Day 145: Praying for Ty Dewr, Wrexham, and Housing First, Merthyr Tydfil (2018)

Join with Salvationists of the Wales Division for day 145 of 150 days of prayer.

• 'Famous are the powerful things that you have done. People will talk about them. I also will speak about the great things that you do' (Psalm 145:6, EasyEnglish Bible).

2018

The Salvationist (24 March 2018) reported on the visit of a local MP to Ty Dewr:

‘Ian Lucas, MP, praised a project providing accommodation and support for veterans. The Salvation Army project at Ty Dewr (Brave House) provides accommodation for 12 veterans who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Mr Lucas said, “The Salvation Army already has strong Wrexham links. During my visit we spoke about their specific work with veterans residing there, as well as supporting people into future accommodation generally.”

The Salvation Army believes that providing a bed alone cannot break the cycle of homelessness. People at Ty Dewr have access to a range of activities including growing food in an allotment, taking cooking lessons and going to fitness sessions. The focus is on life skills for moving forward into civilian life. Service manager Gill Corps said, “We’ve been running Ty Dewr for eight months. We work with individuals to support them and, as a result, we’ve witnessed some wonderfully positive outcomes.”

Catherine Docherty (Homeless Services Assistant Regional Manager) writes:

‘In 2018, The Salvation Army successfully tendered to deliver a Housing First Service in Merthyr Tydfil. We now support eight previously entrenched rough sleepers in their homes. Merthyr Tydfil is a town with a close-knit community and it has been a journey to understand our place in that community and to help our clients to thrive. With persistence and time, we have been able to settle and operate a successful project that offers a unique solution for homeless people.

‘Members of Merthyr Tydfil Corps have been incredibly welcoming, providing year-round support, especially around the Christmas, Easter and Harvest celebrations. Merthyr Tydfil Corps has also enabled those being supported by Housing First to attend their coffee mornings and warm space provision. Cadet Paul Sass has also offered chaplaincy support directly to staff and clients in the project.’

Prayer

• Ty Dewr is a unique provision supporting veterans. Pray for the veterans in the programme that they will have a positive outcome from their stay at the project.
• Housing First Merthyr Tydfil is supporting entrenched rough sleepers to find their place in society. Pray for the support they give to these vulnerable people.