Members of a Leicestershire church are taking a bold stand against homelessness by offering a real home and genuine friendship to those in need.
In February, Hinckley United Reformed Church in East Midlands Synod partnered with national, award-winning charity Hope into Action (HIA) to provide a home to two homeless people.
The church’s involvement began when one of its former Elders, Karen Jones, attended a concert in Norwich which was raising funds for HIA and was impressed by how the charity involves the tenants in their own success.
“If we all do a little, a great deal can be achieved,” said Karen. “If we all think we can’t do anything then nothing will be done.”
HIA is underpinned by a Christian faith that believes the Church can respond effectively to three forms poverty: resources, relationships, and identity.
It works when the charity sources investors to buy a property, who retain ownership and lease it to HIA for five years. HIA turns the property into a home and partners with a church to join it in its efforts in providing prayer, friendship and community.
“Demands are made on the tenant that they pay rent, enter into an agreement. If there’s a breach which can’t be resolved, they can end up back on the streets but they can apply again,” said Karen.
“It was refreshing because the tenants weren’t told ‘here’s a house get on with it’. It was also refreshing in that the churches provide support and friendship, and the charity provides a key member of staff that support tenants with what challenges they have.
“The tenants have all sorts of problems, financial, family, illness, mental, drug/alcohol abuse but the key worker goes in once a week to provide them with the key skills that they need to live independently.”
There are a variety of service agreements on offer, Hinckley chose to furnish the house and provide friendship and a support group for the tenants.
Initially, Karen tried to encourage the church she was attending in Norwich to take part but was unsuccessful.
She then moved to the Midlands and began attending Hinckley URC, which on Mondays, invites guest speakers and people to listen to talks. Karen went along one week and the guest speaker that day was from a nearby town where churches were opening their doors to homeless people, providing cots for the night and breakfast. Karen began speaking to Hinckley’s church secretary, Tony Wallace, about how worthwhile the project was but it did not stop homeless people from returning to the streets.
“It didn’t resolve anything,” said Karen. “The church secretary agreed, and he invited the charity to give a presentation to our church. Despite his best efforts, progress was slow and he asked me to take over shortly before he died.
Karen says it took some time for her to persuade her church that the project is one they would want to take up. Understandably, at the age of 75, Karen is one of the youngest people attending Hinckley URC so members were unsure about getting involved.
“There were lots of discussions going on and last year our church meeting agreed it was a project to get involved with,” she said.
“They knew where I was coming from and knew that it would be challenging but that we could do. It took patience, persuasion and a bit of arm twisting.”
Once HIA were informed of the church’s decision, a two-bed property was purchased and in February, two tenants were lined up to move into the premises.
Karen explains: “One person has moved in. We had two lined up, but one got cold feet and is living in their vehicle. They just couldn’t face living in a house again. These people have problems that we couldn’t even dream about.”
On how she feels getting the project off the ground, Karen shares that she did experience low points.
“I very nearly gave in,” she said. “As we’ve just lost our minister, and we’re grieved he was stolen**. He [the Revd Andrew Mudharara] just said to me one day, ‘I’m right behind you’. And if he hadn’t of said that, at that particular time, I might have given up. but it encouraged me. The project just needs people to understand that we can do something.”
The tenant will reside in the house for two years, after which Karen hopes new tenants will move in; the previous having successfully moved onto independent living.
Karen believes that Hinckley URC is the first church within the denomination to partner with Hope into Action.
“Then you never know what happens,” she adds. “That person can go on to help others. All of us go through life and every now and then it goes pearshaped and someone comes along and says take my hand. It’s important. I’m 75 and I can look at various stages of life where’ve I’ve sunk into a gloom and have been helped.”
**The Revd Andrew Mudharara has been found, alive and well and serving at local United Reformed Churches in Eastern Synod.
He said: “I’m really pleased that the project has started and that there’s a tenant in the property. It’s great that the church is able to provide support and members can excel in their ministry, flourishing their gifts.”
To learn more about Hope into Action, see https://www.hopeintoaction.org.uk/.
Hinckley URC meets every Sunday at 10.45am. Learn more about Hinckley URC.