Day 144: Praying for Crichton House (2017)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 144 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'Lord, I praise you! You are my strong Rock! You teach me how to fight well. You show me how to use my weapons' (Psalm 144:1, EasyEnglish Bible).

2017

Service Manager Natasha Alexander (Crichton House) writes: ‘Prior to 2017, Crichton House Outreach Services in Cardiff was made up of three small services: (1) Floating Support, which supports vulnerable adults and families in their homes who are at risk of becoming homeless; (2) the Bus Project, which drove to a set location every evening to support rough sleepers with food, advice and referrals to emergency accommodation; (3) Gateway, which supported rough sleepers from outside of the Cardiff Local Authority, who were often fleeing violence.

‘In 2017, the Floating Support Team was delighted to win a seven-year contract to provide support and expand the number of people we were able to help. Shortly after, Crichton House was also the home to the new Housing First Team, which supports entrenched rough sleepers into a home of their own and provides lifelong intensive support to allow them to sustain their tenancies. Crichton House started with nine support workers and is now home to 30 of us, who all work out in the community to provide outreach support to more than 2,000 people a year.’

The Army’s prison chaplain at HMP Berwyn writes: ‘HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, opened in 2017 and is the only prison in North Wales. It houses 2,000 men and was the second biggest prison in Europe at the time. The Salvation Army Prison Ministries Unit offered to be part of the chaplaincy team and so a Salvation Army chaplain has been in post since February 2018. The work is diverse, with about 300 men attending for varying services or studies, plus those who are contacted when bereaved and those who are at risk of suicide or self-harm. Pastoral support is also offered, regardless of their faith or belief.

‘The chaplain has been privileged to facilitate Alpha Courses and Living with Loss, to lead some Sunday services, to visit approved premises and work jointly with corps and the nearby veterans’ hostel, journeying with men through possibly the most difficult days of their lives. Chaplaincy brings a sense of hope, guidance and encouragement, helping men connect and reconnect with faith daily and ask the bigger questions of life.’ 

Prayer

• Pray for the outreach work from Crichton House, supporting vulnerable adults and families.
• Pray for the staff team in this challenging environment. Pray for the support they give to entrenched rough sleepers moving from the street to a home of their own.