STREET WISE January – April 2016
Farewell to Graham Donald / The Chair of Trustees says goodbye… Not just social action / The East Bristol Foodbank shares about what else they provide other than food.
THE SUPPORTER MAGAZINE OF CRISIS CENTRE MINISTRIES
“I can’t stay away from this place for too long because I miss it.”
Contents / 1 News in brief / 2 The fruits and veg of our labour / 4 Not just social action / 6 Farewell to Graham Donald / 8 Client story – Glyn / 10 Volunteer story – Selina / 12 Finance / 14 Sleep out / 15 Upcoming events / 16 Volunteer opportunities /
Editorial
About us
We are very blessed here at CCM to have volunteers who donate their time and talents to us, and significantly impact and grow the work we do. Graham Donald is one such individual, who served on the board and as Chair of the Trustees for a number of years. Graham has now passed on the mantle of leadership and we shall miss him. In our interview with him, find out about the highs and lows of his time as Chair.
We are a Christian charity that has been working in Bristol for over 30 years, dedicated to helping the most vulnerable and marginalised in society achieve healthy and independent lives.
In this edition, one of our clients called Glyn shares how he struggles with alcoholism and how the LITE course has helped him. The Foodbank also gave us a glimpse into what else they provide beyond food and social action. The annual Sleep Out is coming up in February and we invite you to participate to help us fundraise for our work and raise awareness about homelessness in Bristol. You can read about Mary’s experience of what it was like to be homeless for one night. Come, join us and experience it for yourself, whilst supporting a worthwhile cause. CCM
Our mission is to empower personal change through offering food, shelter, hope and support through our four main projects – the Wild Goose drop-in centre, the Life Skills course, the East Bristol Foodbank and the Spring of Hope women’s night shelter. Cover Image: Our client Glyn volunteering in the Wild Goose drop-in centre preparing food for other clients. Contact Us 32 Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0QY T. 0117 330 1230 admin@crisis-centre.org.uk www.crisis-centre.org.uk Company No. 2214814 Registered Charity No. 298528
News in brief Life Recovery Group weekend away
“I can’t express how grateful I am for this beautiful weekend and the effort and kindness you gave…a weekend I will never forget”
In September, our partner project the Life Recovery Group went on a weekend away. This support group for those recovering from addiction, had an amazing time with lots of laughs, fun and deepening friendships. Here are some comments from the weekend:
“Thanks so very much…best break. You are both a blessing my heart melted. I can’t thank you enough.” Giving thanks for...
“I’ve been seeing a therapist for 3 years and I’ve never had anything positive to say in our sessions, she always listens to my dark thoughts. She’ll be shocked when I go back to see her this week as I’m in a great place and I’ve got so much good stuff to tell her about this weekend”
■■ Four years of emergency shelter provided by the Spring of Hope women’s night shelter. ■■ An increase in interest and conversation regarding addressing the issue of homelessness in Bristol amongst those who have available resources.
“I had an awesome time and what made it more special for me was the love, kindness and everlasting support that I felt, you were all consistent and what touched me the most was the trust that you gave me….you have all taught me about what it is to give”
■■ Wild Goose service users requesting prayer for difficult situations they are facing.
“Words of gratitude, thanks, and love for an inspirational and insightful weekend”
■■ Those who are homeless, as the number increases each month.
■■ Those expressing an interest in volunteering we receive weekly requests. Praying for...
■■ Those who we have walked alongside and are struggling with potential to relapse. ■■ A new Duty Manager for one Thursday in four. ■■ Seeing the love of Jesus impacting on the service users’ lives.
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The fruits & veg of our labour by Esther Lambert, Allotment Project Manager
In the summer we had a generous financial donation from a lady who spent 6 months volunteering with us. She was great fun and got stuck into life at the allotment. We discussed as a group how we wanted to spend the money. We decided on a new BBQ and picnic table, which was definitely money well spent.
