changing livesAnnual review 2008

CoventryJesus Centre

Mission statement

“Expressing the love of Jesus daily inworship, friendship and help for everykind of person.”

This report tells of how we haveachieved our charitable aims in 2008.

More detail on our aims is availableat www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/ (search for ‘JesusArmy Charitable Trust’).

AIM 1

MEETING NEEDTo give material and personalsupport

AIM 2

BUILDING CAPACITYTo help people make realprogress in their lives

AIM 3

PROMOTING CHRISTIANITYTo recommend the Christian faith,hold Jesus Fellowship events and runspiritual services

AIM 4

DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLSTo foster friendship, and providerecreational and community facilities

AIM 5

BEING AN EFFECTIVE CHARITYTo work well, and constructivelywith other agencies anddevelop volunteers

2

When I had nowhere else to go it’s been a help. The food hassaved me and the staff are very helpful and friendly.Visitor to Bridge drop-in

Who

weare Jesus Centres are set up and run by the Jesus Army

Charitable Trust. JACT is a registered charity (no.1091912) and a Faithworks Affiliate. JACT is aninitiative of the Jesus Fellowship Church (Jesus Army),which is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

“ ”

Many activities raced aheadof expectations last year.We borrowed a new word -hectivity! Space for donatedbicycles from our newRe-Cycle initiative competed

with food parcels for visitors let down bythe benefits system. So our volunteersand visitors together built two storageshelters - funded from donations. Thefollowing statistics show the increase inactivity in the centre over the last year:

� Active volunteers went up by 18,including 11 who first came as visitors

� We received 250 donations, comparedwith under 200 in 2007

� Lettings went up by a third, when wethought they’d reached the limit

� 16 visitors joined the Church throughbaptism

� The total number of tenants placedthrough our Bond Scheme passed 100.

Have we maintained our specialatmosphere and heart? We think so, asthese quotes demonstrate:

“My son become more sharing,talkative, learnt some good manners.”Mother from Little Ark Mums & Tots.

“My relationship with God is growing;I’ve made loads of friends.”Visitor who has become a volunteer.

We also have plans to improve further.We feel our Café’s got overlooked in ourservices. Now we’re talking to architectsabout a new extension. We’d like to coaxin a wider section of local folks to enjoyour updated menu.

The UK’s present financial challengesmean the possible loss of income, justwhen our vulnerable visitors will need useven more. So a big thank you to themany donors who have helped us -often again and again.

Ian Callard, Chairman

A message from the chair

3

Pete’s changedPete Montgomery was one of the firstpeople to visit the Bridge drop-in when itopened in 2002. Six years later he wasbaptised and then became a volunteer,working in the kitchen and drop-in.

He said: “After my marriage finished in 2001 I lived inhostels and my drinking got a lot worse. When I came toThe Bridge I relaxed and enjoyed it. I finally stoppeddrinking after a medical crisis; I didn’t want my twodaughters to grow up remembering me like that. I knew Ihad to break away from the wrong people and I wantedto be around the church and good friends - it’s what life isall about. Now I am much happier and more confidentand I enjoy joining in.”

4

I was homeless and a raving drug addict. I’ve now got place andI’m ten times better. I was shown faith and given support.Bond Scheme service user

MEETING NEEDTo give material andpersonal supportA

im1

“ ”

Ann Hawker makes a friend in the Bridge drop-in, Sylvia Tomascyk

The Bridge drop-in

The Bridge has been a haven forthousands since 2002. Over half of ourvisitors have no home of their own andtheir needs include mental health issues,addictions, family breakdown or failedasylum claims. We meet basic needsincluding food and hot drinks, freeclothing, shower and hygiene facilities. Ina typical week we have 350 visits. Wealso give food parcels to those in need -we provided up to 70 a week in 2008.

The key to the Bridge is friendship. Peoplefeel safe and at home, and they can startto make progress with our help.

The Bridge Bond Schemeand Support WorkersThe bond scheme enables people to getinto rented accommodation. It started inOctober 2005 and three years on had got110 people into flats or bed-sits. We workwith the Housing Benefit department andlocal landlords and we give ongoingtenancy support. The rate of tenancystability is high.

Gwen Harrison, 32, is just one of thepeople we have helped to date. She said:“I heard about the Jesus Centre when Iwas homeless and on drugs five yearsago. I went to the Bridge drop-in and

was told about the bond scheme. Val ismy Support Worker and she got me intoa two-bedroom flat. That meant I got myson Connor back. I was there for twoyears and then Val got me another flatand I then got my daughter Charlie backtoo. Now Val has moved us to a three-bedroom house and it's great. She hashelped so much. I've been clean fromheroin for three years and I’m gettingmarried next year. Thank you.”

