The Joel Project

Following the announcement by KCAH that from the end of June 2022 the Joel Centre would no longer be used as the premises for their drug stabilisation work, the Trustees of Joel Community Services (the charity that owns the Joel Centre) began a period of prayer and consultation to seek a fresh vision for the Joel Centre. Below is an update, broadly as sent on 1st July 2002 from the Chair of Joel Community Services to former and current supporters:

Dear Supporter

Following my previous email about the sad closure of KCAH’s drug stabilisation project and the new opportunities for the Joel Centre, I am writing to give you an update on what I hope you will agree are exciting plans for the future.

A Scripture that has been particularly on our minds as we’re prayed about the Joel Centre has been this:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6: 9-10)

From our consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, it has become apparent that our post-pandemic context means that the Joel Centre is no longer so well suited for the purposes it has served in the past. At the same time, we’ve become aware of other vulnerable groups who are in need, or soon to be in need, of accommodation where they could be part of a Christian community.

The Vision

In particular, there are a group of refugees at St Peter’s – many of whom suffer from trauma, loneliness, and related mental health issues – who would significantly benefit from living in a communal space where they could be shown love and support. One of them recently wrote to the Home Office: “I have not seen my family for many years...I am very depressed…I ask you to help to change my life…the accommodation [where I] live now is not a good place and I do not feel safe and I am suffering from a lot of depression and stress and it is not a good place for me. Please move me to the Kingston are, which is close to my church and provide me with a good home…” It is our hope that this young refugee and others like him would find a degree of healing and liberation in a new home with a warm community, and in turn be able to serve and show hospitality to others.

The Joel Trustees have therefore decided that we will make the Joel Centre accommodation initially available to members of St Peter’s and nearby churches who are a) in need of accommodation; b) would appreciate living in a community; and c) are eligible for housing benefit, or who could pay a sub-market rent. We would expect the accommodation to be a home to four or five residents, or perhaps more if they were willing to share rooms. And we would envisage supporting their transitions into sustainable employment and independent living.

Having accommodation so close to the church would enable us to offer a range of opportunities to engage in our church life, to receive English lessons, courses to enhance employability, and support that we could make available to the wider community. We would also look at ways to encourage the residents to show hospitality to other refugees or church members, perhaps giving them a budget to supply ingredients for weekly meals. There seem so many possibilities if we can work out how to share resources in a fruitful way.

Partnership

One of the aspects of Joel that has been so important and special is how it has bought different churches together in seeking God’s Kingdom through working with the vulnerable. Our hope is that that will continue to work together in this next phase of life, whether through volunteering, referring refugees, or financially sharing with those in need. For that reason we do hope some of you would consider making this vision possible through giving a one-off or regular donation.

If you would now like to support the new vision for the Joel Centre, then I’d encourage you to consider setting up a standing order, praying, or letting us know if you would like to voluteer. If you’d like to build on Peter Holmes’ passion for a holistic way of caring for the vulnerable in a context of a Christian community, then we’d encourage you to be generous, so as to support refugees who are part of the family of believers.

The bank details for Joel Community Services, if you’d like to join with us in this vision, are:

Joel Community Services

CAF Bank

Sort Code: 40-52-40

A/C: 00025841

On behalf of the Joel Trustees I pray God’s blessing upon you, that you would experience his refreshment like streams of living water.

Yours in Christ

Hugo Foxwood

Chair of Joel Community Services

Vicar of St Peter’s Norbiton

 info@joelcommunityservices.org