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Salvation Army students win learning awards

SWAN LODGE

THE Salvation Army’s Lifehouse in Sunderland won multiple prizes at the One Awards Celebration of Learning 2021.

Sonia Ritchie-Park (pictured), a support worker and tutor who leads classes at the Lifehouse, received a Learners Choice for Tutor award.

One student said: ‘From the very start, Sonia put me at ease… I have gained so much confidence from the courses available and the way they are delivered. Sonia creates a very safe environment to learn and is extremely encouraging and supportive. I have not only grown educationally but also as a person, allowing me to re-engage socially. I cannot thank and praise her enough.’

The Lifehouse Tenancy Achievement Group received a Learning Group award. Many of the students have overcome substantial personal challenges and this is the first learning experience they have completed in a number of years. For some, this was the first qualification they had ever completed.

Sonia said: ‘The quality of work they produced was fantastic and it was a joy to teach them. To be honest, in some ways they have helped me get through the past few months with their laughter and dedication.’

As the Lifehouse is considered a single bubble under Covid-19 restrictions, learners chose face-to-face teaching – adapting to remote learning when necessary. Covid-safe measures ensured students kept themselves and each other safe.

Swan Lodge resident Gillian, who found herself homeless a year ago, also received a Personal Progress award.

Sonia said: ‘Gillian was very shy and lacked confidence. To try and encourage her out of her room I asked her if she would like to come and do some cooking. This seemed to act as a switch as she began to enjoy learning so much that she signed up for any course that she could in her time at Swan Lodge.’

Gillian has completed a career preparation unit, functional skills maths entry 3, skills for employment, training and personal development, and is currently awaiting results of her English entry 3 and maths level 1 functional skills.

She has tackled several personal challenges in the past year, including the death of her partner.

Sonia added: ‘Gillian’s confidence has grown and now it would be out of place if she were in her room on her own. She has not only been a pleasure to teach but it has also been an honour to watch her grow academically and as a person. She really deserves recognition for how far she has come and her dedication to learning.’ – AR

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ST HELENS Two disused flats are being remodelled to serve as homes for rough sleepers as part of a £1 million project backed by funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, 108 people experiencing homelessness in St Helens were moved into temporary accommodation. Since then, the council and its partners, Torus and The Salvation Army, have worked closely to provide essential help for them to overcome barriers and lead new, more independent lives. The new flats will be fully staffed and benefit from 24-hour security. Residents will be supported by the Army until they are ready to move into a home they can sustain on their own. – AR

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Army demonstrates love to asylum seekers

USA WESTERN

EVERY day, more people cross the border from Mexico to the USA seeking asylum. And every day, The Salvation Army’s emergency response teams do what they can to feed, clothe and safely transfer these vulnerable people to new homes.

The number of migrants entering the USA has risen steadily in 2021. Border towns such as Yuma, Arizona, are overwhelmed as customs and border protection officials drop off asylum seekers who have completed exhausting journeys and still need to connect with their sponsors, who are likely to be a bus journey or flight away.

The increase in people seeking help has placed major strains on these small communities.

‘Local, state and federal governments are turning to The Salvation Army and asking us to help,’ said Emergency and Disaster Services Director John Berglund. ‘They’re looking to us because we have a history of providing these resources effectively.’

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services teams have provided more than 1,600 packaged meals and nearly 4,000 snacks in the California South Division alone. Five different migrant shelters offer about 175 rooms for migrant families and individuals.

Typically, people are at the shelters and in the care of service providers for 24 to 72 hours before the next stage in their journey.

‘Love is kind,’ said Jeannette Aird, director of Emergency Disaster Services for the Southwest Division. ‘Whoever it may be, we don’t discriminate. These individuals find themselves in a location here, and they’re unaware of where exactly they are, the culture, how our system works, everything. We can come alongside them and provide hope and a hot meal.’ – CJ

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New homelessness hub opens

ISLE OF WIGHT

A NEW homelessness centre has opened in Newport. The centre, which is run from a former converted emergency night shelter, offers a place for people to take showers, wash their clothes and receive hot refreshments. It is jointly funded by the Isle of Wight council and UK government and can accommodate up to 17 people at any point.

It operates with a ‘housing first’ approach. This means people are offered accommodation with wrap-around support to tackle the complex reasons for their homelessness, such as mental ill health, childhood trauma, addiction or fleeing domestic violence.

