The hopes and fears
Every day in the UK, 4 homeless people die, the majority of suicide or drugs. Care Centre Manager, Phil Ansell, talks about both the fears and hopes for those who come to the centre.
I love singing Christmas carols. I wish we could sing them all the year round! A line in O little town of Bethlehem goes, 'The hopes and fears of all the years are met in you tonight.' The writer is saying that the coming of Jesus into the world brought a new hope to overcome humanity’s fears.
During this past 12 months staff and volunteers at the Care Centre have listened to many stories of humanity's fears, and I am regularly provided with homelessness data, both regionally and nationally. Sadly, it does not make pleasant reading.
Currently, in Birmingham alone, 27,504 households are on the local authority waiting list. 5, 500 families and 12,000 children are in temporary accommodation, with 2,000 children living in bed and breakfasts. Nationally, 3.12 million people are using food banks.
However, I found most deeply disturbing a report published in October by The Museum of Homelessness. It compiled data around homeless deaths. The number of people who died while homeless in the UK in 2024 was 1,611, an increase of 9% on the previous year and a record high. 11 were children. Every day in the UK, 4 homeless people die, with the majority of deaths linked to suicide or drugs.
As I write this BCM are planning to bring some seasonal hope and joy to those who regularly come along to the Care Centre throughout the year. Two Christmas meals will be provided, with 50 people coming along to each one. As well as enjoying a traditional Christmas meal, everyone will receive gifts. And of course we will be singing Christmas carols! Huge thanks to James Brindley Academy for providing the gifts, and to 'I’m homeless, get me out of here' for covering the cost of the turkeys and trimmings.
So, as we move into the advent season, our prayer is that we will bring hope, peace, joy and love to all who come to our Care Centre, especially at this time of year.
Phil Ansell, Care Centre Manager
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