|
to people with life-disrupting problems |
Partners
Introduction
We can only exercise this ministry by working in partnership with many other people and groups. The issue for us is always the same - not whether we like the group, it beliefs and policies, but whether they can help any of our customers in some real way.
Our links with each person and each group is unique, built up from the relationship we have formed - in some cases, over many years. But these different partnerships can be seen to fall into a few reasonably well defined groups
It is probably helpful to say something here about our policy on working with other groups.
Supporters
It is impossible to list all the people and groups that have supported us over the years. We apologise in advance to all those we have left out! But we cannot talk about supporters without mentioning the following (in alphabetic order, to avoid having to sort them by importance!):
Bristol Christian Fellowship - 'BCF' to its friends. They have supplied us with many people over the years, both staff and volunteers.
FareShare - They give us food and other supplies which enable us to feed many homeless and hungry people we would otherwise be unable to help.
St Mary Magdalene - For a comparatively small church in Stoke Bishop, they provide an astonishing level of suupport, both volunteers and finance.
Woodlands - They promote the work of the Crisis Centre and regularly encourage people to support us in prayer and other ways.
Co-workers
Some of our partners work alongside us to help the same people.
Bristol Methodist Centre - They also offer washing facilities.
One 25 - They work mainly with prostitutes.
Salvation Army Candle Community Centre - They provide a number of services to our customers.
Specialists
Some of our partners provide specialist services to our customers, which we can access or help our customers to access.
Betel - They are a Christian community based near Birmingham which provides a wonderful detox and rehab service.
Bristol Drugs Project - Otherwise known as 'BDP'. They offer training and help to people wanting to come off drugs.
Networks
We belong to a large number of networks, both Christian and secular. The complexity of the issues we face with our clients means we need to maintain contact with a great many specialist groups, and networking is an essential part of this contact. Our network commitments include the following groups.
- The Care Forum
- VOSCUR
- RSI Meaningful Occupation Group
- Evangelical Alliance
- Practitioners Forum
- BCAN
- BCAN Homeless Forum
Working With Others
One of the more difficult of the organisational issues facing Christian organisations working in social action projects is the question of how to relate to other groups, both Christian and not Christian. What follows is an attempt to describe how we operate. It is not a set of rules, but an expression of where we are.
Christian Groups
We are a Christian organisation, but in organisational terms, we relate to Christian groups in the same way that we relate to non Christian groups.
In forming partnerships, the key question is always: "What is in the best interests of our customers?" While we prefer to form partnerships with other Christian groups - there is the shared assumptions and culture already in place, which often makes the work easier - we look at each person as an individual and try to find solutions which will work for them.
Non Christian Groups
We are happy to work alongside non Christian groups in order to provide the best possible service for our customers. At times, this can grow into quite a strong partnership.
Our Own People
All the people who work for CCM are expected to be active Christians. This includes staff, volunteers and trustees.
Sometimes trusted customers in the Coffee Shop may be invited to help in some specific practical way, but this is not the same as recognising them as volunteers.