Impact Report 2017/18 by inHope.

CRISIS CENTRE MINISTRIES

IMPACT REPORT

| 2017 18

Who we are 30 years ago, Crisis Centre Ministries was just a small group of Christians going out to offer help to those sleeping rough on the streets of Bristol. On one such occasion, a local parish priest went with them. A homeless man, seeing the vicar, asked a challenging question: “What does the church do for someone like me?” Ever since then, we’ve been working with the Church in Bristol to be an answer to that question. Through four projects we offer food, shelter, support and love to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our community.

What we do

East Bristol Foodbank Providing emergency food parcels, debt and utility cost support, and financial financial help help to to support and people in in need, need through people through four four church outlets outlets in in East community East Bristol. Bristol.

Wild Goose Life Recovery Drop-in Centre

Wild Goose Drop-in LifeCentre Recovery

Teaching lifefresh skills,laundry, creating A hot meal, a mutual support and nurturing shower, support and advice.the faith of people in without recovery. Offered to all, conditions or criteria.

Spring of Hope Bristol’s only women-only night shelter. A safe, warm bed for women fleeing homelessness, domestic abuse and other challenging situations.

"The level of social need continues to grow at national and local level."

Looking back It would be impossible to highlight all that has been achieved over the last year, but just a few of the things that come to mind are the 2nd successful year of the Bristol Churches Winter Night Shelter, the Wild Goose being nationally recognised with an award from Premier Christian Radio, and CCM having senior representation on the Council’s housing and homelessness challenge group. But there will be more about that in the following pages.

As I reflect on the past year I’m hugely encouraged to see what has been achieved through the staff team and wonderful group of volunteers who all work tirelessly to share God’s heart of love with some of the most vulnerable people in this city of ours. At the outset I’d like to express my sincere thanks on behalf of the Board of Trustees to everyone who has been involved. The level of social need continues to grow at national and local level. Homelessness is a key challenge, and this is a significant priority for Bristol City Council. Crisis Centre Ministries works to address this challenge in a number of ways including recognising that meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people experiencing or journeying out of homelessness requires a broad range of support.

We look forward to the coming year with a sense of excitement and expectation as to what God is doing across the city and confirm on behalf of CCM our ongoing commitment to seek humbly to serve God in all that we do as a charity. Blessings, Andy Street, Chair of Trustees 3

EAST BRISTOL FOODBANK

Providing emergency food parcels, debt and utility cost support and financial help to people in need, through four community outlets in East Bristol. “It might sound obvious, but a person coming to a foodbank rarely simply needs food. That’s why, last year, we started to shift our focus from just giving people emergency food parcels to also helping them to gain more control of their finances. Our More Than Food programme started with training a small team of volunteers and then mentoring them in their new roles. We then began the process of training the frontline volunteers at our different foodbank outlets – getting them clued up on the sort of things that can be done to help people. This has gone well, and we’ve now got three volunteers from each outlet with the knowledge and skills to help people beyond simply giving them a food parcel. We’re now working more with our volunteers to build their confidence in interviewing clients and taking certain actions that will really make a difference to people’s lives.” Andy Irwin, East Bristol Foodbank Manager

In 2017 | 18

170

4,298 people fed*

people

supported through More Than Food

31 budgets established for struggling people

*Including

1,687 children

reduced water bills

people helped with acquiring essential home appliances

That’s nearly

39,000 meals Almost

40 tonnes of food John’s story John was suffering with alcohol misuse, a chronic health condition and mental health challenges. On top of this, he was also struggling with his personal finances. His local vicar recommended the More Than Food service at East Bristol Foodbank.

says John. He recalls that the support felt like having “so many good people wrapped around me.” Since meeting with Andy and getting support from his church, John has made progress in his alcohol recovery, and is now five months sober. He’s hoping to start college in September, and is considering studying something that will enable him to make use of his lived experience with alcoholism and his health condition to help other people. He is starting to volunteer as a mentor with a project to help people facing similar challenges.

With Andy’s help, John successfully applied for the Warm Home Discount scheme. For the first four or five months, his water bill was reduced to zero, and following this was set at a fixed cost of £5.00 per month. He was also awarded £140 in vouchers towards his electricity bill. “[More Than Food] made a massive difference and came at just the right time,” 5

LIFE RECOVERY Teaching life skills, creating mutual support and nurturing the faith of people in recovery.

“It’s been a transitional year for Life Recovery.

From Chris, a member of Life Recovery:

We’ve been redeveloping the LIFE course, with our focus shifting significantly towards developing emotional health alongside practical life skills within the context of recovery. In this way we can help those who get caught in self-defeating patterns of behaviour and thinking.

“In the last year, both Stu and Sophy have been amazing.

