Making it work

LONDON

"Making it work," is a relatively new job-search support group at the London Jesus Centre. It has been running for over nine months, during which Alison Moore, who runs it, has seen over 50 different people who are having difficulty finding work. It runs every Thursday by appointment, from 8.30am-3.30pm.

She helps them to put together their CVs, helps with interview skills, gives employment advice, searches for jobs with them, makes phone calls to employers and, as she puts it, "I do a lot of chatting, praying, solving problems, laughing, crying and drinking tea."

"My Spanish has improved!" laughs Alison, "And I've learnt about helping migrant workers to find jobs and a lot about the local labour market."

As a result of Alison's service, 20 people have found jobs (five of them have been offered two!) She has even managed to get herself a new job as part of the government's upcoming Future Jobs Fund for 18-25 year olds, on top of the "Making it work" group.

COVENTRY

The inspiration behind "Habit breaker," a support group at Coventry Jesus Centre, lies with Jackie Pullinger. A missionary to Hong Kong, her methods of dealing with the addictions that she found in the Walled City were rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many men and women were freed from the power of addiction as she led them to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Andy Crisp, co-leader of "Habit breaker", says, "If it can happen in Hong Kong, why shouldn't it happen here?"

Along with Rune Carlberg, an ex-alcoholic who has known healing from his addictions, Andy decided to create "Habit breaker." It usually happens on Wednesday afternoons and takes the form of a seven-session course covering foundational Christian truths through to water baptism and the power of the Holy Spirit.

"Habit-breaker" has been running three years now, and it has definitely made an impact. Everyone who has been on the course has also been involved in other Jesus Centre activities. Nearly all of them have found faith in God and been baptised - there have been no dramatic changes, but through an atmosphere of love and being involved in a 'spiritual family' in church, people have been able to gradually break out of their old habits. Although it consists of only seven sessions at a time, "Habit breaker" continues to offer a level of support to its members through the friendships that are formed and the various Jesus Fellowship meetings nearby.

Pete went to "Habit breaker" after years of trying to rid himself of an alcohol habit. "I thought I'd give it a go," he explains, "And it worked. I finished the course and finally beat alcoholism, through faith in God. I would recommend it to anyone with an addiction, or even an addictive personality."

"Personally, I've never even smoked a cigarette!" laughs Andy, "But I know that Jesus has the power to set people free, and we're seeing the reality of that."

NORTHAMPTON

"Money worries" is a support group that has been running for five years at the Northampton Jesus Centre. It is an appointment-based group, aimed at people who have financial problems. Nine people are trained up to give all kinds of financial assistance. Their services include budgeting, debt and benefits help. The recession has caused a lot of insecurity and uncertainty, so this free service has proven very successful.

"Debts enslave people; we need to help them out," says Clive Millman, one of the volunteers who runs "Money Worries". "Sometimes people can't see the way out of the situation that they are in, and we help them to see a way forward. Helping to smooth out someone's money worries goes a long way to helping them to get their life in order."

"One guy who started coming along to this support group used to be a Christian, but had become disillusioned with it" says Clive. "The practical, friendly approach of "Money worries" when he needed it was enough to re-kindle his faith again. He's started to go to church again - and he has paid almost all of his debts off."