I have worked in the homelessness and social care sector in the UK for over 20 years, with people who are among the most marginalised, criminalised and underserved in our society. My work focuses on systemic change, particularly how anti-oppressive policy and practice can prevent dehumanising deaths.

The UK experiences alarmingly high rates of drug-related and homeless deaths. This tragic loss of precious lives exposes the individual, social and economic consequences of chronically fragmented, underfunded and contested harm reduction policy. Canada, by contrast, has become a global leader in overdose prevention through its progressive population health strategies - including supervised consumption sites, safer supply programmes and street-based health interventions. These models prioritise co-production, dignity and evidence over stigma and criminalisation.

I aim to explore how Canadian approaches have been shaped and implemented. I hope to identify not only pioneering practice and service models, but also commissioning strategies and, crucially, policy levers that could contribute to change in the UK.