"Being on the End of the Phone"

by Esther Smith

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(Manning the phones for CFL's Housing Support Project)

CFL's Housing Support project is currently supporting over 100 people who would otherwise be alone in the world. The dedicated team of staff are currently assisted by three volunteers, who all give one day each week helping to visit people and offer the long term care which is so much needed.

Each day, staff members and volunteers visit young and older people who have, for many different reasons, ended up homeless or at great risk of homelessness, and then they begin the long process of unraveling the painful issues which have led to that situation.

As the team gradually get to know people, they are able to provide the crucial help that is needed and it is wonderful to see very damaged and vulnerable men and women “come alive” as they move into a safe home, start to receive the appropriate benefits or are able to start work or college.

Now that CFL has its amazing new facilities at Crag House Farm, more and more of those supported in the community are attending projects at the farm, doing art, music, conservation, horticulture or working with animals. They are gradually drawn into a sense of belonging to a safe and loving “family” and this really does make all the difference in the world!

Virtually every day the phone rings in the Housing Support office and a story emerges of someone desperately in need of our help. Tragically, we cannot always help immediately, although we are currently taking steps to be able to help many more people. Carole is now the person on the end of the phone, and she writes,

“It is very hard to listen to someone's story of being homeless or badly housed, of mental or physical health problems, substance misuse or domestic violence and know that we cannot step in straight away and offer a lifeline to the most needy and vulnerable people in our city. When people feel that they cannot cope alone, are in danger of becoming homeless because of it, are desperate for support and all we can do is put them on our waiting list, knowing that it could be months before we might be able to offer any help, if at all, it can be a very upsetting experience.

So many of the stories we listen to are beyond anything one could imagine. I find it particularly difficult with the many teenagers who are referred to us - so many of them just 16 or 17 - who have no family to turn to, or indeed have to be protected from their family. To be that young and out on your own must be a terrifying experience, and my biggest wish would be that we could always say “yes” to anyone who falls into that age range, to save them from getting into an even more difficult situation.

As well as housing support, there is also a great need for befriending throughout the city. So many people are terribly lonely and isolated, sometimes because they have no contact with family, or they have mental health issues which makes it difficult for them to get out and make friends.

The need for support throughout the city is enormous, the kind of issues that people are presented with are repeated time and time again, and our efforts sometimes feel like just a drop in the ocean. Yet I know that our service is vitally important to the people we support, and can make the difference between feeling alone and hopeless, and being filled with hope in their current situation and for the future.”

The majority of those being referred to CFL at the present time, and over the past two years, are aged 16 to 25, and most are teenagers. This is a dire situation.

In order to be able to help many more people, we are seeking funds to enable us to expand the team of staff working in this very needy area. We are also recruiting suitable volunteers to help with the ongoing task of befriending and supporting people on a long term basis.

We ensure that those in our care know who they can ring when they need help. Sometimes, all people need is to know that someone is on the end of the phone and will be willing just to listen and to care. This is very much at the heart of our motto: “Sharing the love of Jesus”.