We’ve also been working on ‘franchising’ the Life Recovery Group model and resources, and the LIFE course, for churches and other agencies to use. Our aim is to multiply the number of groups and courses running, and in doing so reach more people and put local faith communities at the heart of these recovery communities (and vice versa). In addition to our weekly groups and course we have been working more and more with people needing one-on-one support in times of crisis, uncertainty and change.

I’ve had a really bad amphetamine addiction for about 20 years now. I came to rebuild in 2014, but with a really arrogant attitude, I suppose you could say. But as the years have gone on, working with these lovely people, my second family in so many ways, I’ve come to realise now that I am a complete and utter mess!

Each individual story can challenge notions of what successful support work looks like… and what “living well in recovery” means. One client’s victory was that they had showered that week – and that was a really big deal given their mental health struggles. We love the big headlines of someone getting sober or finding a job or getting housed. These are great stories, but there are hundreds of mini victories happening that don’t make the headlines. These people are doing well, even though they might still seem to be ill.”

And yet, no matter how much I hate it, Stu always says he sees the best in me. No matter what mood you’re in or how depressed you are, he always seems to find that inner smile in people. Without him, in the last two weeks, I don’t think I’d be here. I think I would’ve just given up.”

Stuart Leitch, Life Recovery Manager 6

"These are great stories, but there are hundreds of mini victories happening that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the headlines."

In 2017 | 18

LRG

recovery group sessions run

100 40

people trained across

people supported through recovery

churches

LIFE course updated and rerun with volunteers working with

paid staff members

separate Life Recovery Group communities 7

new students

Bristol’s only women-only night shelter. A safe, warm bed for women fleeing homelessness or domestic abuse. addiction issues, and are therefore assessed as low need. Even if they have priority needs the housing shortage means that there is nothing available.

“In terms of women moving on, it’s been a difficult year. But we have seen some of our women moving on into the right accommodation, like the re-commissioned dry houses, before going on to rehab. On a smaller level, we’ve been able to help our women who are working by giving them packed lunches, rather than having to buy food, which helps them to save a bit of money.

Where does God fit into this? Spring of Hope was born from prayer. God is the centre of everything we do. Whether it’s waking up in the middle of the night, or helping a woman get ready first thing in the morning, God is at the centre of it. We each feel that it’s a calling. Some people feel called to do housekeeping for us during the day. Some women feel called to be a duty manager on one of the night shifts. We work from the Body of Christ, each with our own expertise. Being unconditional, opening up to work from Jesus’ strength. It’s interesting how, in a discrete way, the women at Spring of Hope will approach each of us for prayer. And only God could be doing that – that’s not us.”

We’re starting to see an increase in the number of younger women coming to us. They often have complex issues, so it’s not straightforward for them to move on into suitable accommodation. It can be a revolving door – the same women coming back to us, seeking support. We’re also finding more women coming through our doors where the Council, through no fault of their own, are unable to help. Sometimes it’s because the women don’t have a connection to Bristol or because they don’t have mental health or

Val Thompson, Spring of Hope Manager

SPRING OF Jane’s story, told by Val:

abused as a child. The same went for running a shower, or even just a tap. Her abuser always attacked her in the bathroom, and just the sound of running water triggered those traumatic memories.

Jane had been rough sleeping for almost 15 years. You could see and smell months’ worth of dirt on her clothes and skin. She’d never flush the toilet, have a shower or even wash her face, because it used to scare her. She had incredibly complex issues, and faced every challenge that a homeless woman could.

But now, after staying with us for a long time at Spring of Hope, she showers every day, puts on fresh clothes every day, and even goes to the hairdresser to get her hair done. And we meet for lunch every month.

We eventually found out the reason she didn’t like flushing the toilet: it reminded her of being 8

In 2017 | 18

117

new women given emergency shelter

175 homeless and vulnerable women placed into medium or long term supported accommodation, including:

dedicated volunteers

Now open 6 nights a week (up from 5 previously)

from the prison 18 women and probation pathway asylum seekers 5 and pathway from the refuge

women from the trafficking and exploitation pathway

HOPE "It’s interesting how, in a discrete way, the women at Spring of Hope will approach each of us for prayer. And only God could be doing that – that’s not us.” 9

A hot meal, fresh laundry, a shower, support and advice. Offered to all, without conditions or criteria.

find themselves rough sleeping and homeless, which is being acknowledged both locally and nationally with an increase in media interest. It has placed increasing demands on our staff and volunteers, as people’s personal situations have also become more complex. There appear to be so many needs and not enough solutions, which at times can be demoralising.

“This year we have welcomed Andy, our new Deputy Manager for Provision, onto the Wild Goose team. It’s been great to see the team getting to know each other and working well together. They provide warm food and a place to rest for those who are hungry and weary, and our Engagement team helps them with other needs like clothing, benefits and housing.

