News from the Marylebone Project
Caprice visits Marylebone
American supermodel Caprice Bourret brought Thanksgiving to the Marylebone Project on Wednesday (23 Nov 11) by hosting a celebratory meal for homeless women.Teaming up with students from the American InterContinental University they provided a traditional feast for the needy at the Marylebone Project.
She donned a cowboy hat to carve an enormous turkey and help hand out the meals in a dining hall decorated with Stars and Stripes flags and giant pumpkins.
Bourret says, "I'm really glad to come down again this year to the Marylebone Project and help with AIU London's event. It makes the women so happy and is always such a great day out for them. It's the only time I'll be celebrating Thanksgiving this year and I've been really looking forward to it."
Tea Party Celebration
On Thursday 6th July supporters, clients, residents and staff joined together for a tea party. The occasion was to celebrate the successes of the Marylebone Project, to highlight the many achievements made by our residents and clients, and to thank supporters and staff for their valued contributions to our work.
The venue was the beautifully sunny courtyard at Bradbury House, Cosway Street, which had been transformed into a scene from the 1930's. Around 80 guests enjoyed a traditionally English afternoon tea complete with fine china and tableware, which was generously loaned from our wonderful neighbours at the LAndmark Hotel.
Residents volunteers and staff prepared and served a splendid array of sandwiches and cakes, which were accompanied by gallons of tea!
Our newly formed 'Marylebone Singers' - a group of women comprised of clients and residents - sang with heart and confidence, their voices filling the courtyard and adding greatly to the party atmosphere.
Speeches were made by Marylebone Project Director Neil Biles, newly appointed General Manager Bill Gallagher, and Church Army Board Member Des Scott. Neil spoke to the women and reminded them that they were all "Very Special People" he also reaffirmed the shared values of the Marylebone Project, that being; Spirituality, Hospitality,
Empowerment and Resettlement.
A number of presentations were made to clients, residents, staff and volunteers in recognition o
f their special achievements and in thanks for service. The event was a huge success and many of the women spoke afterwards about how they had enjoyed this year's celebration. This being our second annual celebration event - last year we held a Caribbean themed party - we are already making plans for next year's, which will be held on 5th July 2012!
Very special thanks goes to all those that helped with making the event such a success including; Maria Hagi-Pavli, Angela Owen, Kirsten Hanke, the staff of the Marylebone Project, the Landmark Hotel and the ladies of St. Paul's, who provided baked goods. We also wish to thank all those supporters that attended.
A final thank you must go to the clients and residents at the Marylebone Project, for giving us so many reasons to celebrate.
1-3-9 Time Letter 1 July 2011
What is 1-3-9 Time?
Are you puzzled by the name of the weekly sessions held in the Chapel at Bradbury House every Monday? We hope so because we want people to ask questions, such as "What IS this about?"
"Is it held at an address beginning with 1-3-9?" "Does 1-3-9 refer to the duration of the sessions? Could they last for 1 hour and 39 minutes or 139 minutes "Do the sessions start at 1:39pm?"
No doubt you are already aware that 1-3-9 refers to the Psalm of that number in the Book of Psalms. We were in total agreement from the beginning of our discussions about the essence of these sessions; EVERYONE associated with the Marylebone Project, staff, visitors, residents, prayer supporters, all who contribute gifts of time and money, all who participate are known personally to their Creator. EACH PERSON IS VALUED, ACCEPTED AND LOVED UNCONDITIONALLY, WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN AND WHATEVER THEY MIGHT HAVE COME TO BELIEVE OTHER THAN THIS.
Psalm139 conveys of the God who created every person who has ever lived, is now living or who is yet to be born and it is our aim to proclaim God's utter inclusivity.
How is it going?
We KNOW that people have stopped to read the posters because firstly several people have attended the sessions and secondly because one person has penned a supportive invitation on the poster on the Chapel door, purported to be the words of Jesus himself, inviting people to talk to him and promising that he will listen. The writer of the words has certainly captivated the spirit of the invitation, which is encouraging.
Further observations
Some impressively bold and articulate women have attended the sessions.
Faith seems to be an important element in people's lives.
Discussions between attendees of different faiths have been courteous and respectful yet non-compromising.
As people talk they can 'hear' themselves and possibly see what they might do to change their situations, if deemed necessary.