The allotment project is the smallest project at Crisis Centre and has been going for two and a half years now. For me, this project has always been about building relationships within the group, enjoying gardening and being part of a family. I am very proud of the clients who attend and I have seen them grow in maturity and character over the years. It’s not a perfect family, but whose family is? Going to the allotment on a Monday afternoon with the clients is one of the highlights of my week. I have suffered from depression myself and discovered that being out in the fresh air helped me tremendously in terms of motivation, energy levels and a sense of enjoyment.
Building fires, making tea, holding BBQs, weeding, planting and harvesting are regular features of our days at the allotment. Conversation flows and there are many jokes! Spring and summer are the most exciting times of year for us. Planting tiny seeds and seeing them grow is so satisfying and rewarding. We have seen a bumper crop of vegetables this year including courgettes, sweetcorn, tomatoes, beans, peas, squash and lots more. We take as much veg home as we want and the rest is used at the Wild Goose drop-in centre.
This spring and summer have been lots of fun. We have had a group of about 6 of us who regularly commit each week. Having a small group enables the project to have a ‘family’ feel to it which enables us all to feel safe and comfortable with each other. As I reflect on the last few months, I have seen the clients change especially in the way they learn to communicate with each other and handle conflict. For example, a couple of weeks ago two of the clients had a disagreement and were shouting at each other for a while. They both came to the conclusion that they were having a tough day and were struggling with a few personal issues. They apologised to each other and had a big hug. That wouldn’t have happened several months ago when they began coming to the project!
What a privilege for me to spend Monday afternoons doing what I love with a fantastic group of diverse people! The allotment project provides a form of therapy for clients with a history of longterm problems such as a criminal history, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health issues and homelessness.Clients grow in self-esteem and confidence as they learn to sow and harvest produce. 2
Not just social action Many clients at the Foodbank have an image of God in their minds and for many it isn’t good. God appears to be a severely uncaring monster based on their experiences of life. At the Foodbank we try to show them an alternative picture of God. A God who cares and loves them. We do this by offering food, listening and helping them access other specialist agencies. We know God isn’t a monster and our hope is to communicate this in an understated way. Our projects are not just social action projects – they are also trust builders in a God who cares.
by Andy Irwin, Foodbank Project Manager As a member of the Trussell Trust’s network of Foodbanks we have focused on the underlying causes of people’s poverty as well as giving them food. We do this by signposting people to other services and also by having other services work within our outlets. For example Susan from Shelter has been working fortnightly in our St Mark’s outlet, helping people to work through a myriad of financial issues. As a Christian project, our twin goals are to help people at their point of need and also to demonstrate God’s love for them.
Here are a few recent stories of how the Foodbank has helped people coming for food. Thomas had been out of the country for six months which meant that he was not allowed 4
“We hope the time and care we have given to them has a lasting impact both in practical ways and in their view of God.� access to public funds. He had been sleeping rough under the railway arches. Each week he came in and we talked to him about DHI who specialise in helping people with addictions. They happened to be in the Foodbank at the time and we got them to talk together. He had a drinking problem so they were able to get him onto one of their programmes and subsequently place him in accommodation.
him and his family. Our partner charity discussed the medical assessment with him so that he knew what to expect. Mark was also advised to come into the Shelter office for a benefit check, and while he was in the office Shelter called the Dept. for Work & Pensions, and made sure that he was having the correct premiums added to his ESA award. Mark was told that he was going to be placed straight into the support group as of that week. The carers’ allowance was applied for during this visit and this was awarded. He received a lump sum back payment for the missing premiums on his benefit income.
Mark came to the Foodbank following a health problem which meant he was not able to work. He already had employment and support allowance (ESA) in place and was in the assessment phase. He had just been awarded personal independence payments. He asked about what additional benefits there may be for
We hope the time and care we give to clients has a lasting impact both in practical ways and in their view of God. 5
Farewell to Graham Donald Having served 13 years as a board member, 8 years of those as Chair of the Trustees, Graham Donald has moved on to new pastures. We sat down with him to record his parting words‌
“I will miss the different Christians from many church backgrounds who work together living out our love for each other and the Lord.” the trustees and staff. My thanks go to all who worked to ensure that the projects ran smoothly.