Matthew Smith, assistant regional manager for homelessness services, said: ‘The Salvation Army has worked with the Isle of Wight local authority and other agencies over many years to support those who face homelessness on the island.

‘We are pleased to be the provider of the innovative new Isle of Wight assessment hub, which will work with people to prevent rough sleeping and reduce homelessness.

‘We look forward to continuing to meet people’s individual needs so they can realise their potential and break the cycle of homelessness.’ – AR

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SALISBURY Faced with the challenge of clearing a huge surplus of donated items accumulated during lockdown, the corps has created a ‘pop up’ market-style stall on the hall forecourt. The new initiative coincides with the city centre street market, which is held close to the hall and attracts many people to the area. Customers are invited to inspect the items and make a donation for any goods taken as they feel appropriate. ‘Early signs are showing that this is going to be a very popular event,’ said corps officer Captain Martin Davison. ‘This new idea allows us to keep in touch with the community and perhaps support people with items they may need. We have received lots of encouraging comments and the stall is helping reduce the backlog of goods we have struggled to store during the past year’s various lockdowns.’ – AR

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OLDHAM FITTON HILL Family worker Kim Rogers and community worker Graham Rogers spoke to BBC Radio Manchester about the support they are providing to families in need. Fitton Hill is one of the most deprived areas of Oldham, and the Army and local community interest group Reel CIC work together to help those in need, including those impacted by furlough and job losses. As well as sourcing items such as prams and clothes, the corps offers a food club on Fridays and interacts online with families who show what they’ve cooked with their items. – AR

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Prayer Matters

by Prayer Network Support Major Jill Miller

SATURDAY 12 JUNE – ‘LET US GO OUT INTO THE WORLD WITH LOVE IN OUR HEARTS’ (SASB 925) Father God, we pray that your Spirit of love, joy and faith will fill our hearts so that everyone we meet will be encouraged and feel valued. Our world needs us to be ambassadors of the gospel, not in words only but in deeds of love and compassion. Fill us up every day as we live for you.

SUNDAY 13 JUNE – ‘WE’RE AN ARMY FIGHTING FOR A GLORIOUS KING’ (SASB 940) O Lord, there is a world that needs to understand how much you love each individual and that you have prepared Eternity for all who love you. One day, every knee will bow before you as you return to this world but, until that day, we want to share the message of your salvation and your unconditional love.

FATHER GOD FOCUS

by Major Pauline Milner

MONDAY 14 JUNE – JEHOVAH: THE SELF-COMPLETE (EXODUS 3:14) Our Father God is the great ‘I am’, the Holy One, a name once held so sacred that it was often only written in Hebrew with four letters and no vowels (YHWH). Surely our only proper response is to bow down in awe and to worship him. Pause a moment now in silent prayer and worship ‘I am’.

TUESDAY 15 JUNE – JEHOVAH-JIREH: THE GOD WHO PROVIDES (GENESIS 22:14) Heavenly Father, thank you that you see our every need and that, just as you provided yesterday, you will provide today and tomorrow. You have lavished upon us your love, grace and salvation. Create in us your character of generosity that we may bless others as you bless us.

WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE – JEHOVAH-M’KADDESH: THE GOD WHO SANCTIFIES (EXODUS 31:13) Father God, Jehovah-M’Kaddesh, the one who sanctifies me, cleanse and purify me that I may live a holy life, consecrated to you in every area: thought, word, behaviour, work, home, finance, relationships, recreation, ministry and in all that you have entrusted to me.

THURSDAY 17 JUNE – JEHOVAH-SHALOM: ‘THE LORD IS PEACE’ (JUDGES 6:24; 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33) Heavenly Father, you are Jehovah-Shalom. Thank you that we can know the fullness of your perfect peace in Jesus. Help us to receive your peace, let it invade our hearts and minds and reign over us amid every challenge, worry, place of chaos and uncertainty.

FRIDAY 18 JUNE – JEHOVAH-RAPHA: THE LORD WHO HEALS (EXODUS 15:26) Father God, the Great Physician, we declare that you are our healer! Ultimately you alone provide the remedy for all humankind’s brokenness through your son, Jesus Christ. We thank you that your healing extends to every area of our lives – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Let us pray for someone in need of healing today.