Honeycomb Group is thrilled to announce the appointment of Steve Barkess as its new Head of Homelessness and Complex Needs.
Steve, who officially joins in early September, brings over a decade of frontline and strategic expertise spanning homelessness and community development. He comes to Honeycomb Group from Homeless Link, where he spent seven impactful years enhancing the sector’s approach to homelessness across England. His recent focus in the West Midlands and North-West involved supporting a broad mix of organisations, from grassroots and faith-based initiatives to national providers and local authorities, championing collaboration and person-led approaches.
As a Stoke-on-Trent resident with a deep understanding of the city’s unique challenges and opportunities, Steve is especially excited to return to local delivery.
“It’s a privilege to take on this role in a city I call home,” said Steve. “Honeycomb Group stands out for its commitment to breaking down barriers and supporting people facing multiple disadvantage. I look forward to working with the passionate teams here, strengthening local collaboration, and continuing to embed trauma-informed, asset-based practices that lead to lasting change.”
In his new role, Steve will drive forward best practice across Concrete (Honeycomb Group’s homelessness and support charity) and beyond, supporting people to thrive independently, move on with confidence, and pursue their goals with dignity. He also brings a passion for workforce development, aiming to equip staff with the values, skills, and confidence needed to deliver strength-based, meaningful support.
Chair of the Destination:Home Board and former Homeless Link colleague, Steve is well-positioned to bridge national expertise with local delivery. He is particularly committed to fostering deeper partnerships with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and other local agencies, demonstrating the value of collective action in addressing complex needs.
Executive Director of Support and Wellbeing, Kerry Birtles, is excited to see Steve join the team, she said: “Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise having worked within the local and wider sector. His extensive experience in building strong partnerships will be invaluable as Concrete and the wider Honeycomb Group work to expand our reach and deliver even greater support to local communities.”
“We are delighted to see Steve join Honeycomb Group and believe he will be a fantastic asset and leader within our Concrete team.”
