BOAZ TRUST

This year, Boaz Trust, one of the missions receiving regular support from St Mary’s, marks 15 years of working to end destitution amongst asylum seekers and refugees in Greater Manchester.  Their work is so crucial – in July, they housed 75 people, who would otherwise have been homeless, in shared houses or with hosts,  and they offer clients a wide range of holistic support to access services and life-affirming help at a very vulnerable time in their lives. 
 
Here, Kate reflects on the difference Boaz Trust made to her:
 
“Before I came to Boaz, I was staying with different people. I slept on sofas and it was very difficult. I did not have any GP, I did not know how to get into the system. I was so scared and didn’t know who to trust.
 
I felt so relieved when Boaz found a house for me. It was the beginning of me coming out of my shell; I could start to be me.  Boaz connected me to places where I can get help.  Now I feel connected to things that I used to be scared of; I can communicate with anyone.  Boaz sees my potential.  They see the good in me and encourage me and push me to achieve.  Now I feel free.

I want to go to college to study English and maths. I would like to be a nurse or go back into catering. I worked in catering back at home. I also need to know where my kids are; if they are alive or passed. I don’t know where they are at all."

Please join with Boaz in praying for:

• The trustees, who strategically oversee the charity.
• The charity’s financial situation, as they await decisions regarding funding.
• The many clients who suffer from poor health – physical, mental, or both. 
• Clients seeking to put in fresh asylum claims and facing the challenges of collecting fresh evidence.
• Clients whose situation Boaz can do no more to progress, and who have to leave Boaz accommodation with no positive move-on options. 

If you’d like to know more about Boaz’s valuable work, please visit their website: https://www.boaztrust.org.uk/
 
Claire Campbell Smith