How does it feel to be leaving Crisis Centre Ministries?
I feel relieved but also sad. Being involved with Crisis Centre Ministries has been one of the defining periods of my life. From a spiritual point of view, it has been powerful and illuminating. Whilst here I have left one church and joined another. In the difficult time of leaving the first church I appreciated the sense of community here. So I will miss the sense of fellowship. I will also miss the different Christians from many church backgrounds who work together living out our love for each other and for the Lord.
What makes you proud about being part of CCM?
I am proud that God did wonderful things and that, mostly, I didn’t get in His way. I helped to appoint some key staff members. We have been blessed with exceptional staff. What advice would you give to the new Chair?
To be willing to listen, to take prayerful decisions, to be strategic in decision-making but to be aware that God may have something up His sleeve that we don’t know about. To surround yourself with wise people and to not think that everything depends on you.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your time as Chair? Everything to do with the move to this building (in 2010 we moved from our original premises in St Paul’s to Carpenter House on Stapleton Road). Otherwise, many wonderful things that have occurred since couldn’t have happened. Some extraordinary events (including the Secret Millionaire) enabled this building to be renovated and occupied. There were many amazing acts of provision. One example is when I opened an envelope from a trust that we had applied to, and there was a cheque for £44,000 inside. I had expected a few thousand pounds so the amount floored me. So many individual people gave sacrificially; that was a real blessing.
What plans do you have for the future?
That partly depends on the electorate as I am running to be a city councillor next year. If successful that will be a big change. I would like to spend more time with my grandchildren. I might go and offer my services to another Christian charity, but I am going to await the election result. I am also a member of a committee, two working groups and a steering group (all related to blood transfusion) that keep me busy! From all at CCM we want to say a big thank you to Graham for 13 years of leadership and service. We will miss him and wish him every blessing for the future. From 1 January 2016, Andrew Street took over the reins of chairmanship. You can catch his interview in the next edition.
The other moment was the Spring of Hope building. At an AGM we realised the likely need for a shelter for women in Bristol as council facilities were closing down. And to have someone come along to offer the provision of a building was truly amazing. What was your most challenging moment as Chair?
The transitions that CCM went through in 2014 were very difficult and challenging for 7
Client story
Glyn “People here come up to me and tell me how proud they are of me. It’s showing that I can change. They’re all ace.”
My dad used to make homemade wine. At the age of ten or eleven I used to have a little drop. And it steadily got worse over the years. I used to get bullied at school and I was at a special needs boarding school because my family couldn’t handle me. My best mate got killed when he was 15/16 and that shook me up, we used to go everywhere together. Lots of people I have been close with aren’t around anymore. By the time I was in my teens, I would go out with my mates and do anything to get a drink. I sometimes didn’t know when to stop drinking. I’ve had three breakdowns in my life. I couldn’t cope. I am an alcoholic, I just have a taste for drink. I would drink lager, wine, cider whatever my mood would take me. Sometimes it got so bad that I black out. I don’t know how I got home from where I came from. I’ve been through detox a few times, but it’s never worked out.
The course made me feel better because I was learning things as I was going along. Sometimes something would happen, and I would come back and talk it over with someone here and I would feel better. And then I started to learn to control my ways. Since then I am totally different to what I was like before. If it weren’t for this place I wouldn’t be where I am now. Everybody is so helpful and so loving. People here come up to me and tell me how proud they are of me. It’s showing that I can change. They’re all ace.
Just before I came onto the LITE course, I was going to some groups to give up the drinking, trying to get help. I heard about LITE and I thought I would give it a go. When I first started I found it a bit hard. It was a challenge because it got me among people. Our group was a nice little group. I ain’t looked back since. It’s really helped me. I could never use a computer properly but I can now. I can talk more civil with people than I did before. The course helped me with writing that I never did before. My reading has improved. I read the Bible a lot, every night. And I pray. I believe in God because I know for a fact that He is there for me.
