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Most of us will have witnessed the evidence of this as we walk through our city and see people curled up in sleeping bags in bus stops, on benches and next to shop doorways.

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Some may rightly be sceptical of the government’s recent pledge to end rough sleeping, even as the announcement comes with £442m of funding. After all, this is a perennial ambition of a succession of governments. Can we really ‘get everyone in for Christmas’ this time? The Prime Minister acknowledged the difficulty in meeting the challenge, saying, ‘The money may not fully get us there, and I’m saying to wider society, faith organisations, let’s see if we can do this together.’

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BCM’s Care Centre is a real part of the solution in Birmingham. Mondays to Thursdays every week, each day on average 50 people come through the doors for a freshly prepared meal, for companionship and practical help. Whilst many of the clients are homeless in some form, for example living in a hostel or temporary accommodation, around 10% are rough sleepers. In the 12 months from May 2025 to April 2026, 124 sleeping bags were given and 68 people were found their own accommodation. Many more have been supported to move forward in life, retain their tenancy and stay off the streets.

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Care Centre Manager, Alec Petson said, ‘We have recently made great connections with two housing providers, BHX and Citadel. They have been going above and beyond to support those we have referred to them, helping with moving furniture, GP appointments, benefits and much more. They have donated food regularly to the Care Centre, and once even brought in a professional barber for the day to cut hair and beards for free.’

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The Care Centre hosts drop-in sessions from a number of other partnering organisations. During the year, 108 guests accessed the DWP’s services, and 54 received health care from MIND, the Hepititis C Trust and optician Opthalmic Clarity.

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Support Worker, Matt Buttery and clients have been hard at work making bird boxes. Alec said, ‘Those who get involved really enjoy doing something practical like this as they get to see the end result of their efforts and, when they are focussed on the work, it takes their minds off what is going on in their lives. They have made over 150 boxes and all the money raised goes to helping BCM.’

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At BCM’s Care Centre God’s love is offered to all in a very real way. Please pray it would continue to play an effective part in combatting homelessness in Birmingham.