Torbay Methodist Churches, Devon, UK

Paignton - Torquay - Brixham

Click here to read about the Langley House Trust - The Torbay Project

Newsletter of the
Friends of Factory Row

THE last few months have been a time of transition for the Friends.

For five years we worked with the Langley House Trust which had secured the contract to run the hostel provided by Torbay Council. In April the contract was won by Shekinah (which has its roots in Plymouth) and Chapter 1, a national charity with 40 other projects around the country. Langley House Trust retains ownership of the hostel.

They have new ways of working and with the opening of the new hostel (and a new manager), it's been like starting a new relationship.

We have remained focused on meeting the needs of homeless people in South Devon, thinking what we as a group of Friends can do on top of what statutory services provide.

We've met the new management and we hope you share our view that it is an exciting future with a vital role for volunteers.

The lack of spiritual support for residents (see below) remains an issue but our Christian witness can continue. Both Shekinah and Chapter 1 are Christian organisations and welcome our involvement.

So how will the Friends serve the hostel and the homeless community in the future? Firstly we will continue give to birthday cards and gifts to residents (there are now 24 in Factory Row) and Christmas presents. We will encourage the giving of food, toiletries and other provisions so that on returning to community living, residents have a "starter pack".

We will continue to organise events such as our annual carol service and garden party.

Volunteering up to now has been limited. The new management hope to organise a menu of roles for volunteers including befriending, mentoring, involving residents in sports, teaching of life skills etc.

Volunteers will need to be CRB checked and receive some basic training.

Be in no doubt, the Friends have a vital role in ensuring that Factory Row becomes a flagship Christian project in the Westcountry.

SPIRITUAL BATTLE IN HIGH PLACES

AS you may have heard in the media, the Friends have been alarmed at the decision to end the tradition of prayers at the Factory Row hostel.

These have been held weekly or fortnightly since the hostel opened in 1991 providing spiritual support for residents and staff. They have been led by local clergy from diverse denominations, a symbol of the ecumenical roots of the hostel.

In more recent years these have been held discretely in a side room. There has been no compulsion and no one has ever objected. They have been invaluable to residents at a time of crisis.

The Friends believe spiritual support can play a vital part in a client's recovery and we are determined that prayer time should be reinstated, as a service to residents. We are preparing a case to put to the trustees of Shekinah Torbay and Chapter 1. Thank you for all your letters of support. We are not giving up on this even if we have to change national policies.

Nick Pannell (Chairman of the Friends)

-ooOOOoo-

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Click here to read about the Langley House Trust - The Torbay Project

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Last updated: September 2010