Stepping Stone 2002/3

FAITH Christian Group Reading ran a "Stepping Stone" project during the winter of 2002/03.

Apart from odd nights on church hall floors, FAITH had never had the opportunity of providing accommodation to the needy and vulnerable people that we work with on an almost daily basis.

The Stepping Stone provided just such an opportunity. From our first meeting with the Mayor of Reading in September, it was a real rollercoaster ride, and a very steep learning curve until we managed to open midway through December 2002.

The premises, the old Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Reading town centre, were provided free of charge by Reading Borough council during the winter months. We initially received funding from CRISIS, and we have also received grants from the Earley Charity, the Drug Action Team, along with donations from many churches, businesses and individuals.

We were greatly helped in the preparation of the building by another national charity called CRASH which organises local building firms all around the country to provide materials and labour at a very much reduced cost for the setting up of day centres and night shelters for the homeless. The local firm in our case was George Wimpey to whom we are most grateful as they were able to put in two showers, a new kitchen and also upgrade the fire alarm systems.

During the 14 weeks that we were open we provided a bed for 114 individuals, some for a single night, others for almost the length of the project. Thanks mainly to the involvement of the Reading CAT (Contact and Assessment Team) almost half were able to move on into accommodation in hostels, shared housing, bedsits, flats and rehabilitation centres, or back to their home town (one lady was even able to be provided with a ticket back to Germany).