The Bridge Bond Scheme and SupportWorkers are partly funded by thegovernment’s Supporting People fundingstream, and the city council also givessome financial support.

Bridge over troubled water

5

Alex in actionAlex has been very deaf since childhood.He is a trained volunteer at the JesusCentre, working in the kitchen.

He said: “I am doing a catering course atcollege, so the work isn’t difficult. It’s been good to makelots of friends at the centre. My disability has isolated mefor years but I feel accepted here.”

6

My life has changed completely,I now work there as a volunteer.Bridge drop-in visitor

Aim

2“ ”

BUILDING CAPACITYTo help people make realprogress in their lives

Adam Bradford and David Mohammed enjoy Your Space

Your Future

Anyone’s future depends on what skillsthey have. Your Future courses providetraining in bite-sized pieces. Each courseis a ‘starter’ of a few weeks. They runon Friday mornings and are free andrelaxed, and certificates are given forparticipation. Courses run in 2008included:

� Conservation work at Ryton Pools

� Bicycle repair

� Bike rides

� Making Choices confidence building(adult education tutor)

� Healthy walks

� Music appreciation

� Healthy cookery.

More capacity buildingOther activities run by the centrein 2008 included:

� IT For Starters - to help anyone to usea computer from scratch

� Re-Cycle bicycle repair - to trainpeople, recycle bikes and generaterevenue

� Mental Health Awareness training

� Choral singing evenings

� Creative Art evenings, art in YourSpace, and Your Art painting anddrawing group

� Talk English conversation fornon-English speakers.

Visitor to volunteerOne of the best ways that people cangain new skills and confidence is bybecoming a trained volunteer. It oftenstarts with a visitor wanting to help out asa way to give something back and makegood use of their time. The next stage isto be taken through the volunteerinduction process, including interview,training videos and orientation.It is very encouraging to see thosewho came in need of help becomingable to help others.

Growing people

7

Carrie-Ann becomes a Christian“I used to believe there is something outthere but I didn't know what. I came tothe Jesus Centre and Your Life and I wasintroduced to God and helped tounderstand about him.

“It felt like home and I believe God brought me here.People helped me with friendliness, acceptance and bylistening to me and being there for me when I was at myworst. I was invited to church and someone prayed forme and I felt the presence of God. You've helped methrough a lot of hard times.”

8

The Church has taught me loyalty,faith, friendship and love.Visitor, now a volunteer

Aim

3“ ”

PROMOTING CHRISTIANITYTo recommend the Christian faith, hold JesusFellowship events and run spiritual services

Dorothy McConnichie and Gina Bunyan at the volunteers evening

The Jesus Centre

Francis of Assisi is reported to have said:“Preach the gospel at all times, ifnecessary using words”. Our aim is tohave Jesus at the centre of everythinghere. Anyone is welcome, regardless ofcreed, but we aim to demonstratesomething of what Jesus is like by theway we treat people. Actions speak.

There are services that specificallypromote the Christian faith, such as YourLife lunchtime fellowship or Solid RockCafé, our Sunday night church event.Some services include a Christianapproach, such as Habit Breaker which

tackles addictions with faith, and Live atthe Well which is mostly gospel-driven.Other services provided have no Christiancontent but take place in the atmosphereof the centre.

Spirituality is a vital part of most peoples’lives. When they use our services, theyhave the chance to find spiritual supportas well. Some choose Christiancommitment, so we baptised over 16visitors in 2008. Others find new moralstrength or a vision for their lives.

Your Life was a real success in 2008.Simon or Tony led it on Tuesdaylunchtimes, and it included watching

a video, prayer for healing, and freepizza! It has a spiritual atmosphere andwarmth that brings people back formore, and new faces often come too.

One of our recent visitors said: “I am gladand grateful for the centre and I’vereintroduced myself back into society. Asan ex-nurse, I have tremendous respectfor what you do to help people, a bit likeSt Francis of Assisi. I personally have along way to go but I feel hopeful! Eventhough I have only been coming for twoweeks I have met a lot of genuine peoplewhom I hope will be my new friends.”

Be the gospel

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Keith gets things movingKeith Harvey, volunteer and bicycleenthusiast leads Re-Cycle.

He said: “Bikes are donated to us and werepair them. We sell them to people who

need them, such as a centre visitor who needs to get to ajob. After the costs of repair are covered we make somemoney that goes towards the work of the centre too.

