Photo by Lennart Wittstock on Pexels.com In 1971 a film was made about people sleeping rough in the Waterloo and Elephant and Castle area in London. One piece of footage not used in the film was of an unknown homeless man singing these words: Jesus’ blood never failed me yet Never failed me yet Jesus'… Continue reading ‘Jesus’ blood never failed me yet’
Category: Homelessness
Reconciliation & resettlement: my Tunbridge Wells winter #3
Previous instalment: The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2 The shelter’s first night had seen one of our residents arrested for assault, criminal damage and threatening behaviour. The next morning, I woke up early in my YMCA room and spent some time praying for courage for whatever the day would bring. On… Continue reading Reconciliation & resettlement: my Tunbridge Wells winter #3
The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2
Previous installment: Wealth, fear and nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1 The rear view of the shelter venue, Tunbridge Wells, 1996 As I wrote in the last post, my first few weeks as Manager of Tunbridge Wells' first ever winter shelter was dominated by dealing with disgruntled neighbours. But with the permission to open,… Continue reading The sound of breaking glass: my Tunbridge Wells winter #2
Wealth, fear & nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1
In the mid-1990s I worked in a large hostel in Hackney, East London for 140 homeless men and women. But the organisation I worked for had an opportunity for someone to be seconded for 5 months to a Housing Association in Kent who needed a manager to establish a new winter shelter for rough sleepers.… Continue reading Wealth, fear & nimbyism: my Tunbridge Wells winter #1
Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Photo by Timur Weber on Pexels.com I’ve spent the last couple of decades working in social action and for the last 15 years almost exclusively with those experiencing street homelessness and its surrounding issues. In the last three years, I’ve moved into full time church leadership. For this reason that I was acutely struck by… Continue reading Soothing poverty or slaying it? – by Phil Conn
Empowered: faith that makes a lasting difference, Conference 7th March 2024
I have been very encouraged by the response to my longer article Justice, Empowerment & Faith: the Future Direction of Christian Social Action. It has been read by over 4000 people so far and I have had a pile of emails and messages with lots of support and agreement as well as plenty of thoughtful critique… Continue reading Empowered: faith that makes a lasting difference, Conference 7th March 2024
Feeding the hunger for community – by Simon Dwight
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com On the Friday before Christmas, I hurried from my office to our church's outreach meal. Over the past two decades, my work life has focused on ways to help people overcome homelessness. However, as my career and the issue of homelessness have become increasingly interconnected, I've naturally moved away… Continue reading Feeding the hunger for community – by Simon Dwight
‘I didn’t see how I could be loved by God’: a journey from homelessness to hope
Antonio's life had been the grip of an addiction which had taken his resources, destroyed his relationships and left him cold and alone on the streets. His identity lacked dignity and any positive self-worth. As he says: 'It turned me into a person I was never meant to me' Recovery But from this rock bottom,… Continue reading ‘I didn’t see how I could be loved by God’: a journey from homelessness to hope
Structural justice: we need to nationalise house building
Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS on Pexels.com In 1998 I bought a one-bed flat in Kings Cross. It cost me £62,000. The similar flat next door had been sold for £38,000 a few months before and I remember my new neighbour telling me I had been ‘diddled’. I only bought the flat because the estate where… Continue reading Structural justice: we need to nationalise house building
A tents dispute with the Home Secretary
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com In 2011, Westminster City Council proposed byelaws to ban rough sleeping and to prevent groups distributing food to people in need, known as ‘soup runs’, in the Victoria area. The proposals caused an almighty uproar from charities and community groups and provoked demonstrations outside the council offices. In addition,… Continue reading A tents dispute with the Home Secretary
Grace + Truth 