Related blogs
Content linked below doesn't necessarily represent the views of the Jesus Army
employment
-
Space To Relax
Jeremy Blackstock lost everything when his job fell through. Through the Jesus Centre he found accommodation and friendship. He tells his story.Published: 18th Jun 2014
Jeremy BlackstockI HAD been working for four years at a large hotel helping in the kitchen and thought things were going great.
Then the Head Chef, who was my friend and got me the job in the first place, went on holiday for four weeks. While he was away, I didn’t get on with one of the Porters who was looking out for anything I did wrong. One day I had gone into the kitchen when it was not my shift as it was a live-in job.
He reported me and I was given four weeks’ notice, which obviously meant I lost my accommodation as well as my job. I also couldn’t get benefits for three months.
I went to live with friends and started sofa surfing. During this time I came to the Jesus Centre for something to...
Comments Read more » -
Seven Stories of Forgotten People
Julia Faire puts us in the shoes of seven visitors to the Coventry Jesus Centre.Published: 29th Apr 2013
THESE ARE hard times for the poor. Not many would argue with that. UK Government austerity measures have meant that increasing numbers of people are unable to make ends meet. Food banks are busier than ever (according to an article in the Guardian, three open every week) and recent headlines reveal that child poverty is again on the increase. Over 6 million people are unemployed or underemployed and benefits and the minimum wage rates are falling well behind that of inflation. Key charities are struggling financially, leaving some of our most vulnerable citizens badly in need of support.
At Coventry Jesus Centre ‘The Bridge’ drop-in is open five mornings a week: free breakfasts, showers and clothes are provided and... Comments Read more » -
Speaking out
Justice is what Coventry Jesus Centre support worker Val Hook longs forPublished: 22nd Jan 2006
WHEN Val Hook saw the Support Worker post advertised, she thought, 'yes!' She had been working in the centre's café but wanted to do something more specific to help people.
Now she assists clients with applications for housing and other benefits, arranges crisis loans or accommodation, rings agencies to make appointments, and reads and writes letters for them if needed.
"People feel that agencies don't care," says Val. "Support work is about helping them to have confidence. So we ring to make the appointment, but the client has to go themselves."
In one case, Val found a client a flat but he then went into prison. He wanted the tenancy kept open as he had been homeless for...
Comments Read more »