I can’t stay away from this place for too long because I miss it. I’ve been barred a few times. But I’ve learned I can’t carry on the way I was. Last week something happened, a guy was having a go at me, imagine if that was two years ago. I walked away. Esther, Katie and Stuart (CCM staff) told me they were so proud of me for walking away. I was so chuffed. That chap couldn’t help himself that day. This place has done a lot for me. I just feel so happy. 9
Volunteer story
Selina
Selina first came to volunteer at Crisis Centre in February 2015. She had taken early retirement and, with more free time on her hands, was looking for some volunteering opportunities. She and her husband had known of CCM since hearing a talk from one of our project leaders at their church many years ago, and had always been interested in the work. Selina currently volunteers all day on Mondays in the Wild Goose, and has also been coming to sort out the store room on some Tuesdays. She has been enjoying getting everything in the store rooms sorted and ordered, which is no mean feat! Selina enjoys volunteering at CCM because it feels really useful and worthwhile – there’s no doubt that what she’s doing for people is of immediate value.
I really like about volunteering here – there’s always something to do and I always feel useful. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to volunteer here. The other volunteers are really great and fun to be with – everyone is pretty cheerful (nearly all of the time!). I really love helping in the drop in centre and getting to know people who come regularly/ recognising faces and just being able to help feed them. It’s such a basic thing but something we all need. Very grateful to God that he’s allowing me to do this.”
Selina told us “When I first started I was surprised at how busy it is! But that’s what 10
“The other volunteers are really great and fun to be with – everyone is pretty cheerful (nearly all of the time!)”
Finance How Much the Projects Cost
£1.25
for a meal at the Wild Goose drop-in centre.
£40
per bed per night at the Spring of Hope women’s night shelter.
The Wild Goose serves
600 meals per day.
Spring of Hope provides
12
beds 5 nights a week 52 weeks of the year.
£500
The LIFE course teaches
per client per LIFE module.
clients per year.
£28
In 2014, the foodbank gave out
for a foodbank parcel.
120
1729 parcels.
Monthly Operational Cost £40,000 Clients receive our services free of charge as well as key working, access to specialist help and further support provided by staff and volunteers. The above figures give a guidance of how much it costs to put on these services and where donors’ contributions are used.
12
30%
Income
Regular Giving
70%
We receive a high percentage of our income as one-off or irregular giving (70%). Knowing the level of fundraising to expect in the coming months and years helps us to effectively plan our services where they are needed most. If at all possible please regularly support our work.
One-off giving
Churches 10% Businesses and organisations 13% Individuals 48%
Trusts & Foundations 21% Other (charity shop, rent, events) 8%
A big thank you to all our donors for your generous support. 13
Sleep Out Experience Mary volunteers at the Wild Goose Drop-In Centre and she participated in the Sleep Out event for the first time last year. This was her experience: “I arrive at my cold destination for the night. Anticipation and anxiety build as I select a bleak, grey corner. I lie down. I glance around me at the other participants lying beneath plastic sheets, like rubbish that has been put out for tomorrow’s collection. The street lights shine intensely into my eyes, robbing me of any prospect of sleep. No smiling, familiar faces; no good night kisses from loved ones: - just relentless noise, wind and light offering no peace. The ground, so hard and cold beneath me, allows no sense of comfort. As rain falls, it leaves tiny kisses of ice on my face. The new day seems so far away; the minutes tick round; each one
bringing the promise of the long awaited morning. The dawn brings, for me at least, the promise of a hot shower, warm food and a soft, welcoming bed. What, I wonder, is on offer for the souls who live this life? It brings another bleak, unfriendly day of persistent tiredness and having to do this all again. Tears begin to sting my eyes, not just because of the cold and discomfort but from anger burning in my chest at the injustice and inequality I see.” In 2015, the Sleep Out raised over £20,000 for the vital work of the Crisis Centre. Please join us for the 2016 event to help us raise funds for those whose reality is living on the streets. For more information please go to www.crisiscentre.org.uk/sleep-out-2016 or email Holly at holly@crisis-centre.org.uk.
