A homelessness project in Liverpool faces losing its home of 30 years. For the last three decades, Roger Smalley has run the weekly service within the walls of St Bride's Church in the Georgian Quarter, serving up hot food for some of Liverpool's most vulnerable residents.
Roger and his team provide more than just nutritious food in the church hall - they've created a safe, and dignified space where people come every Thursday, connect with each other, and share their experiences. The support has been on offer in the city centre's Georgian Quarter since the mid-1990s, serving up approximately 60,000 meals, while Roger has invested £50,000 of his own money to keep food on the table.
Uncertainty after church decision
However, the future of the project has been plunged into uncertainty, after church authorities told Roger he can no longer use the building on Thursdays. Church officials told the ECHO the move was "the only viable option" but stressed further talks were due to take place.
Roger spent his working life as a truck driver, and launched the homelessness project in his late thirties when a short-lived university initiative folded after six months. Unwilling to watch vulnerable people left without vital support, he stepped into the void and started up his own group, and has continued to self-fund the scheme ever since.
The Liverpool ECHO was contacted by a member of Roger's volunteer team late last week, who spoke about the importance of the project, and their fears about how the church's decision will impact the people who use the service.
Reliability is key
Roger told the ECHO: "One of the most important aspects of the service is its reliability. People know that every Thursday at the same time, every week in the month, every month of the year, they can come and meet up, talk, and get a good meal."
"People who come here are often living chaotic lives, they're vulnerable, and many have got mental health problems. They come here because they know they'll be safe and always welcome, it's an anchor point, and they know they can depend on us."
"Over the years, it has become like a social institution, like a family, for the people who come, but also myself and the brilliant volunteers who work here. We all look out for each other."
Alternative day offered
Despite the project's unbroken 30-year service record, the church leadership has called time on the Thursday sessions, and while alternative days like Mondays have been floated, Roger knows the importance of routine for people on the streets, and fears any changes to that schedule risks losing contact with those most in need.
Roger added: "Even though the church officials know the importance of the service and how much people rely upon it, their decision will undoubtedly cause a great deal of pain and suffering to all concerned."
"We're still in dialogue and hopefully we'll find a pathway forward, but at this minute in time, none of us know."
Responding to the ECHO's questions about the situation, a spokesperson for St Bride's Church told us: "The homelessness project at St Bride's Church has been a hugely successful initiative, supporting many people experiencing homelessness over the years."
"Following discussions about collaborating with other churches, we are planning a further project focused on recovery. Unfortunately, it would not be possible to run both projects on the same evening, so we have offered an alternative day for the homelessness project to continue, as this was the only viable option."
"That said, further discussions are scheduled to take place, and we remain very grateful for the team's continued commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness across the city."
