23rd January 2012

Changed lives

The Narrowgate Night Shelter Chaplain has a number of roles, including providing a listening ear to those who want to share their burdens and problems, to offer to pray with people, and to present the Good News about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Last week saw 5 people respond to the Good News – they asked Jesus into their lives and became Christians.  This is great news and we join the party in heaven!

Please pray for these new Christians: David, Gary, Peter, Raymond and Steven.  Pray that God through the Holy Spirit will help them turn their lives around.

We need more people to join us and help with this physically and spiritually life changing work.  Click here for more information about becoming a volunteer with the Narrowgate Night Shelter.

11th January 2012

Vladimir’s story

The following is an interview with one of our guests in the Narrowgate Night Shelter …

Please outline how you became homeless

I became homeless in my home country (Bulgaria) because of family problems.  I was homeless there for 5 years and then decided to come to England.  I was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2006, and my condition has got worse.  I wanted to work properly in the UK for myself and for your country, but now I am depressed by the situation and I am unable to work due to my health.

How long have you been homeless?

Most recently, from the end of October 2011.

Describe how your health has changed as a result of being homeless

It was very sad to be homeless.  I became very depressed and asked “why me?”.  I suffer every day with my condition.  One day I was selling the ‘Big Issue’ and had to sit down due to my Parkinsons.  I wanted to kill myself because of thhe pain, but then I saw a man in a worse condition than me and I changed my mind.

What is happening to help you find accommodation?

I am not eligable for accommodation because I cannot receive benefits.  I rely on the help of charities.

What message do you have for anyone else who is homeless?

I wish for everyone of them to have a home, because nobody deserves to be homeless.

Narrowgate comments – we need help to offer help to people like Vladimir.  If you can give a night per week to help man the shelter, click here to register your interest and someone will contact you.  If you can’t help in person, but can give financially each month, click here for more details.  With your support we can continue and expand this life-changing work.

30th December 2011

Bryan’s story

The following is an interview with one of our guests in the Narrowgate Night Shelter …

Please outline how you became homeless

Since my release from prison (16^th June 2011) during which time I had been sentenced to 12 weeks for shoplifting, I had been living in an abstinence based project.  But due to my 15 years of heroin and crack cocaine addiction I was still using drugs approximately 2 times a week.  I had cut down from 60ml of methadone and shoplifting up to 5 times a day, to 23ml of methadone and no shoplifting.

Although my life was slowly but surely going in the right direction, unfortunately the staff and my key worker at the abstinence project found my contraband (drug taking equipment) and I was instantly evicted and found myself homeless and back to square one.

Even though I was doing the best I have for 10 years, I still ended up loosing everything through my “recreational” Class A drug use.

How long have you been homeless?

3 months at the beginning of 2011.  2½ months continuous to date.

Describe how your health has changed as a result of being homeless

Physically – I am beginning to loose weight and find myself to be feeling very tired and weighed down by the homeless way of life.

Mentally – I often feel depressed and lethargic.  I also feel a deep sense of helplessness and hopelessness.  Family relationships and my friendships have also vastly deteriorated.

What is happening to help you find accommodation?

Currently I have been referred to NACRO through Probation.  I also have been referred to 2^nd Chance Housing through my drugs worker, and have an interview with them soon.

However, due to my eviction for a drugs related offense, I am finding it difficult to be re-housed.

What message do you have for anyone else who is homeless?

Never give up, and always remember that brighter days lie ahead, and it can only get better.  Life can change direction very quickly!

Bryan’s story shows how important it is to have a safe place to go when it appears all other options are failing.  Bryan is now stable because he is getting enough sleep and some food, and is able to engage with the various agencies available to him.

Our work, to help people like Bryan, can only continue with your support – both financially, and by volunteering.  Are you able to give £10.00 per month to help?  Click here to donate now!

14th December 2011

Holly’s story

A little girl went with her Mum to see the lights in Manchester centre Christmas last year.  As they got nearer to the festivities, the little girl became more and more agitated.  Her Mum asked her what was wrong.  She was concerned about the people she saw, bedding down for the night in shop doorways, cold and hungry.

Although at the time in 2010 she was only 5 years old, the little girl wanted to know what she could do and asked her Mum how she could help.  Thinking quickly, her Mum suggested that she save her pennies and ten pences through the year, and then give the money to a local charity who could help provide overnight shelter for those with no home of their own.

The little girl, Holly, was very determined.  Although she lived in an area with above average unemployment and many needs of its own, Holly managed to raise a total of £110!

The Narrowgate Night Shelter received a call from Holly’s Girls Brigade leader enquiring if we could use a cash donation to provide bedding for the homeless.  Could we?  You bet!

The constant washing of bedding means that laundry needs to be replaced frequently, and so this donation would be of significant help.

Arrangements were made for Phil Brown, the Narrowgate Night Shelter Manager, to visit Holly at a Girls Brigade evening to be presented with the money by Holly herself.

Holly is an inspiration to us all.  Anyone and everyone can do something to help.  The question is, will you do something to help?  The Narrowgate Night Shelter have volunteer opportunities for every night of the week – click here for more information about volunteering with us.

Thank you very much, Holly!

Follow this link for more information about the Narrowgate Night Shelter.