On Homelessness Sunday (October 8th) the Ministry Area of South Cardiff will adopt a Homelessness Charter.
Some years ago, before the Ministry Area of South Cardiff existed, St Mary’s Church adopted a Homelessness Charter. Its purpose was to set out our commitment and response to those who are homeless in our city.
Now, as part of our life together across the communities of Butetown, Grangetown and Splott, we have reviewed and will adapt this charter for the whole of the Ministry Area.
The charter doesn’t claim to solve problems. It’s simply the beginning of a process which attempts to establish a culture in which we can work together.
Not only does the Homelessness Charter aim to offer a consistent and realistic response to all experiencing homelessness, it also commits us to working with others on issues of Housing Justice, and to respond effectively to some of the related issues.
We will regularly review the charter. So that we can do more and do better!
Homelessness Charter
We welcome people who are homeless and will treat you with dignity and respect.
We offer friendship and accept you as you are. We will talk with you and listen to you, and will try to understand your situation. You are welcome to join us for worship but all people regardless of religion, race, gender,
sexuality or disability are welcome here. (We may also host external organisations, so please ask about the accessibility of these).
We will guide you to services which can help you with your specific needs.
If necessary and appropriate, we will liaise with them for you. Our pastoral leaders and other individuals in our congregation commit to having an up to date knowledge of Homeless Services across our city and issues which may affect you so that you will receive a consistent, fair and honest response. However, we recognise there are limitations to the help we can give. Our community consists of all kinds of people, some of whom have their own vulnerabilities but we seek to equip our whole congregation so that they will be understanding and supportive.
We aim to offer a safe environment for all.
All staff, volunteers and members of our community of faith and all who visit and use our church premises (including those who are homeless) can expect to be treated with respect and to be safe from harm so that we can offer a welcoming and friendly environment, free from violence, aggression, bullying and fear. We will report aggression, violence, anti-social and criminal behaviour and damage to our property to the police. Drugs are not to be used or dealt on our
premises, neither is begging. We work to the Safeguarding Policy of the Church in Wales.
We will support you financially through donations to homeless charities and other projects in our city.
We are unable to give you money or pay for services directly. We value and will promote the work of those charities and organisations, and are committed to supporting them regularly and in appropriate ways.
We have a concern for your physical, spiritual and emotional needs.
Each church has different resources available to them in terms of being able to provide food. However, we recognise that some external projects which offer food also provide parallel services which can help you even further. We can guide you to these services and to the abundance of free food available across Cardiff but we will always attempt to help you at your point of need. We are unable to provide accommodation. On occasions when people are rough sleeping on our premises, we will assess the risk to both you and others, and explore with you the possibilities available by liaising with various services and authorities.
We will be actively involved in Housing Justice and issues which affect those who are homeless.
This also means being informed about the issues which lead to homelessness, and the experiences of those who are homeless.
Homelessness Sunday
Why not join us on Sunday 8th with celebrations across the Ministry Area?
St Paul’s Church, Grangetown at 8am and 1030am
St Dyfrig and St Samson’s Church, Grangetown at 9.15am
St Saviour’s Church, Splott at 9.30am
St Mary’s Church, Butetown at 11am
On Sunday 15th, our Guest Preacher at St Mary’s at 11am is John Stark, chaplain to the Salvation Army’s Ty Gobaith
This charter sets out how, as a whole church community, we will respond to, welcome, care for and support those who are homeless across the churches of South Cardiff Ministry Area, as well as how we will respond to the situation of homelessness and Housing Justice. Adopted on Homelessness Sunday, October 8, 2023. We will continue to review and adapt as appropriate.
South Cardiff Ministry Area 