Bethany Christian Trust - Aberdeen Services

Bethany Trust Winter Care Shelter

We have been running a Winter Care Shelter for rough sleepers in the city of Aberdeen since the winter of 2008/09 and, in December 2010, Aberdeen City Council commissioned Bethany Christian Trust to provide this service from December 13th to April 3rd 2011.

The Winter Care Shelter has over the past three  years offered an immediate response to the needs of vulnerable men and women  n the streets of Aberdeen and we have aimed to provide safe and secure overnight accommodation and a hot meal for anyone who might otherwise be sleeping rough, whilst also using the opportunity to support each individual to secure more permanent accommodation, and offer them support also to engage with other appropriate services that would benefit them in their circumstances.

The project was supported by 24 teams, 14 venues and 250 volunteers, and 140 people used the service, with 50 individuals moved into accommodation. Bethany
would like to take this opportunity to thank DCFC for all their support in providing finances and volunteers, which has had such an impact on the city.

Our vision: “Through Christian love in action, homelessness will be reduced and vulnerable people empowered to live independently within society.”

Tuesday Cappuccino Club

A group of young mums attend Bethany Trust’s Cappuccino Club at Tillydrone’s Lighthouse each Tuesday morning for coffee, homebakes and friendship. A nonthreatening atmosphere has produced a place where these women feel able to speak openly about their life situations and difficulties.

Thank God for a core group who come faithfully each week and pray for hearts to be healed and lives transformed by Jesus’ love.

DCFC-Supported Bethany Trust Project ‘Passing-the-Baton’

Buddying

We have one female member currently running with this befriending/buddying project, supported by two Deeside buddies, and a ‘Hit Squad’ decorating team, which successfully completed a project before Christmas (see ‘Hit Squad’ note). It has proved difficult to engage with male candidates and we are looking at ways to address this, possibly by buddying people who are already well-embedded in Deeside or Bethany projects.

Prayer point: There is a need for more volunteers with time to get alongside project members on a weekly basis.

Hit Squad

Hit Squads are part of Passing-the-Baton's Social Action Programme.

DCFC's Hit Squad is a new venture and one of only two in Aberdeen. Our role is to "support Passing-the-Baton members to carry out basic DIY work, and painting and decorating in their own accommodation". The aim is to turn their house into a home and, in doing so, give these vulnerable people a strong message that they are not alone at this difficult time, and that there are people who care.

We have successfully undertaken two projects so far, in Tillydrone. The work is sporadic, so as the next projects are being planned please pray:

• that finance can be donated or raised for wallpaper and paint, etc.
• that more people with decorating skills (or a willingness to learn some!) would volunteer a few hours to join us and help. We are at present a very small team, so this is vital.

 See www.bethanychristiantrust.com/?page_id=151

Contact: Dave Pratt
T: 07885567329
E: aberdeen@bethanychristiantrust.com