“The best part is having people come along and help.That builds their confidence and brings them out ofthemselves. People can also bring their bikes in for repairand all we charge for is parts. They can make a donationon top if they want. The scheme seems to be a winnerand ticks all the right boxes.”

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The staff members are very co-operative, I like their attitudes,behaviours - I would like to continue to come here.Visitor to Little Ark’s Mums & Tots

Aim

4“ ”

DEVELOPING SOCIAL SKILLSTo foster friendship, and providerecreational and community facilities

Steve Harris at work at Re-Cycle

Joining in

For many people the next step towardsproductive lives is having somethingpositive to do. Constructive activity andthe chance to make friends are keyaspects of services like Your Space, YourMove, Re-Cycle, and Little Ark Mums &Tots groups.

Your Space is an activity zone whichattracts many people to its friendlyatmosphere. It has proved so popular onWednesdays that a second session hasbeen added on Fridays and numbershave reached 40 a session. Activitiesinclude board games, table tennis, pool,

artwork, computer access, one-to-onesupport where required and free snacksand drinks. Dan, a regular visitor, said:“Your Space is an excellent place forpeople to talk and meet. It seems peoplecome for support and advice, as well asto enjoy the activities on offer.”

Your Move and Your Time alternate onThursdays. They include outings,gardening and spiritual exploration. Ledby young volunteers like Daryl and Dave,they are quite experimental and vibrant.

Mums & Tots

Little Ark Mums & Tots group is held onFriday mornings and attracts a lot of

mums. A recent visitor said: “I am helpedvery much by this centre because mychild learns so much about sharing andplaying with other children.”

Support groups

Support groups run at the centre during2008 included Your Hope, which dealswith coping with depression and anxiety,Habit Breaker, which tackles addictionsspiritually and Survivors - a supportgroup for those bereaved by suicide.The groups give people the opportunityto share in a safe supportiveenvironment.

Developing social skills

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Kieran reaches new clientsCommunity Alcohol Service (CAS) workerKieran McInerney said: “It has beenparticularly useful in allowing me to meetwith clients who might not attendappointments at CAS. It helps deliver a

service to hard to reach clients.

“Joint working has helped deliver results and volunteersand staff have been supportive and helpful.

“In June we undertook Alcohol Awareness Training forJesus Centre staff and volunteers.

“Having Margot and Joe from the Anchor Centre attend isalso helpful. For example, I have seen a client who hasreported health problems, and I have been able to passthe client over to Margot for medical advice.”

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You are doing a fantastic job in thecommunity and we are proud of you.Pastor Eniwaju Etomi (Redeemed Church of God)

Aim

5A“ ”

Nigel Gallagher behind the cafe counter

BEING AN EFFECTIVE CHARITYTo work well, and constructivelywith other agencies

Outreach workers

A number of agencies run services at thecentre to complement what we do. Weaim to help people that are hard to reachand help agencies to do the same.Agencies that visited in 2008 included:

� The Anchor medical team

� The Community Alcohol Service

� Local Jobs employment and trainingagency

� The Oral Health Team

� The Council’s Health Development Unit

� HDU Smoking Cessation clinic

� Cyrenians accommodationoutreach team

� Discretionary Housing Paymentadvisor

� MIND

� Podiatry service.

We also work closely with landlords’agents and meet with clients together.

Money

It costs about £200,000 per year to runthe centre.

This is raised from hire of rooms, saleof breakfast vouchers, the café, ourown church giving, Supporting Peoplefunding, trust grants and businessand public gifts.

By using this money effectively we haveachieved the following in the past year:

� 29 new bond scheme tenancies

� 20 active services maintained

� 40 food parcels issued per week

� 350 Bridge drop-in visits on average,including 10 new people and nineoutcomes (counts of significantprogress made), per week

� 150 visits and 25 outcomes per weekfor all other services

� Plus many lives have been changed.

We also have 60 volunteers, 11 staff anda wide impact on many people beyondthe centre.

Partnership works

13

Dorothy gets a new viewDorothy McConnichie is a volunteer at thecentre. She said: “I have really enjoyedbeing part of the team at the Bridge andworking with Tony at Your Space.

“I have found you all a real encouragement and at timesI have been challenged in my thinking to embrace newideas. God has challenged me on my heart attitudetoward the marginalised and how to walk with peopleat different stages in their journeys.

“Thanks for giving me an opportunity to sharein your vision.”

