We collect food for the Reading Churches Drop in Centre (CIRDIC)

Based in Reading ​CIRDIC​ is recognised as a safe and welcoming drop in centre for homeless people who are disadvantaged and living in the local community.

It is a drop-in-centre, established in 1990 because a group of local Christians wanted to respond to the needs of the homeless and clearly disadvantaged people in Reading. Originally the aim was to provide a welcoming place in which to offer food and clothing. Now, in response to growing needs, the Centre offers a wide range of support services to our guests.

Hot nutritious meals
Clean clothing and toiletries
Bath and shower facilities
Provision of a safe postal address
Use of a telephone
Provision of confirmation of identity
Listening time
Regular access to and links with visiting services such as health care and housing
Moving-on projects designed to help our guests improve their lives and happiness

www.cirdic.org.uk

Our local partner is Christian Community Action (CCA) which is based in Reading and through shops recycling furniture, clothing and other households good, and advice centres, offers practical help to a wide range of people who are challenged by economic and other pressures. In addition CCA support those with social, mental health, addiction or other issues who are looking to get back into paid employment . St. Stephen’s host a collection point for items for the shops and have church members who volunteer for CCA.

www.ccam.org.uk

Our national partner is Yeldall Manor, where victims of drug or alcohol addiction can find a Christian approach to rehabilitation. It is based in Reading, but serves clients from all over the UK.

Yeldall Manor is a residential rehabilitation centre, set in 38 acres of Berkshire countryside near Reading. For over 40 years, they have been helping men to overcome serious drug or alcohol addictions and return to society to live new lives, drug, alcohol and crime free. Believing that recovery is possible and that recovery is not just abstinence. It involves learning to live comfortably as a sober, productive member of the community. It involves learning how to work, develop personal relationships, strengthen family ties, and enjoy positive leisure activities – all without the need for drugs or alcohol.

www.yeldall.org.uk

Our overseas partner is the Grace Christian School in Siyabuswa, South Africa. At St. Stephen’s, and we have contributed to various building projects over recent years.

The Grace Christian School serves around 600 children in the township of Siyabuswa, in the north-eastern part of South Africa. It was started in 2003 as a response to the HIV-AIDS crisis ravaging the country, leaving many orphans in its wake. It began with one class of young children and grew rapidly. Now children come from as far as 200km away to board there; others walk long distances to attend daily. It has won awards for the best exam results in the district, but it is also the Christian nature of the school, its committed staff and its good facilities which attract people.

Those facilities could never have been paid for by the fees, which (in a place of high unemployment) were set too low even to cover the salaries at a level matching those in state schools. Instead, local Christians devoted themselves to prayer, and the money came in from charitable sources, including from people here at St. Stephen's, some of whom have been out to visit. The church now supports the school with gifts each year from the mission part of its budget. Some members of the church also sponsor Grace children whose families, if they have them, cannot afford the fees. Orphans and vulnerable are still given free or heavily-subsidised places.

If you would like to consider sponsoring a child or doing something to raise further funds for the school, please speak to Richard Hudson. All money raised goes to the school's building fund, and even the pound goes a lot further in South Africa!