News feature

Army spreads community spirit

MERSEYSIDE

THE Salvation Army has been a strong presence in Merseyside for more than 140 years, starting with just one corps in 1880. Now, with eight corps, three Lifehouses, fresh expressions and established organisational partnerships, it is spreading and reinforcing community spirit across the county, reports Communications Officer Luisa Dawe.

Champions Court in St Helens is the supported housing project that the Homelessness Services Unit launched in July 2021 to help former rough sleepers get ready for independent living. It also supports individuals as they overcome the complex reasons for their homelessness, such as mental health issues, domestic violence, childhood trauma or addiction.

The accommodation comprises 28 apartments across two blocks with 24-hour wrap-around support provided by the HSU. It celebrated its first anniversary with an array of success stories, including a resident who was reunited with his children, and a couple who welcomed their first baby.

Robert Long, the Homelessness Services Unit’s regional manager, said: ‘Champions Court is a much-needed service for vulnerable members of the community. We have had success in working alongside local organisations and the council. It’s really special for us to see how far some of our residents have come. We will continue to deliver this, seeing the person and their needs as opposed to the label of homelessness.’

Liverpool Walton tackled holiday hunger and financial family worries over the school summer holidays by supporting more than 100 children through a summer holiday club, taking pressure off families as many continued to navigate the cost of living crisis.

Across the four weeks that it ran, the club provided children with breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Activities included cycle safety, wildlife and reptile experiences and football training.

The corps was able to run the summer club thanks to a grant it applied for and received from the Holiday Activities and Food fund, an initiative run by Liverpool City council. A condition of the corps being awarded the funding was that 80 per cent of the places had to be filled by children qualifying for free school meals. The corps worked in partnership with local schools, its food bank clients and children’s centres to find the families who would benefit from the provision.

Corps Community Manager Jeanette Griffiths, who has worked at the corps for 15 years, explained that this year has been the hardest for households in the community on the lowest of incomes: ‘A lot of children would suffer if there wasn’t any support on offer. A lot may not have got substantial meals. Some may not have even been fed, and this is why we felt it was important to hold a holiday club; to give a bit of salvation for those who are struggling.’

Just 10 miles down the road from Liverpool Walton you’ll find Liverpool Stoneycroft. It offers a number of weekly activities for the community, from a craft club and football matches for young adults to Employment Plus, which provides tailored support to help people become job-ready and overcome obstacles they may face professionally and personally.

The corps works with other organisations, such as FoodCycle, a food charity that is working to make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past. FoodCycle and Liverpool Stoneycroft work together to provide a sit-down meal each week in the corps hall. This provides further spiritual and