More at Home with the Homeless
April 2010
“I really felt that this was a call from the Lord … I got to know some of the people on
the street and realised that this was something I had a passion for.”
 Five years ago, Paul Atkin had worked his way up to a management position in the distribution industry, still the member of the Church Alive fellowship in Ladywood, Birmingham felt something was missing. Preferring to help the homeless than pursue his own professional ambitions, Paul took a near 75% pay cut to live off just £7,000 per year. Through Reachout Network Ministries, he is making a huge difference in the lives of vulnerable people in the city.
Now every Friday between 1030am – 3.30pm, the homeless and needy can access free meals, showers, welfare advice plus a friendly ear at The Ledbury Centre in Ladywood, Reachout’s base. Working in conjunction with several churches across the city, Reachout’s Friday sessions even include an art class and a short ‘God Slot’ – in response to the clients’ requests.
 On Mondays, Wednesdays and Sunday afternoons, Reachout’s team of volunteers venture out across Birmingham city centre and surrounding areas to provide soup, hot drinks, snacks and wares like sleeping bags to rough sleepers. In addition, Reachout’s founder Paul also visits rehabilitation centres and his newly rehoused clients to ensure they are all coping well. Paul and its volunteers regularly serve at least 20 people on each run and as the ministry has grown it has gone on to provide counselling and a referral service.
Motivation
“I really felt that this was a call from the Lord,” says Paul about Reachout. “Just before I gave up my job I had gone out on a soup run in Birmingham in which several churches worked together to feed the homeless and needy. I got to know some of the people on the street and realised that this was something I had a passion for. The motivation is simply to help broken people, those outside the church walls." Paul’s act is truly a step of faith: he doesn’t receive regular income for his efforts and is living off donations while believing in God to provide the additional finance.
 Regular support does come in from the E.A.T. takeaway sandwich store in the Bull Ring, which donates £150 worth of fresh sandwiches and snacks every day to Reachout, which goes a long way. Still, much more provision is needed if the homeless are to be adequately provided for, as Paul added: “The situation on the streets is getting worse, with the economic crisis and with established centres for the homeless losing their funding. Groups like ours desperately need volunteers, clothing and toiletries for our clients.
“We also need people to pray for us because meeting physical needs is one thing but we believe without addressing the spiritual ones, many will continue to end up and stay on the streets. There is a hardcore of people that do not want to be housed and will always be homeless. They can see that we are reaching out with the love of God in a way that is practical to them.”
to watch an interview with Paul and Jackie Atkin
Further enquiries:
For more information about Reachout Network Ministries or Church Alive, telephone 07870 835 056, email Paul or visit
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