What is The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
What is the War Cry?
The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
THIS weekend marks the end of the football season for the Women’s Super League and the men’s Premier League in England and the Scottish Premiership.
For those fans and players whose teams have struggled, the end of the campaign cannot come quickly enough. But for those players who are contemplating retirement at the end of the season, the games may seem to have been speeding towards the final whistle sounding on their playing days.
In this week’s War Cry, we speak with former Premier League footballer Julio Arca, who explains the challenges players can face when they hang up their boots.
‘In football you see a lot of mental health issues, especially when footballers retire,’ he tells us. ‘People forget that footballers are still human beings and have problems. And people I know have gone through mental health issues.’
Because of this, Arca was keen to take up an invitation to support the work that The Salvation Army carries out at Swan Lodge, one of its centres in Sunderland which help people who are experiencing homelessness.
WAR CRY
Issue No 7629
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major
Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow
Production Editor: Ivan Radford
Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku
Staff Writer: Emily Bright
Staff Writer: Claire Brine
Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk
Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston
Graphic Designer: Mark Knight
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 101 Newington Causeway London
SE1 6BN
Tel: 0845 634 0101
Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
Founder: William Booth
General: Brian Peddle
Territorial Commander:
Commissioner Anthony Cotterill
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
As we report, Arca – who now manages South Shields FC – gives up his time every week to run football and fitness sessions for residents facing some of life’s toughest challenges. Jack is one of the participants benefiting from the sessions, and he says that they are helping his self-esteem. He also describes the other help he receives as a resident at Swan Lodge.
‘You get a basic room with a lounge and you get three meals a day and wi-fi and everything you need. I’m living there currently, but I’m looking to move on,’ he says.
At Swan Lodge, and other centres across the country, The Salvation Army works tirelessly to help people move on in their lives. It has been doing so for more than 150 years, and that seasoned support will not be ending any time soon.
