In the bleak midwinter, Newport churches open their doors to the homeless
Thanks to the Newport Night Shelter which opened before Christmas, no-one has had to sleep rough in Newport this winter.
Revd Justin Groves of St Paul’s, Newport, sharing a meal with one of the visitors.
Some thirteen guests have been using the shelter and organiser, Jade Holtham of Teen Challenge, says that four of those have been moved on to accommodation—which is a good ratio compared with similar schemes in other places. Suicide is a risk among the homeless but this year none have died in Newport.
Ray Olsen one of the guests says “Without the shelter this winter I don't know what I would've done. It's freezing out there.”
Louise Parfitt of St Mary’s, Malpas, one of the seven churches taking part in the scheme, says, “It has been relatively easy to set up. On Wednesday afternoons two people blow up airbeds and set tables up, two people cook the meal and bring it down for 7pm. We have six on the evening shift and we meet and pray at 7pm, and all eat together (the family atmosphere is similar to Alpha). The three volunteers staying overnight come at 10pm till 6am when three breakfast staff come in.”
“There has only been one incident when we needed to call the police to remove someone, but no one was fearful and we all agreed we would try again with that individual the next week and there haven't been any further problems.”
Beverley Cousins, one of two hundred volunteers helping through the week, admits that she was very apprehensive when she signed up—she wanted to help but wasn’t sure what she was facing. It wasn’t as daunting as she expected.
Trust and relationships have grown over the weeks. Initially some of the guests wouldn’t make eye-contact and were clearly wary of ‘do-gooders’. But now they are engaging in conversation and talking about their problems, responding to the safe environment provided.
Beverley wonders what they do during the day—“a day centre would be wonderful”, she says. Of particular concern to the helpers are the two girls who are pregnant—“we need a mother and baby unit”.
On Christmas morning the guests opened their presents from the churches. One man cried because he has never had a card with his name on before or a wrapped present.
The work has been a blessing to the church congregations who have so much love and compassion and have really enjoyed helping. Many are asking “what next?” Possibilities being offered in prayer are opening a church hall during the day to provide a makeshift day centre and double as a coffee shop for the lonely.
Louise sums it up: “I wish we had done this years ago and would strongly recommend it to other churches.