6 January 2012
As we emerge from Christmas into what we hope will be a happy 2012, we are reminded of the importance of family and support groups – not just for the festive season, but all year round. That’s why Tearfund is passionate about churches meeting the physical and spiritual needs of their neighbourhoods.
An outreach project called One25 in Bristol’s St Paul’s area is featured on Tearfund’s Community Mission website as an inspiring example of what can be achieved.
For 16 years, One25 has been helping women trapped in street work. Most of the women are addicted to class A drugs and/or alcohol. Many have suffered childhood abuse and many remain in abusive relationships.
One25 runs a drop-in centre and a van goes out five nights per week: providing nutritious food, hot drinks and a chance to talk and get advice in a safe space.
Once a week, experienced staff and volunteers go out on foot to speak individually with the women, especially younger ones who are sometimes more reluctant to share their problems in front of others.
The project also relies on church volunteers. ‘They often tell us it’s life-changing work and I can vouch for that as I started as a volunteer myself,’ says Gillian Nowland, who is now One25’s CEO.
‘It opens your eyes to a whole invisible sector of society and you start to become aware of how people land in such difficult circumstances and how they are just ordinary women who are no different to your sisters, your daughters your friends – and with the right support they don’t want to be doing what they’re doing.
‘Often they recall the first person that remembered their name and smiled at them, and gave them some food. They never forget that first time and they often say: “Why do you do this? Haven’t you got homes and families?" When they hear the answer: “Well we care about you,” they aren’t used to that, it’s alien to them.’
For more stories of how churches are making a difference in their neighbourhoods, visit www.communitymission.org.uk
- Please pray for One25’s work in Bristol: ask that God will bring liberation and hope to many more women this New Year.
- As government cuts and recession bite, pray that One25 and other community mission projects will receive sufficient funding to continue their services – and even expand them.
- Pray for church volunteers across the UK: that God will strengthen and encourage them in their roles, and fill them with compassion and joy.
One Voice
We pray because we're desperate for God - to walk with him... in step with his will for the world.
Join our global poverty prayer movement. Click here for more information