Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com One of the most important truths I have learnt from the last 25 years of working with people is this: Nobody can change anyone else. People must want to change. Remembering this truth enables us to help people in a way which truly helps them. Accepting this reality helps… Continue reading Carrying burdens, maintaining boundaries: the complexity of compassion #2
Category: Homelessness
The need for grace and truth: the complexity of compassion #1
Photo Tina Nord on Pexels.com When I was in my twenties, I lived in Kings Cross in London and was a member of a local church. There, I got to know a man who was a former crack addict. We'll call him Pete. He was doing his best to put his life back together and… Continue reading The need for grace and truth: the complexity of compassion #1
What are the best ways of helping people?
Photo by Anna Tarazevich on Pexels.com Every Tuesday at WLM's centre for homeless people at Seymour Place in central London, we have a Spirituality Discussion Group for our homeless clients. Even though membership of the group changes frequently, the group decides themselves the topics it wants to discuss. Its one the highlights of my job… Continue reading What are the best ways of helping people?
Homelessness: have we lost our Christianity in our caring? 24th April, central London
Christian distinctiveness in helping people who are homeless Many churches acknowledge the importance of helping people who are homeless. Nationwide there are over 100 Night Shelter networks and churches make up the vast majority of the venues. Also many of the larger, established homeless agencies have Christian roots. But, confidently integrating faith alongside our practical… Continue reading Homelessness: have we lost our Christianity in our caring? 24th April, central London
My cousin and the bitter cost of drug addiction
This weekend, I was on the BBC1 programme Sunday Morning Live discussing homelessness and begging. I was on the programme because I disagree with the view of journalist Matt Broomfield who believes people should give 'directly and unconditionally' to people who are begging. Experience My views on this issue have been shaped by 20 years of working… Continue reading My cousin and the bitter cost of drug addiction
No one can take steps for others on the hard road of recovery
Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com My daughter and I have just got back from WLM's Sleep Out held last night in the grounds of St James’ Church, Piccadilly. It was an uplifting evening. 82 supporters gave up their bed for the night to sleep out and (so far) we have raised £35,000 for our work… Continue reading No one can take steps for others on the hard road of recovery
Hope in action (even if you’re little you can do a lot)
'Pollen' by Hope. Inspired by a trip to Kew Gardens, London Recently I was contacted by a Mum whose 5 year old daughter wanted to do something to help homeless people. What struck me was that their family situation is not at all easy - the daughter has additional needs and the family don't have a… Continue reading Hope in action (even if you’re little you can do a lot)
A soft-touch? Why Christians need to stop being doormats
My recent article on Why Pope Francis is wrong about begging was re-posted on the popular Christian blog Psephizo and a number of church leaders commented on the challenge that this issue poses for them. It again reminded me of how churches, vicarages and manses are at the front line of this issue because of… Continue reading A soft-touch? Why Christians need to stop being doormats
‘Dossers’ who choose to sleep rough and the ‘professional weepers’ who care: ‘The Sun’ on homelessness in 1990
I was clearing out some old paperwork this week at the West London Mission and I found some fascinating old newspaper clippings relating to homelessness. One clipping particularly struck me. It was from The Sun, March 1990. It starts: IT's time we stopped feeling guilty about the plight of dossers sleeping rough on our streets. Professional weepers… Continue reading ‘Dossers’ who choose to sleep rough and the ‘professional weepers’ who care: ‘The Sun’ on homelessness in 1990
Homelessness: personal tragedy & political failure
The annual service to commemorate homeless people who have died in the past year was held today at packed St Martins-in-the-Fields church, central London. As part of the service, The Choir with No Name and Streetwise Opera performed songs and the names of 160 homeless people who have died in the past year were… Continue reading Homelessness: personal tragedy & political failure
