Called to Be a Soldier: Chapter

HOMELESSNESS

Army calls for government to focus on rough sleeping causes

THQ

THE Salvation Army has warned that the government cannot end rough sleeping unless it tackles the causes behind it.

New figures show that 70 per cent of rough sleepers in London need support for mental health, drug or alcohol problems.

Assistant Territorial Director for Homelessness Services (South) Major Hilarie Watchorn said: ‘The government has made a welcome pledge to spend at least £640 million a year tackling homelessness and rough sleeping by 2024. This could be a game-changer, but only if the money is invested in the right places.

‘As a major provider of homelessness and addiction services, we know from experience that it takes more than a roof over their heads to help people break the cycle of rough sleeping. At our Lifehouses and our pop-up accommodation, we combine shelter with therapeutic and emotional support to help people transition from the streets to a permanent home.

‘Mental health and addiction problems can be both the cause and the result of living on the streets. Worryingly, more people are sleeping rough today than 10 years ago, while local authority funding to tackle mental health and addiction problems has gone down.’

The Salvation Army provides a variety of schemes for rough sleepers, as it believes that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Services for mental health and addiction problems are embedded in its Lifehouses and community programmes. Housing First provides supported accommodation for long-term rough sleepers who have addictions or mental health problems. NAPpads are temporary, one-person selfcontained shelters that offer rough sleepers a warm and safe place to sleep, with technology to raise the alarm if they stop breathing.

Hilarie continued: ‘The government has yet to lay out how the money it has committed to end rough sleeping will be spent. If it is to succeed in keeping people off the streets, it’s critical the government invests in the services that can change lives for good.’ – AR HOMELESSNESS

Pop-up pods help tackle homelessness in Sheffield

SHEFFIELD

POP-up accommodation to house entrenched rough sleepers is helping to tackle homelessness.

Each sleeping pod provides a bed, a chemical toilet and charging facilities. They help people who have been sleeping on the streets and have complex needs so might struggle in hostelstyle accommodation.

As part of a pilot scheme, The Salvation Army has provided two pods, made by Amazing Grace Spaces, with Sheffield city council providing support to the clients to help them move into more permanent accommodation.

The Salvation Army runs two Lifehouses in Sheffield – Charter Row houses up to 57 single men and Lincoln Court houses 11 women.

Service manager Andy Parkinson, who manages both Lifehouses, said: ‘In just a couple of months, we have seen a real difference in the two clients who have been placed in [the pods]. They are more engaged with mental health and housing services. One has now been offered a flat and the other has been referred into long-term supported housing.’

One client, who had been sleeping on the streets for more than a year, said: ‘It’s stopped me from being cold. It’s basically kept me and helped me find myself again. Because of this I’m actually now getting my own flat. I’m hoping to get back to trying to have a normal life. They should have thousands more of these pods, as they would help a lot of people.’ – AR

FUNDRAISING

TEDDINGTON AND WATFORD The removals and storage firm Pickfords teamed up with corps members to distribute surplus toys to safe houses and families in need in the Birmingham area. Pickfords also donated extra care packages to be provided along with the toys. The arrangements were made through Captain Mark Scoulding (Watford), as a result of his work with Employment Plus. – EW

70%

of London’s rough sleepers need added support

SEE PAGE 4

£2,000

raised at concert for Ukraine

SEE PAGE 5

140

years of Chatham Band

SEE PAGE 5

OUTREACH MUSIC

BIRMINGHAM CITADEL When the European Brass Band Championships took place in the city, the band played outside the competition venue, witnessing to hundreds of passers-by. They selected music well regarded within the Army and brass band community. – RO

MUSIC

CHATHAM Band members from across the South East Division joined the corps band for an open practice. Originally planned to recognise the band’s 140th anniversary in 2021, it was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Led by Assistant Director of Music and Creative Arts (Brass and Choral) Paul Sharman, members were blessed to share fellowship with friends from Maidstone, Gillingham and Sittingbourne. – IP

COMMUNITY

EXETER TEMPLE A concert raised funds for the Army’s work with Ukrainian refugees. Items included ‘There Will Be God’ and ‘Endless Victory’. The vocal group Response presented several pieces including ‘Let’s Get Together’ and ‘The Voice of Hope’. The band performed ‘Great and Glorious’ and ‘Easter Morning’. Kenneth Downie and Songster Leader Patricia Downie played a piano duet. The items were interspersed with several videos highlighting the Army’s humanitarian work in Ukraine. The offering raised more than £2,000 for people affected by the conflict. The evening concluded with the band playing a prayer with ‘Peace in Our Time, O Lord’. – AB

