Too often the voices of people experiencing multiple disadvantage are not heard. FLIC was designed to support, serve and empower people experiencing multiple disadvantage based on their needs, experiences and hopes for the future.

FLIC was part of the national Fulfilling Lives 12-area learning programme launched in 2014 and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. The programme was designed to create positive change in the lives of people experiencing multiple disadvantage, with FLIC operating in the boroughs of Camden and Islington, and is part of a national learning network in partnership with MEAM and a national evaluation team (CFE and the University of Sheffield).

The Fulfilling Lives programme defines multiple disadvantage as the intersection between two or more issues including; homelessness, substance use, mental health issues and contact with the criminal justice system. In addition, domestic abuse and/ or gender based violence is a near universal experience for FLIC’s female clients.

FLIC’s legacy recommendations 
FLIC may have ended, but the work still continues. We remain passionate about continuing to improve the lives of people experiencing multiple disadvantage, in Camden, Islington, and beyond. The learning from our client work has informed every one of our strategic priority areas. FLIC has created a set of legacy recommendations to enable local leaders to take forwards our learning from the last eight years.   

We believe addressing the following recommendations will lead to a brighter future for people experiencing multiple disadvantage... 

• The need for a strategic, coordinated, whole system approach to addressing multiple disadvantage    
• The need for system navigation and case coordination by a Lead Worker, using Team Around Me to deliver joined-up multi-agency support and system learning    
• The need for a trauma informed system and a consistent and compassionate approach to trauma across all services and sectors.   
• The need for tailored, accessible mental health support, particularly for people experiencing mental health issues and using substances  
• The need to resource and develop effective co-production: Delivering and designing services alongside people with lived experience ensures creates services that are a better fit for the people who use them  
• The need for an integrated, strategic response to women’s homelessness and experiences of violence: VAWG and housing/homelessness sectors to work together at a local and national level, alongside workforce development to enable practitioners to respond appropriately and safely.  
• The need to value and develop models of peer support:. A coordinated approach is needed to support the development of peer services across sectors, with shared standards of practice and a borough-wide approach to training and progression for peer workers.
  

"Genuine and good support can make you laugh again, it can bring you back actual happiness, a few years ago I never laughed, and now all I do is laugh, if you told me that a couple of years ago, when I was just angry or depressed and sad I never used to laugh, I forgot even what laughter felt like, it can just change everything." - Amy, client.

Our hopes for FLIC's Legacy
We are passionate about continuing to improve the lives and futures of people experiencing multiple disadvantage, in Camden and Islington, and beyond. Our wish is that this document is used by local leaders to act upon our recommendations and leave a lasting legacy, founded on all that has been achieved so far by FLIC and our partners.    

If you're passionate about understanding multiple disadvantage and working to create systems that are accessible, sustainable, and trauma-informed, then download the full report here.