I wanted a post at the beginning of this adventure to explain why I support West End Impact, and why I am willing to push myself to do this to try and fundraise for them. At the top of the page, along with the home button, the how-to donate button, and a page about me, there is also a page about Impact, telling you in their words what it is they do.

But that is the official, non-emotive publicity. It doesn’t say what Darren and I have seen, or why we wanted to be involved.

WEI is a Christian charity. That doesn’t mean that the beneficiaries are Christian, although some are. It means that it was set up by the church (Morecambe Community Church) and other Christians as a practical way of living out their faith. There is no vetting, religious or otherwise, everyone is welcome and there are no religious leaflets pressed on people or insistence on a sermon before food. (or after). We don’t hide our faith, but we don’t insist on bringing it up either – help is available for everyone.

When Darren and I first looked around WEI we were shown the building by the then chair of trustees. He was telling us how hot meals were served on a Sunday lunchtime to the local homeless population and to anyone else who was in need of a free hot meal. With this being Sunday lunchtime we wondered how much pressure there might be for those who wanted food to attend the service first. To our joy, we were told that the two were totally separate apart from the fact that many of the volunteers were church members. The church service is usually not only over, but cleared and people have left the building before others start arriving.

We have seen lots of other things as well. We’ve seen volunteers talking about those they have served in advice sessions or foodbank, or those who have just turned up at the door, without breaking any confidentiality but with compassion and dedication. We’ve seen a desire to meet basic needs, food, shelter, safety, alongside a desire to help people move forward and begin to build or rebuild their lives. We’ve seen a sensible approach of not replicating work that others are doing well, so WEI supports other groups such as AA and Red Rose Recovery and refers to them when necessary. We’ve also seen a willingness to work alongside someone for as long as it takes. People in need of a food parcel aren’t turned away because they had one for the last couple of weeks. Those asking for help with housing applications can come back the next week with paperwork that confuses them and ask for more help, and as they are settled into accommodation can call in to say how they are doing and talk about the next steps of help with job search, benefit claims, mental health, etc. We’ve seen those who have received help coming in as volunteers and then going on to gain qualifications and jobs.

All of this has shown us that a small charity working in one poverty-stricken area of one town can make a difference to individual lives. Over the past five years or so I have become more and more disenchanted with politics. The gap between rich and poor has been rising and more people than ever before are not only in poverty but need the help of food banks and other resources. Many of these are people who are employed or who are just unlucky. Some might live next door to you, all are your neighbour. Campaigning for political change is important, but practical help is needed now. Politics isn’t changing lives, but a bit of food, a smile, a listening ear, help with a phone call or a benefit form, treating people as people, that can do and this is what we’ve seen that has caused both Darren and I to be involved with West End Impact.

As I do these walks and post about the walk, I will also post occasionally about things WEI are doing, either more details about different parts of their work or about the 20th-anniversary celebrations.

Because there is hope.