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I have increased in confidence at leading afternoon activitiesand feel more able to make friends and deal with people.Visitor, now a volunteer

Aim

5B“ ”

BEING AN EFFECTIVE CHARITYTo work well and develop volunteers

Piers Young, Centre Manager on reception

Staff and volunteers

We have the equivalent of almost eightfull time staff including managers, afundraiser, catering supervisor, supportworkers, administrators and amaintenance man. Tony Schelts, supportworker, said: “The job has awoken myspiritual life - I’m now aware of issuesand get inspired more easily.”

We also have more than 60 activevolunteers and have trained 34 visitors tobecome volunteers since we opened (12were active at the time of publication).Gill is our volunteer coordinator and looksafter our people to make sure they getthe support and training they need. They

include committee members, marketinghelpers, IT support, cleaners, drop-inteams and support partners.

We hold annual training days - this year’swas attended by 54 people (includingsome from Birmingham where a newcentre is being planned). We also held avolunteers’ event in March, with food,videos, prayer, and games as a way tosay thank you.

Our supportersLocal supporters are a lifeline for us.Schools have given us tins and driedfoods for making up food parcels fromharvest festival collections, clothingdonations come in daily from the public

and more than 100 bibles were donatedafter an appeal to churches.

We keep our supporters informed withour quarterly newsletter and eBulletinand also invite donors to coffee morningsto see the work of the centre in action.

Going green

By turning off equipment overnight,tweaking the thermostat down andrecycling (paper, cooking oil, clothing,printer cartridges just to name a few), wework hard to make sure the centre is kindto the environment. Being green also helpsus to save costs - for example ten of oureleven staff work within two miles of thecentre saving the cost of travelling and fuel.

Benefiting volunteers

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CoventryJesus Centre

Opening Hours

Monday - 10am to 1pmTuesday - 9am to 4pmWednesday - 9am to 4pmThursday - 9am to 4pmFriday - 9am to 4pmSaturday - 9am to 12noonSunday - 9am to 10.30am

Where we are

Lamb Street is a one-waystreet off Bishop Street(turn off the ringway nextto the canal basin) andleading to Upper WellStreet near the BelgradeTheatre.

Venue for hire

We hire out rooms at theJesus Centre as a socialfacility, and to raiserevenue. Informationabout lettings is availableon request, or onwww.covjc.co.uk.

Heartcry appealJesus Army Charitable Trust, Nether Heyford,Northampton, NN7 3LBTel: 0845 166 8174 • Fax: 0845 166 8178

Coventry Jesus Centre7 Lamb Street, Coventry, CV1 4AETel: 0845 166 8205 • Fax: 0845 166 8204Email: info@coventryjesuscentre.org.uk

Thank youWe gratefully acknowledge thefollowing donors of goods ormoney to the Jesus Centre:

� Alderminster Quality Meats

� Alderman's Green PrimarySchool

� All Saints Church, Allesley

� AXA Equity & Law

� Bablake school

� Bilton Evangelical Church

� Blakemore Foundation

� Cannon Park Primary School

� Cheshunt School

� Christian Funds International

� Christian Initiative Trust

� Clifford Bridge CommunityAssociation

� Community Dental Team

� Coventry Cathedral KnittingGroup

� Coventry City Mission

� Coventry City Council &Supporting People

� Dhaliwal fruit and veg store

� Earlsdon Primary School

� Ecover

� Elco Uk Ltd

� FareShare

� Foleshill C of E School

� Green Lane Town's Women'sGuild

� Health Development Unit

� Hillfields Christian Fellowship

� Holyhead Road UnitedReformed Church

� Housing Benefit Office staff

� Jubilee Church

� Keresley United ReformedChurch

� Knights Meadow Church

� Limbrick Wood Baptist Church

� Liz and Terry BramhallCharitable Trust

� Marks & Spencer

� Matthews Wrightson CharityTrust

� Moseley Primary School

� New Horizons Church

� NP Aerospace Ltd

� Park House Charitable Trust

� Potters Green UnitedReformed Church

� Redeemed Christian Church ofGod Holy Ghost Zone

� Sacred Heart Catholic School

� Seedfield Trust

� St Columba's United ReformedChurch

� St. Laurence's Church

� St Michael's Committee

� Stivichall Primary School

� Subway

� Templars Primary School

� Walsgrave Baptist Church

� Willenhall Community Primary

School

� The Coutts Charitable Trust

� Westwood Church

� Wyken United Reformed

Church

� Many other private donors.

There are Jesus Centres in Northampton (0845 166 8202) and London (0845 8333 005). A Sheffield Centre is in development.National Jesus Centre information is available on request. This review was produced at the Coventry Jesus Centre. © Jesus Army Charitable Trust 2009 www.coventry.jesuscentre.org.uk