UK's First Multi-Faith Homeless Shelter Recruits 200 Volunteers From Six Different Faith Groups

The UK's first multi faith homeless shelter started in Leicester on Monday with more 200 volunteers from six different faith groups taking part.

One Roof Leicester (ORL) will move around different faith venues over the next 11 weeks as it provides food and emergency accommodation for ten rough sleepers each night. Thought to be the first of its kind in the country, the shelter brings together Anglican, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh groups across the area.

The shelter will house ten people for 11 weeks in Leicester. One Roof Leicester

Manager Salma Ravat told Christian Today the support had been "overwhelming" from all the different faiths.

"We have seen a rise in the number of rough sleepers in Leicester and we thought this was a great way for everyone to take responsibility.

"Where traditionally it has been done by a couple of faith groups, mainly churches, we thought let us see if we can inspire the wider faith community to take part and be involved."

She added: "We are really excited about offering this extra provision."

The said the cross-faith initiative had "sparked something in everyone".

She said the benefits were felt not just by the ten guests who had somewhere warm to sleep but also by the volunteers. "The wider ramifications of this are building community, building trust with faith groups working together.

"You can see the benefits for the guests but in terms of all the people involved, everyone gets so much out of this experience."

The project is funded by the charity Human Appeal as well as the Christian charity Housing Justice and the Church of England's interfaith Near Neighbours project.

One Roof Leicester brings in volunteers from across seven faith groups. One Roof Leicester

Hate crime spiked after the UK's vote to leave the European Union, particularly against minority faith groups.

But Ravat said the homeless shelter would help to combat tensions.

"Any positive action that communities do together that helps to build relationships also helps us to understand each other," she told Christian Today.

"People are going out and not necessarily volunteering with their own faith group," she said, adding ORL encouraged people from one religion to volunteer when the shelter was at another venue to help promote good relations.

The Reverend Helen Hayes, a priest working with the homeless and chair of ORL, said: "I am so proud of what the One Roof team have achieved with the countries first multi faith night shelter. It has been such a privilege to see the seeds of an idea grow into a remarkable project that seeks to bring faith groups together to provide shelter and care for people who are homeless." 

News
Christian leaders deeply disappointed by Commons backing for assisted suicide
Christian leaders deeply disappointed by Commons backing for assisted suicide

Church leaders have expressed deep disappointment after the House of Commons voted in favour of legalising assisted suicide. 

Committed anti-assisted suicide campaigner dies days before crunch vote
Committed anti-assisted suicide campaigner dies days before crunch vote

Philip Bateman had practical concerns about assisted suicide but ultimately believed it to be against God's plan for us.

'This is a deeply flawed and dangerous Bill' - Care Not Killing's response to assisted suicide vote
'This is a deeply flawed and dangerous Bill' - Care Not Killing's response to assisted suicide vote

Dr Gordon Macdonald, CEO of Care Not Killing, responds to the Third Reading vote in the House of Common in which legislation legalising assisted suicide passed by a narrow majority of 314 votes to 291

Christians 'grieved' after MPs back assisted suicide by just 23 votes
Christians 'grieved' after MPs back assisted suicide by just 23 votes

Christians have reacted with sadness after MPs today voted in favour of Kim Leadbeater's bill to legalise assisted suicide.