One day! My dream...
For 50 years BCM's Care Centre has provided hot meals for thousands of homeless and hungry people in Birmingham. Whilst this is still happening, this year has brought several new initiatives.
This year, BCM’s Care Centre has fed 70 clients a day on average. The Christmas meals were most enjoyable, with ‘full houses’ on both days.
At the staff and volunteers’ Away-Day, our theme was ‘Reflecting back and looking forward’. So we asked the clients why they come. I expected ‘hunger’ to be the answer. But it was ‘loneliness and isolation’. We still make every effort, though, to serve meals with less sugar and lower cholesterol, in order to avoid obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
But we have introduced several new initiatives in the past year. Staff and clients have been volunteering fortnightly at the ‘Fruit and Nut Village’ community allotment in Balsall Heath. Our folks love being part of a community and working outdoors. Our Assistant Manager, Ruth, said, “80% of our service users live in hostels or other temporary accommodation. And the other 20% are homeless, with no access to a garden. Allotment volunteers get a real sense of purpose and fulfilment.”
One of our Support Workers, Matt Buttery, is setting up a carpentry workshop; we look forward to seeing clients gain skills and confidence from that provision.
A DWP Pioneer Programme staff member holds a weekly session, to advise and help clients gain training (with guaranteed continued support once they start work). Several have signed up already.
Mental health is a huge issue, but we are grateful now to have fortnightly input from the mental health charity, ‘MIND’.
We receive many encouragements. In March, Betel staff brought a gospel message. After listening, one client, on the very same day, travelled up to Derby Betel. He has given his life to the Lord and continues on their rehab programme.
In May, the City’s Environmental Health inspection team awarded the Care Centre the highest score for hygiene and cleanliness.
In a nutshell, we now have a group of people who no longer need to navigate their way aimlessly around Birmingham for free food. They may go forward in hope, believing that they can achieve in life. With Isaiah 40:31 as our promise from God, let’s dream on together: ‘They who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.’
Phil Ansell, Care Centre Manager
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