10 December 2009 saw the first official visit to Coventry of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. She stopped off at only one place - the Coventry & Warwickshire Emmaus community in the Old Vicarage in Binley, home to fifteen ex-homeless men and women. The Duchess is royal patron to the Emmaus UK Federation and had asked to have a pre-Christmas get-together with our companions (as Emmaus residents are known). She is only too aware that this can be a particularly difficult time of the year as many of them have only tenuous relations with their families. The Duchess was shown round the house, presented with a Christmas cake and got excited about the big kitchen garden. She was easy to get on with, was interested to hear everyone's stories and particularly enjoyed letting her hair down in a private tea-party with the companions!

 

Anyone who would like to book a talk (or sermon) on Emmaus and its unique approach to homelessness - or join the Friends of Emmaus - is invited to contact me for details - 024 7667 9126 or brooke@care4free.net

 

Tim Brooke,

Chair of the Emmaus Trustees

 

Photo's of the visit:  

 

 

The Duchess/Emmaus companions 

 

In terms of what is available to offer callers in Coventry I think that the two obvious needs are for either housing or food and are best met by referring people to the two centres best placed to provide a professional response.

 

See below:

 

1. For homeless callers:

Direct to Coventry Cyrenians

Address: Simon House, Bird Street, Coventry, CV1 5FX

Tel:  024 7622 0817. Contact John Avil, Service Manager

Contact Times:  Advice Centre open Mon & Fri 9.30am-12 noon - 1.30pm- 4pm, Tues, Wed, Thurs open mornings only 9.30am – 12 noon. Open 7 nights a week 6 – 9pm to provide help to those requiring Emergency Accommodation.

Coventry Cyrenians provide accommodation for single homeless people. They have a referral & outreach service which can help people in need of emergency accommodation and can also address enquiries about benefits and more complicated housing issues.

 

2. For hungry and needy callers:

Direct to Coventry Jesus Centre

Address: 7 Lamb Street, Coventry CV1 4AE  Phone:  024 7655 0033

 

The Jesus Centre is open to callers:  Tue, Wed Thurs, Sat and Sun from 9.00am to 12 noon.  It's a friendly and relaxed drop-in for homeless and disadvantaged people where they can find support and friendship.

 

On offer are free drinks, bread and spreads. Cooked breakfast is available until 11am at a cost of 70p.  This schedule continues throughout the Christmas period.

Revd Dr John Hall,

Director for Social Responsibility

August 2009

 

Would you like to be a volunteer helper showing Gods love in a practical way to those in Coventry who are sleeping rough?   Then why not have a conversation with Coventry Cyrenians who run Norton House in Coventry and are involved in serving the people of Coventry in this way. For more information tel: 024 7622 8099. Also see attached Volunteer Assistant Task Description: www.coventrydiocese.org/upload/file/Social Responsibility/Volunteer Assistant Task Description.doc

The Reunite Project is part of The Children's Society's Safe in the City project in Coventry. The project works directly with children and young people who have or are at risk of running away. They have been up and running since October 2008.  

If you are interested in finding out more about how The Reunite project helps young people at risk on the streets in Coventry then please contact Jenny Mahimbo at Safe in the City Coventry on 024 7652 0124. The project is based at

St Peter's Community Centre, Charles Street, Coventry

 

Why offer an internship?

There are approximately 11,000 Zimbabweans who have sought sanctuary in the UK. Many have been refused refugee status, but the government has agreed that they cannot be sent back at the moment. However, they are prevented from working and have little or no access to benefits. Many thousands are destitute. The CITIZENS for Sanctuary campaign www.citizensforsanctuary.org.uk is calling for Zimbabweans to be allowed to work until it is safe enough for them to return.