Lifehouses in lockdown

Regional Chaplaincy Officer Major Eleanor Haddick shares how the HSU Southern Region is responding to the coronavirus outbreak

WITHIN The Salvation Army, the word ‘Lifehouse’ – like the word ‘homelessness’ – carries a variety of connotations, especially for the individuals and families who access these services.

Lifehouses offer much more than a bed for the night. The Homelessness Services Unit (HSU) Southern Region covers Bristol, Highworth, Swindon, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, with 120 staff and volunteers supporting an average of 340 service users in family services, rehabilitation, emergency accommodation, night shelters, transitional housing, floating support, outreach and more.

Through providing psychologically informed environments, care and support we are blessed to see the amazing transforming work in those who are served.

Just as in communities where many live and work, the Lifehouses are communities themselves. Similarly they have been affected by the coronavirus crisis. In what was already an over-stretched service, changes have been required to achieve the aims, mission and care for individual staff and service users.

Staff welfare checks have been increased for those at risk because of age or underlying health issues. Service users with complex needs, who may not fully understand what is happening, or the need to wash hands, all need extra support from staff. Some service users have been advised to self-isolate along with staff, who have to remain at home.

Keeping staff and service users safe from infection is a priority, with staff naturally worried about bringing the virus in from, or taking it back to, their homes.

Programmes have also had to be altered to accommodate social distancing. Football is a favourite pastime of many residents but is no longer being played. Visitors are restricted, with service users keeping contact through phones or computers.

Computer hubs are being used to connect with outside support agencies.

Major Eleanor Haddick

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous are now taking place over the phone, on the computer or in-house with people keeping a safe distance apart. Services report that some programmes that were not well attended in the past, such as quizzes, crafts and gardening, are becoming popular.

At Booth House in Swindon social enterprises such as the Recycles initiative have been scaled back, although The Sandwich People is providing sandwiches for the staff at the nearby Asda.

The winter shelter on the Isle of Wight has faced some significant challenges. The majority of volunteers are within the high-risk category and are therefore either self-isolating or deciding not to volunteer. The service is being managed with reduced staff levels and the shelter has been in lockdown after a resident was suspected of having symptoms of Covid-19. This has included amazing staff members living permanently at the shelter with 19 residents, ensuring the best care and support is provided in this difficult time.

A vital role in any Lifehouse team is the chaplain, and the unit is blessed to have amazing, godly people providing pastoral support and a listening ear to all within their walls and beyond. Chaplains already use creative means to express the gospel to those for whom ‘traditional church’ would not be relevant, but in these times they have had to adapt further, with prayers and Bible studies now led via video calls as well as one-to-one.

Chaplains are also first responders to critical incidents and fatalities, offering pastoral support and care as well as conducting funeral services.

Lifehouse staff members are vital yet unsung heroes, playing their part in the mission of The Salvation Army. I feel humbled to work alongside some of the most dedicated and caring people. They create a ripple effect from each Lifehouse out into their communities.

In the crisis that is the coronavirus outbreak, Christ is seen at work in all that is done, with everyone working as one body and with a willingness to go above and beyond in the care and support of others. This means that our Lifehouses are not only a frontline response to the virus, but are also being the church that God wants us to be. I ask for continued prayer for the work that goes on at these Lifehouses, and for God’s wisdom, guidance, strength and protection.