This has caused me to reflect and pray, and ask the question, ‘Where are you, Lord?’ I have been encouraged as God has reassured me that he is in it with us and as Christians we bring Light and Hope. God is in what we do at the Wild Goose, his Spirit is with us and what we do is where Jesus would be.”

It’s been a challenging year because of the rapidly changing environment in which we work. There has been a sharp increase in those who

Jonnie Angel, Wild Goose Drop-in Centre Manager

THE WILD GOOSE DROP-IN CENTRE here. They’ve saved my life. It sounds a bit melodramatic, but that’s the truth! I would’ve just spiralled into depression and drink. They’re really, really kind people, in there. You get all sorts of help.

“I was suffering from depression, confusion, hopelessness, basically. Then one of my housemates said, “Do you know there’s a place round the corner, a café, that’ll help you?” I explained I didn’t have any money, but he said, “No no, it’s free!”

It’s just nice to know that somebody cares, really.”

I’ve been coming here most days for over two years now I think. I’ve made friends here. Without the Wild Goose, I wouldn’t be

Simon, a guest at the Wild Goose

In October 2017, the Wild Goose Drop-in Centre was awarded the top prize at the Premier Love Britain + Ireland Awards, for the way it demonstrated ‘Christian love in action’. The award is a testament to the hard work and generosity of all our volunteers and supporters. 10

In 2017 | 18 652

sessions of listening support and signposting to other services

17 advice sessions regarding housing and benefits

352

toiletries given out

445 items of clothing given out

470

regular volunteers

129

volunteer shifts from local businesses

368

sessions of telephone and computer use

including 31 Duty Managers and seven van drivers

loads of guestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; laundry washed and dried

39 referrals to

246

other agencies

food bags given out

81 sleeping bags given out

City Office

Back to school

Jonathan Lee, our CEO, worked as part of a multiagency group with Bristol City Council to address Bristol’s homelessness problems with a joined-up approach.

As part of his work in the Wild Goose Drop-in Centre, Jonnie Angel often visits local primary schools to educate young children about homelessness. They’re often in areas where people might not be aware of the extent of homelessness in other parts of the city. We also work with student teams from the National Citizen Service, who regularly volunteer in the Wild Goose.

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Rough Sleeping Partnership Crisis Centre Ministries is a member of the Rough Sleeping Partnership, together with St Mungo’s, The Julian Trust and Caring in Bristol. Last year we launched the ‘Safer Off the Streets’ campaign to raise money for Bristol’s night shelters. Part of this includes the contactless donation points, which you might have seen in the news and around the city. We also oversaw coordination of the Bristol Churches Winter Night Shelter project.

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Local businesses, Corporate Social Responsibility In the past year, we’ve had volunteer teams helping out from businesses across the city, including M&S and DPD UK. Local businesses also support us in other needs, including staff teams fundraising to help us buy new appliances.

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Understanding Addiction and Supporting Recovery in the Church

Each year, Stu and Sophy from our Life Recovery team host a training series for people from across Bristol churches, equipping them to help people in their church who are recovering from addiction and abuse. Overall, there were 101 participants from over 40 churches and organisations across Bristol. 13

Vision for the Vulnerable Each month, staff from CCM meet with staff and volunteers from other Bristol charities to pray for vulnerable and marginalised women in Bristol.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

With Steve Smith, our Volunteers Coordinator

What do they do? People generously give their time and skills in all sorts of ways across the organisation.

Throughout its history, Crisis Centre Ministries has depended on the passion and hard work of its volunteers to serve vulnerable and marginalised people in Bristol. None of our projects could happen without them.

Who volunteers? The vast majority of our volunteers come from the churches of Bristol and the Greater Bristol area. They see CCM as one opportunity to put their faith into practice by serving amongst some of Bristol’s most vulnerable people. We have volunteers from all walks of life, many denominations, aged between 18 and 80! “It makes a difference to me to be able to volunteer. I know what a hole people can be in. I’ve seen it.” Ian, Foodbank volunteer and former Foodbank guest

Over

500

dedicated volunteers across the charity

In 2017/18, in the Wild Goose Drop-in Centre alone, we were given:

The Wild Goose Drop-in Centre is indebted to people’s kitchen, management, storage and engagement skills. In Life Recovery Group, volunteers provide informal support and welcome to people who are on their way to recovery from addiction. Foodbank volunteers welcome people, pack food in the warehouse, and help with other money-saving initiatives, like helping people reduce their utility bills or draw up a weekly budget. At Spring of Hope, we have volunteers who commit to staying overnight to care for the women sleeping there. “The great thing is that it really is a two-way rapport with the people that we help. I can see that they get as much out of me being here as I get from being here.” Vanessa, volunteer at the Wild Goose Drop-in Centre

“I am happy to have been useful and helpful. I have met very interesting people in my time.” John, retired Duty Manager at the Wild Goose Drop-in Centre

From all the above you can see how important our volunteers are, and will understand that we are grateful to each and every one.

