The Homeful Project

THE MOTHERS MESSAGES PROJECT STORY

Rough Sleepers are Spiritual Beings

I moved to Leicester in 2006 and have always been interested in working with the homeless in Church Projects like Triangle (providing food and a God Spot) at Holy Trinity Church. When I finished working as Lead Dog Trainer at RECOVERY Assistance Dogs in March 2021 I felt that I was sent to do something for Homeful People (those rough sleepers that are often Christians who are looking for the opportunity to find the quality of life promised by Jesus to them). Most of the homeless people I meet in the City Centre, Oadby,  Queens Road, Upperton Road and other areas are often Christians who want to build together their own Faith Community or Church. They would like to learn to fundraise properly and be trained in street evangelism to spread the Good News of how Jesus died for us all to be saved from our suffering and if we believe in him we can have a quality of life that they want to take possession of. 

Our Vision of Homeful Faith Communities

So I have signed up for a Fuller Seminary Church Planting Course that will finish in April 2022. Am working through the Workbooks ( (Joining God's Mission, Holistic Evangelism, Formation for Planters), building and discipling a team that will be guided by the Homeful People and the Holy Spirit to fulfil our Vision of Homeful Faith Communities all over the UK so that no-one needs to be socially isolated or have to sleep outside again. 

 Homeful People Training in Almsgiving

We will raise the money by training the Homeful People to be Street Evangelists and Street Collection Fundraisers as well as this Crowdfunder Project. They will hold collection tins and Mothers Messages Flyers to raise the money they need to sleep in a Bed & Breakfast, have enough food to eat, clothes to wear while we support them to talk to the Social Workers and get temporary or long-term accommodation. We are applying for Funding to pay for an Admin Worker and Supporters Training Staff and Support Workers from Brevio and Crowdfunder. 

What's it really like sleeping on the streets of Leicester?

“I try and get £15 a day sat here, “ Fiona, name changed due to confidentiality, (47) explained to me a few months ago. “That means I can spend the night in a bed and breakfast. “I get enough probably to stay somewhere four nights of the week. The other nights I’m on the streets, sleeping in a shop doorway.“It’s horrible, it doesn’t matter what the weather’s like but I’ve got no other choice.”

We helped Fiona get a Social Worker and now she has some accommodation (a bed sit near Tudor Road). Yet she is still needing to raise money as her benefits haven't come through. Once she is sustainable she says she would like to help to train others to raise the money they need for an overnight stay somewhere warm and safe. 

Please help to raise the funds to  start this innovative project and be part of this Mission to get Homeful People off the streets of Leicester and into overnight,  temporary and longer term accommodation.