Christian housing organisations are hoping a new series of online videos will help stir the church into breaking the barriers facing the homeless.

The videos have been integrated into an online prayer calendar designed for use during Poverty & Homelessness Week from January 28 to February 5.

Each day of the calendar features a video story exploring the different barriers to progress for homeless people, such as stigmatisation, the impact of housing benefit cuts, and the lack of affordable housing.

The videos tell the powerful stories of people’s experiences of exclusion and offer inspirational ideas for how churches can respond.

Church Action on Poverty, Housing Justice and Scottish Churches Housing Action are encouraging churches to follow the prayer calendar via email, Facebook or Twitter.

Additional resources include a service outline and activities for children.

Alison Gelder, Director of Housing Justice, commented: “By being born as a baby in a stable, Jesus broke the barrier between God and humanity.

"We are calling on churches to be inspired by these videos and to use Poverty & Homelessness Action Week to break down the all too real and tragic barriers that exist in our own country right now.

"Using the prayer calendar, as well as the resources on the website, everyone can do something to make a difference.”

The videos are also available on DVD for use in church services and can be ordered at www.actionweek.org.uk