Lilian Brown shares updates, encouragements, and prayer points related to Home for Good’s work across London.

Reflection

It has been such a blessing to join the amazing team at Home for Good and get to know all the amazing volunteers, champions, churches and individuals and the work you all do to play your part.

I love stories and I wanted to share one that struck me recently and made me think of what we can do to play our part in response to the Who Cares Campaign.

I popped into a shop recently on my lunch break. At the entrance I noticed on my right-hand side someone who was street homeless and on my left-hand side someone fundraising for a homeless charity. I went back out to speak to the worker. It led to what I can only describe as a God-ordained moment causing me to reflect on the blessing of churches in responding to the need of effectively caring for children and families in their community. We can see how the Lord equips churches to do it and we are privileged to help them on that journey.

Psalm 46:8: "Come and see what the Lord has done, the amazing things he has done on the earth”.

Recent highlight | Hillsong conference

Home for Good had the opportunity to attend the Hillsong conference in late October.

It was great to join the Hillsong Church family as they regathered post covid. It was a real privilege to be one of 4 main partners and the partnership that is developing between us and them. We had a lot of fun engaging people through our teapot competition (asking how many sweets were in the teapot as a symbol of how sometimes, support to someone who's isolated can be as simple as a cup of tea and a natter!)

We had a range of people engage with us, from people interested in fostering, adoption and supported lodgings, to supporting through volunteering with Safe Families to help prevent children entering care, and even with one former family lawyer.

We had the opportunity to share the Who Cares Campaign with both UK and international audiences. Through several conversations, we encountered a range of reactions—some people were shocked, while others were unsurprised. However, there was a shared agreement that action is urgently needed to bring about change for these children.

Many people were especially drawn to the idea of becoming a respite carer. If you have a heart to help but are unable to provide full-time care or supported lodgings for a young person, could respite care be a way for you to make a difference in the lives of children and young people in care?

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a respite carer, join us for our next Information Evening here.

Local activity

In London, we have agreements with Barnet local authority, Capstone fostering agency and PACT UK. In 2023, there were 334 children in care in Barnet and 527 children in care in Croydon. Croydon’s monthly dashboard in March 2023 highlighted the number of foster care household were decreasing. We continually pray the vision to find a home for everyone who needs one will continue to be championed. We want to help serve your churches response to the need.

We have been focusing on connecting with churches in Barnet and Croydon and have been blessed to begin conversations with people with a heart to love their local communities and keen to learn more about the need for children in care. We look forward to focusing on more speaking opportunities in the new year.

Introductions have been made to our longstanding Champions and if you have not seen an email yet there is a free coffee invite waiting for you. If you are not a Champion you can sign up here or contact the team for more information.

It has been a blessing to be a part of Croydon Churches Forum and Churches Together in South London praying into the mandate God has given the local churches to serve local communities well and to see God’s kingdom come. We have been blessed to see the unity of the local church.

What can I be praying for?

We would love you to stand with us in prayer as we continue to work to find a home for every child who needs one in London.

• Hearts will be stirred and homes opened to care for children need homes across London.
• Prayers for parents and carers who are having to parent from a distance. That they will feel the love of God and support from the church in this difficult season.
• Resources and time for churches that care and desire to support children and their families.
• Praying for children and young people to access the support they need in a timely way.
• Pray God may be glorified in the work that takes place.

How do I get in touch with a member of the Home for Good team?

Lilian Brown, London Engagement Coordinator

[email protected]