Faith in Action, a Merton-based homeless charity, have launched a petition following a warning that they will soon be asked to leave their existing home. For nearly 25 years, they have been operating from the Salvation Army building in Wimbledon, but after a recent change in management, they have received warning that the Salvation Army will soon be serving them with a notice to leave the premises. This means that they could be without a venue to operate from as early as November this year.
This poses a serious threat to their work, as the building has become known to the people that they help, as a safe place where they can access food, hot showers, clothing and more. The charity offers drop-in sessions every Wednesday and Friday, where they welcome between 50 and 60 homeless or vulnerably-housed people from the local area. Here, they provide hot breakfasts, a two-course lunch, internet access and general support from the team – as well as a laundry and shower service. They also take donations from the public of clothes and other items, which are handed out to guests.
With this many services on offer, it’s not as simple as relocating for the charity. It’s difficult to find another building that would house up to 60 people at a time, especially once with the facilities they require.
Their current site is also highly accessible, thanks to its proximity to transport links and reputation in the area. Without this building as the base for Faith in Action, the group states that those in crisis will be left on the streets, unable to access the support they need. And with many using these facilities as a lifeline, there is a lot of concern over where the most vulnerable among us will turn if the charity is evicted.
A large percentage of the people they help struggle with addiction and mental health issues, making a sense of stability even more important.
Additionally, they run the Merton Winter Night Shelter, which acts as emergency accommodation for 12-14 people between December and March. Of course, an impending move puts this in jeopardy too.
With the future of Faith in Action currently up in the air, they are asking their supporters to sign a petition with the aim of saving their home. They are also hoping for an open dialogue with the Salvation Army, calling on them to recognise the need for this building as a base in the local community. And with more than 1,500 signatures already, it seems that the local community is really rallying behind them.
