Hope - Soup Kitchen

27/01/2026

Several bits of good news
Our volunteer who suffered news of a close family member’s su***de - is recovering well and joined us giving out lunches today…
The community police team changed but one of the new squad have been helping us with homelessness for more than a decade and remains in the town centre —- Yay what a blessing
Finally various admin bits we will give more news on soon - but including our Charity Status, Web site and more are back on track and will be completed soon
And I must say a huge thanks to all our supporters and volunteers helping us especially our treasurer.
Definitely the A team - don’t you just love it when a plan comes together—- lol

09/01/2026

I know lots of you knew Ray - time is wrong it’s 2:20 in East Chapel

03/01/2026

SWEP amber cold weather alert extended to 10 am 9th Jan 26.

31/12/2025

See SWEP styled advice coming out

Cold health alert updated for London

The amber cold health alert is in effect from 8PM on 31/12/2025 until 10AM on 06/01/2026 across London. The amber alert has a matrix score of 12. This means:

Forecast weather is likely to cause significant impacts across health and social care services, including:

a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. We may also see impacts on younger age groups
a likely increase in demand for health services
temperatures inside places like hospitals, care homes, and clinics dropping below the levels recommended for assessing health risks
challenges keeping indoor temperatures at the recommended 18°C leading to more risk to vulnerable people
staffing issues due to external factors (such as travel delays)
other sectors starting to observe impacts (such as transport and energy)

17/11/2025

Please note there is a Yellow Cold-Health Alert for London in effect between today 17th Nov 1200hrs and Saturday 22nd Nov 0800hrs. Forecast weather is likely to have significant impacts on health and social care services. View current Weather-Health Alerts on UKHSA Dashboard



I attached the Cold Health Planning Advice for your reference. Further guidance and action cards from UKHSA can be accessed in the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cold-weather-plan-action-cards-for-cold-weather-alert-service

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cold-weather-and-health-supporting-vulnerable-people

Information and guidance for range of professionals on how to protect population groups most at risk from the health impacts of cold weather.

10/07/2025

It’s been a good but busy & hot time.
We read through Psalm 5 last week and loved the last two verses - indeed we are truly constantly blessed thanks to generous people In Romford.

We have an opportunity for funding but need someone with a local co-op membership card - can you help?

One of our lovely long term sponsors is about to pay for the hosting of our new web site written by N - thank you.

There are soooo many homeless people CHAIN released their annual figures showing a 20% increase in London.
Across the areas I work we have had 4 new peeps in as many days all with complex needs. We just keep helping, supporting providing as much hospitality as we can and praying for the individuals.

In this hot weather we need summer clothing, sun tan cream and individual waters as we can get.

Our generous hosts Romford Baptist Church are helping even more.

We help not just homeless but those in crisis so just shout if we may be able to help you or someone you know.

And a big thanks to all our volunteers and supporters-our next milestone is a bring & share picnic in Langton gardens as a thank you.
More details will follow …

Blessings all Dave

17/06/2025

See you there...

10/06/2025

And so today we read Psalm 5 - paying particular attention to verses 11&12

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Then we prayed for our volunteers for R with a bad leg, for A bereaved, for P fighting to be well mentally and physically, for S with pressure of exams, for L for health especially eyes, for A fighting Anxiety & Depression for T fighting poor mental health, for C as she goes for the operation, for J and the diagnosis and worry, for D with great pain in knees, for M & M & L & P with great health issues some parting them from us … with others I and I and N and Z&R needing our prayers & D for the back issues NS fighting Diabetes.
We prayed for healing and comfort for blessings and joy in hearts … and that’s just a start to our weekly prayers.
If you would like prayers added to our weekly prayer time just write contact me and we will keep details anonymous but pray for you …
Be blessed and count them blessings as they happen.
Amen

21/05/2025

We met as a prayer group 9-10 @ RBC on Tuesday as usual to pray for Street Sleepers Support volunteers, trustees and clients— we opened by reading Psalm 3 and the associated story of Absolum self making king to be to replace King David who wrote his feelings of the situation in Psalm 3.
We thought of several going through suicidal ideation and other crisis and much more.
A good week well blessed with food to share and using most of it as new faces need help.
Yesterday was an odd day meeting lots of older faces - clients who have come out the other end now in stable happy lives - all appeared yesterday and shared their news from celebrating 10 years dry to married, housed and happy- encouraging that so many are moving on in their lives and glad we were part of that journey.
Thanks as ever for your kind donations - we are looking for cheese donations on a regular weekly basis, and we are looking for volunteers especially on Wednesdays if you can spare a couple of hours some weeks.
We also met J one of our lovely police who have been a wonderful part of our community contributing, helping and keeping everyone including our clients safe - thanks to too L & S amongst others…
So who are community stars in Romford town centre in your book…?
Blessings all
Dave

14/05/2025

14/05/2025

Yesterdays prayer meeting went well we looked at Psalm 2 - which in summary Psalm 2, a "royal psalm", addresses the defiance of nations and rulers against God and His anointed King. The psalm emphasizes God's sovereignty, declaring He will triumph over the rebellions of the earth. It urges kings and rulers to submit to God's Son and promises blessings to those who seek refuge in Him.

We also had a visitor asking for prayers - good to chat and welcome donation…

Loads of food this week but still searching for regular donations of cheese and individual bottled water.

We also need a Wednesday volunteer quite urgently from 11-1 every week to help distribute packed lunches walking round the town centre with team.

Thanks for all your support
Blessings all