What a rollercoaster few months it’s been. On 24^th March 2020 we took the difficult decision to close Derby Churches Nightshelter a week early because of the inability to observe necessary social distancing. The shelters in Chesterfield and Mansfield closed at a similar time. When we prayed that the local authority would respond to the government’s call for all homeless people to be accommodated off the streets, we never realised the response would involve our Safe Space staff!

On Friday 27^th March, Safe Space relocated to a hotel on Pride Park until mid-June. Since then we have been part of a citywide response, offering all homeless people in Derby a place of safety. The hotel could accommodate up to 100 guests and on occasions we have had over 60 guests staying at one time. During the last three months we’ve seen over 120 individual guests come and stay, which has presented challenges looking after so many people. But God has been good and mostly there has been a real sense of peace. We’ve had many opportunities to share the gospel, pray with people and give testimony to what God has done in the lives of our staff.

We have been working with lots of other agencies in the city to bring holistic support to those we are caring for. Together we have been able to offer three meals a day, en-suite bedrooms with TV, medical assistance, pastoral support, clothing, toiletries, snacks, activities and lots of love and care. Our guests have said repeatedly how much they appreciate the support they’re receiving and for many it has been a real opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness.

 

Just one example is a guest with addiction issues who arrived with us after sleeping rough intermittently for a good period of time. Like others, they came into the hotel thinking they wouldn’t cope and would have to leave due to their conduct. But they’ve stayed, got their addiction sorted, been in contact with family and are about to move into their own place.

This is what DCM and Safe Space are all about - Transforming lives together!

As the lockdown period comes to an end, there is a concerted effort to offer everyone a permanent solution to their situation. Please pray each person is found something to move on to.