibility!

If you could choose one song to soundtrack your life what would it be?

Hometown Glory (High Contrast Remix)

This song (and the DnB remix!) makes me think about my hometown, Bristol, a city known for its friendly and laid back vibe, as well as rebellious attitude and community feel. For me, the song also conjures up a feeling of nostalgia and connection to people and places that make you feel at ‘home’. Throughout my life, the people I have met and the places I have lived are what have shaped me and helped create a sense of belonging.

What is your favourite phrase?

Trust your instincts!

Draw yourself or something that represents you…

A Starling!