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Moseley Chimes
September 2008
In the last edition of Moseley Chimes I gave details of one of the local charities both St Mary’s and St Anne’s support. Anawim is particularly close to my heart as it the chosen recipient of the remaining funds of the Wellclose Trust of whom I am a trustee. Wellclose celebrated 50 years helping vulnerable women at a service of Thanksgiving held at St Anne’s in April but has now decided to pass on their resources, prayers and support to Anawim.
In the final newsletter that I have received from Wellclose two of the other trustees describe their visit to a house in Handsworth that is being used by Ananwin as a base for outreach work to women working locally in the sex industry, mainly on the streets.
The final paragraph reads, “In just three hours we saw first hand how the house and staff offer the women a safe, homely environment into which they can retreat and have respite from the pressures of their life on the streets. This is an essential first step for any women wanting to turn their life around. All of the women would like the house open all day every day but that would require a constant provision of a minimum of 3 experienced workers and volunteers to cover the inevitable crisis. The women are volatile and explosive; situations can develop quickly when rivalries and jealousies flare up. We can only recognise and admire the work which goes on, but it did occur to us that lay people like ourselves could offer practical support by challenging our friends and congregations to donate toiletries and basic household goods to store at the house. This needs to be done consistently in small amounts over the years (storage space is limited and the need, sadly ongoing). Perhaps a project for someone somewhere? The dearth of good lodgings is a much more difficult problem to address.”
I wonder whether the Benefice would like to take up the above challenge and whether a box could be provided at the back of both churches for people to donate items and someone willing to take it quarterly to Anawim? Please see me with any further comments of suggestions.