Events
Hope into Action
Oakham Update March 2022 - Dear Friends, There are as many reasons for homelessness as there are homeless people – everyone’s story is different.
And, as we have found, in many cases the story is not straightforward, often resulting from events and trauma beyond the individual’s control. What is clear is that someone who is homeless, has to deal with a whole range of challenging issues and their causes and consequences – and this has certainly been true for the three new tenants who moved into our houses just before and just after Christmas.
Whilst the settling in period continues, supported by the love and care of our friendship and support team members, it is very pleasing to say that one of our tenants has, this month, voluntarily moved out to return to live with his wife and children on the south coast. He remains very much in our prayers, of course. We are already considering who will take his place.
We recently made an appeal for garden tools and were very grateful for those that have been donated. The idea is to encourage our tenants to learn about and take care of the small gardens at the houses – part of the process of assuming responsibility and taking back control of their lives and futures. It is often small things like this which can help restore confidence and the ability to move on from those events and traumas which have weighed on their lives so heavily.
Tenants pay a monthly charge, from their benefits, to cover the cost of utilities – water, gas, electricity. So, we are very conscious of the pressure they will increasingly be under to manage their finances, and maybe job-hunt, over the coming months. Please continue to pray for them all. Thank you.
Earlier this month the Executive Director of Hope into Action visited Oakham and spent time at both houses, talking to the tenants, hearing their stories and meeting some of the team. His comments were greatly encouraging.
The Churches Together in Oakham combined service at 6.00pm on 29th May will be held at the Methodist Church and will be dedicated to the Hope into Action project.