EVENT

GATESHEAD Captains Richard and Valentina Wearmouth (Braintree) led an international weekend, which began with a session for Spanish speakers – a new experience for the Salvadoran members of the corps. This enabled the sharing of testimony and singing in Spanish, as well as the presentation of Spanish Bibles to each family represented. The whole congregation shared in a supper with members presenting food from their home countries. A children’s session on Sunday involved them making scones using different recipes. The evening meeting was also translated into Spanish and songs were sung in English and Spanish at the same time. Captain Valentina is pictured with Leonor, holding her Spanish Bible. – AH

SHETLAND A community polytunnel project has opened in Cunningsburgh. The venture came about through collaboration between Lerwick Corps and a local businessman who felt called by God to support the Army’s work. The polytunnel, along with a portion of land, will be used to grow produce, which will be circulated among the community. The land will also house an honesty shed, containing a small space for people to reflect and ask for prayer. Corps officer Major David Womersley said: ‘We pray that it will be a place of growth in terms of food but also in relationships.’ – DW

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EVENT PRESENTATION

Austin House welcomes Keir Starmer

SOUTHWICK

LABOUR Party leader Sir Keir Starmer visited The Salvation Army’s Austin House Family Centre during his visit to Sunderland, where he met community manager Graham Wharton.

Austin House operates a number of projects, including the Daily Bread Café – providing nutritious food to the wider community, a food bank and community days and trips out – and Employment Plus.

The Labour leader also spoke with representatives from Sara (Southwick Altogether Raising Aspirations), a multi-agency initiative tackling issues of crime, mental health and unemployment, and met young people who have benefited from the project.

Sir Keir said: ‘It was brilliant to join The Salvation Army at the Sara centre. Their amazing work bringing together the police, council services and neighbourhood groups is a great example of working together in the heart of the community.’

Graham said: ‘Our aim is to give people a hand up and the opportunity to thrive. I described it to Sir Keir as a “smorgasbord” where we have different options, so people have a choice and agency over the decisions they are making and the help they receive.’

Kim McGuiness, Northumbria police and crime commissioner, said: ‘The Salvation Army brings life-changing support to Sunderland, and it was great to show Keir how this works on the ground.’ – AR

MUSIC

KILMARNOCK Hugh Fraser retired as bandmaster after almost 31 years in the role. During this time, he led the band from strength to strength and rejuvenated it by bringing in young people and others who were keen to learn. In celebration of Hugh’s commitment and contribution to the band, a well-attended concert was held in the hall, also featuring the Aeolian Male Voice Choir, of which Hugh is a member. A surprise farewell dinner was held at a nearby hotel, attended by past and current band members. There were congratulatory messages and expressions of appreciation for Hugh’s tireless work and service. He will continue playing as a member of the band. Succeeding him as bandmaster will be his daughter, Katrena McDonald. – EF

EVENT

WILLENHALL Charlie Green kicked off a new initiative of Wednesday lunchtime concerts. More than 100 people gathered for the free concert and enjoyed the eclectic programme. Charlie sang music ranging from ‘La Bamba’ to ‘What a Friend We Have in Jesus’. Many new people from the community – including more than 30 from the town’s weekly tea dance, and staff members and residents from a care home – accepted the invitation, alongside friends and family of corps folk. The event was supported by Morrisons, who not only donated all the refreshments but also released their community champion to help serve on the day. Entry was free but donations raised more than £350. – LH-N

Growing leaders gather

CROYDON CITADEL

MORE than 20 people took part in the Church Pastoral Aid Society’s Growing Leaders Course via Zoom, exploring leadership and discipleship over eight months. This culminated in a weekend to meet face-to-face at Croydon Citadel.

Delegates contributed alongside the music sections and a number of people used the mercy seat at the conclusion of the meeting. Delegates also engaged in open-air ministry with the band and corps members before returning to the hall for a final session where they considered their development plan and asked, ‘What next?’

In closing moments, delegates used the mercy seat to give their offering to God and to ask his Spirit to seal his calling on their lives. – IW