That’s equal to about

16,000 hours

of voluntary service 14

at the Living Wage

Financial summary Total income: £578,429 Total expenditure: £552,013 Net surplus: £26,416

Income Businesses & Organisations – £51.8k (9%) Churches – £60k (10%) Individuals – £266.6k (46%) Trusts & Foundations – £187.5k (32%) Other Income – £12.6k (2%)

Total – £578,400

Expenditure Wild Goose – £205.4k (37%) LIFE Recovery – £95k (17%) Spring of Hope –£98.5k (18%) East Bristol Foodbank – £72.5k (13%) Fundraising – £80.5k (15%)

Total – £552,000

Did you know? We received an estimated £319,200’s worth of donated items in 2017/18. That’s items like mugs, sleeping bags, cleaning products, cooking oil, men’s and women’s clothing and much, much more! We’re really grateful for the practical donations that people give, and how quickly and generously people respond

to our urgent requests on social media and in our email newsletter. Practical donations play a vital part in the running of our projects, and allow us to divert funds to where they’re most urgently needed.

Numbers have been rounded to the nearest hundred pounds. Our full accounts and Trustees’ report are available on our website.

The journey ahead Above all, our ongoing work and future developments remain grounded in our trust in God who is faithful. Your partnership and whatever direct or indirect involvement you are able to offer all contribute towards the aspirations we’ve set out. We are excited and hopeful about the journey ahead and becoming even better placed to support those who would ask “what’s the Church doing for someone like me?” Please join us as we follow our call in this new direction.

It’s been another busy year at CCM. But what’s next? In the face of rising homelessness and poverty in Bristol and across the UK, simply carrying on doing the same things in the same way isn’t an option. In recent months we’ve moved our focus away from individual projects, asking ourselves, “What’s the bigger picture here?” We’ve begun thinking about our work and our plans for the future more holistically. Thinking in terms of what, across all of our projects, we can offer marginalised and vulnerable people in Bristol.

Jonathan Lee, Chief Executive

The most important thing – and the starting point for all of our work – is radical acceptance. Taking people as they are. This fundamental foundation then enables us to offer further provision, shelter, life skills, encounter, employability, engagement and future housing. In time for our AGM in October, we’ll be publishing our development plan for 2022, which I encourage you to read. We’ve set ourselves a wide range of ambitious goals, all building on the acceptance that underpins all of our work. They will also strengthen our operational support, and see us working more and more in partnership across the city.

Getting involved Everyone can make a difference to the homeless and vulnerable people in our community. If you’re not already part of the work that we do, here are some ways to get involved:

Volunteer

Donate

If you’d like to give your time to serving vulnerable and marginalised people, you can volunteer at one of our projects. There are a range of volunteer roles available across the organisation, suitable for differing gifts and availabilities. Contact Steve Smith, our Volunteer Coordinator, if you’d like to find out more: 0117 405 7112.

With the number of homeless people increasing in Bristol, your donations are appreciated now more than ever. They help provide hot meals, shelter, love and hope to our city’s most destitute. To find out more about donating, visit our website or call us on 0117 405 7113.

Pray

Fundraise

As a Christian charity, prayer is integral to all that we do. If you’d like to join the group of volunteers that prays regularly for the work that we do and the people who we work with, you can sign up for our prayer email newsletter via our website.

If you’d like to raise money for homeless people in Bristol, we’d love to work with you. Whether you’re thinking about hosting an event or taking part in a challenge, visit our website to find out more about fundraising with us. 18

What your support means to our guests: “Just to say a very heartfelt thanks for everything that you kind and loving people do for us. It’s not only life-saving, but literally lifechanging.”

“You can just come as you are. You can just be yourself, and no one will judge you.”

“You’ve fed me, clothed me… Without places like this it would just be horrible. You would starve to death.”

“When I got there it felt like one big family. I was safe and warm and getting help.”

“I’ll never forget the kindness and support all your volunteers showed me. Now I’m volunteering to give a little back to my community.”

“God was working through open hands and his love would not let me go. Thank you to every person who has played a part in giving me my life back. I’m forever grateful.”

CRISIS CENTRE MINISTRIES 32 Stapleton Road Easton, Bristol BS5 0QY

0117 330 1230 admin@crisis-centre.org.uk Find out more: www.crisis-centre.org.uk facebook.com/crisiscentreministries @crisiscentre Registered Charity No.: 298528 Charitable Company No.: 2214814