“Tears begin to sting my eyes, not just because of the cold and discomfort but from anger burning in my chest at the injustice and inequality I see.”
Upcoming events Sleep Out 2016 Date & Time: 26 & 27 February, 10pm – 7am Venue: Pip n’ Jay Church, Tower Hill, Bristol BS2 0ET Come and join us at the annual Bristol Christian Action Network Sleep Out to raise awareness of homelessness and help us raise funds for the vital work that we do. For more details please go to www.crisis-centre.org.uk/sleep-out-2016 or email holly.lloyd@crisis-centre.org.uk or call 0117 405 7113.
Women’s Breakfast Date: Saturday 12 March Start Time: 9:30am Finish Time: 12:00pm Cost: £5:50 per person Venue: Wild Goose Drop-In Centre, 32 Stapleton Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0QY All women are invited to come along to enjoy female Christian fellowship, a full cooked breakfast (vegetarian option available) and to share inspirational stories. Please RSVP to val.thompson@crisis-centre.org.uk or call 0117 330 1230.
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Volunteer
Opportunities Our volunteers do a magnificent job, often in quite challenging situations. Our needs change constantly, but here are the top five roles that we need help with at the moment. Training will be given for all roles, and we do try to adapt the role and hours to the person.
1. Wild Goose – Cleaners for Tuesday Mornings.
4. LIFE – Male and Female Mentors Mentoring opportunities involving one-two hours a fortnight to befriend Life Recovery Group members. As a mentor you would provide valuable support to help members work towards their emotional, spiritual or practical goals, including encouraging social activities and offering listening support.
Every Tuesday morning the Goose is closed for deep cleaning. Sadly it has proven very difficult to find volunteers willing to help clean, and this puts a great strain on the few willing souls who do come along. Whilst the rewards are not obvious, the contribution to the work is enormous including: the premises are more welcoming for people using our services; our food hygiene rating is kept high; and we can open more often.
5. Wild Goose – Evening Duty managers Opportunities for two or three people who are willing to lead an evening session in the Wild Goose Drop-In Centre. This involves organising an (existing) Volunteer Team, meeting and greeting the people who come in, and ensuring the Goose is left ready for the next day.
2. Spring of Hope – Female Night Support Volunteers We need women to help with the night shelter, but particularly for those able to be Duty Managers which involves overseeing the shelter through the night.
If you can help or would like more information, please contact Steve Smith. Tel: 0117 405 7112 Email: steve.smith@crisis-centre.org.uk
3. Foodbank – Friday Morning Set-Up Volunteers invited to sort food at the St Mark’s Foodbank ready for distribution in the afternoon. Hours from about 11:00–13:00 on Friday morning. 16
Five
reasons why you should donate today 1 2 3 4 5
The average age of death for a homeless man is 47, the average age of death for a homeless woman is 43 (a).
Up to 70% of homeless people have mental health issues (b).
The pressures of the economic downturn, lack of affordable housing and housing benefit cuts mean more people are facing homelessness. 37% of homeless people have no qualifications whatsoever. The experience of homelessness itself deskills and isolates (c). Each homeless person carries an annual cost to the state of £26,000, which includes the cost of benefits, hostel accommodation and care of children (d). a. Crisis (2012) Homelessness Kills b. St. Mungo’s (2009) Down and Out c. Crisis (2013) Homelessness Briefing d. New Economics Foundation research (2008)
Please donate today to help homeless and vulnerable people receive food, shelter and support.
£10 £30 £40 provides eight hot meals for a homeless person.
provides for one family’s emergency food for three days. 17
provides for a bed, shelter and a hot meal for a vulnerable woman.
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Come and be a part of our life-impacting work. We are a small charity and there is always more that can be done. We need volunteers across the whole organisation from back office admin to front line support of clients. Call Steve Smith, our volunteer coordinator on 0117 405 7112 and we will find a role for your skills.
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