Geraldine and Simon both appreciated being part of a community, especially after previously falling out with housemates. This has helped them to maintain their tenancies. Every church offers community – we just need to make sure we’re inclusive. Check out 57 West’s website for more details on how they ensure they include everyone.
Geraldine found the volunteering opportunities 57 West offered to be particularly valuable, providing her with routine. What roles could your church offer to those who’ve experienced homelessness?
Simon thinks that it’s crucial that churches signpost people to the services available to them. A church doesn’t have to do everything themselves – there are other good providers out there, but often people don’t know about them. One example of a church doing this really well is St George’s in Stamford. To find out more, see the Church of England’s case study here.