Care Centre plans
BCM's new Care Centre Manager, Phil Ansell, talks about his life and plans for the future of the homeless drop-in centre.
As a teenager my PE teacher told me I wasn’t good enough to play football for my school team, so I joined my local Boys' Brigade company. My BB captain allowed me to play for their team as long as I went to church on Sundays!
After many years of resisting, I made a commitment on 4th August 1985 and acceptedJesus Christ as my personal saviour. Looking back, I’m so pleased that my PE teacher told me I wasn’t good enough.
Before working for the Birmingham City Mission, I was employed by the NHS for 22 years providing support to men, women and young people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction in prison. The last 8 years I was based in HMP Birmingham.
At the beginning of this year I found it increasingly difficult to fulfil some of the requirements of the post, so I took a step of faith and handed in my notice. Shortly after I saw on social media BCM's Care Centre Manager job advert.
Four weeks into the post and I am so thankful to be working for an organisation whose heart is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to pray for the city of Birmingham. It's been good to provide meals and get into conversation with the men and women guests and then as a team of staff and volunteers to pray for those who have come.
One day we asked a guest if he would like a hot meal and drink, and he replied,'No, I’m the environmental health officer and have come to inspect your building!'
I have so many plans and ideas for the Care Centre. At the heart I want everyone to have a hope in Jesus Christ, no matter what their background may be. Ideas we are considering and avenues we are pursuing include a debt workshop (partnering with Christians Against Poverty), providing basic life skills and holding group sessions to explore the Christian faith.
Please pray for these plans and get in touch if you have any skills you can offer as a Care Centre volunteer, such as:
· hair cutting
· cutting toenails and tending feet
· job applications
· interview coaching
· arts and crafts
· preparing healthy meals
· supporting with literacy and numeracy
If you have any free time on weekday afternoons (Mon to Thurs), we are looking for more volunteers to help serve guests.
Call Phil on 0121 7929572 or email philansell@birminghamcitymission.co.uk