We hope that resident's will become increasingly aware of each other's strengths.
Future Activities
Our main goal is to keep people aware of this facility and we plan to do this in several ways:
Communication During the August break posters will still be displayed but with superimposed notices telling of the recommencement at the beginning of September.
Incarnation We hope to start the first session in the Autumn with refreshments in reception areas at which we will hand out fresh invitations to individuals.
Participation It may be possible for gifted people to create collages, banners or some such works of art connected with Psalm 139. These could be displayed in the chapel.
We would be truly grateful for any prayer support, and if you should have any questions or want to know more then please contact Mark.
Holy Week 2011
The project celebrated Holy week with a series of events there were three reflections, on Judas Iscariot, Peter led by the Revd Michael Redmond Curate of St Paul's Church, www.stpaulschurchcentre.org.uk and Mary Magdalene.
On Maundy Thursday there was a service in the day centre arranged and led by Marie Syverstad, Szabina Sztojka and Captain Mark Dadds. The service consisted of a drama:
"The heart":
You give your heart to earthly things but they can't mend a broken heart. Jesus can. And in the end the earthly goods doesn't really matter.
Time for God volunteers Mai Lionett Nielson and Marie Syverstad perform "the heart"
"The Easter house" - a group piece
The Easter house was built by cllents to symbolize a fresh start which Easter brings.
The House the Day Centre Built
"Eucharist with the washing of feet"
Revd Graham Buckle St Pauls Church led a Eucharist service of which included Graham washing the feet of clients and staff who wished to have it done. This was a very moving experience as the majority of women there came forward to receive.
Washing the Feet
Captain Mark Dadds and a volunteer Sue have started at the project a new initiative called 139 Time on Monday afternoons. This is to be a space to listen to ourselves, to listen to each other and to listen to God and respond in prayer and to encourage. The title is taken from Psalm 139 which is to be the underlying theme of the sessions.
1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Psalm 139
Tackling homelessness creatively
25 Feb 2011
Vulnerable women at Church Army's Marylebone Project have marked Homelessness and Poverty Action Week by taking part in a Creative Prayer event.
The week offered residents and day centre clients the opportunity to participate in creative prayer sessions which involved arts and crafts and had a different theme each day.
The Marylebone Project works with vulnerable women in London and is one of the largest hostels of its type in the UK. The event was organised by Evangelist Mark Dadds and Church Army's Xplore gap year student Felicity Pennington.
The first session of the week was a celebration of Taize´ worship with singing, prayer and reflection on the theme "longing in us". Worship was led by Time For God volunteer Miriam Block.
The subsequent sessions saw the women enjoy a time of quiet reflection by candlelight in the Bradbury Chapel, take part in a sketch exploring the idea that people are equal in the eyes of God, and create a timeline collage about the different "seasons" of life.
These sessions sparked much discussion among the women; particularly about homeless women, how they count in society and the importance of women in the life of Jesus.
During the week, Lynda, one of the day centre users, reflected that: "Jesus loves all his children. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight. Jesus died for all his children of this world."
Another day centre user and ex-resident, Yvonne, said: "There comes a time in one's life where you come to a bridge that you cannot cross. I feel that we are living in a battlefield, but the only place that I can be free and be myself is at the Marylebone Project."
Give thanks for all that was learnt and shared!
Time to give and take at Marylebone
25 September 2009
Church Army's Marylebone Project for homeless women launched its latest initiative this week - a Time Bank.
At a small ceremony in Elgood House, a symbolic ribbon was cut by a representative from the (anonymous) foundation which has funded the development of this ingenious idea. The Marylebone Project Time Bank has now joined the ever expanding ranks of Timebanking UK - the national umbrella charity for supporting time banks, whose slogan is "Time to give and take".
So what is a Time Bank? In short, it enables people to generate 'credit' for whatever skills they possess; credit which can then be used to 'buy' skills from another member of the Time Bank. For example, if Katherine walks Emily's dog for an hour then she has generated one credit. She can spend that credit by getting Jack to wash her car. Katherine has given time to Emily and can now take it from Jack. 
The various services offered by Time Banks are limited only by the skills of their members, and include: gardening; cooking; organising social events; dance classes; reading lessons; painting; massage and translation. For the women of the Marylebone Project, the Time Bank will give them a means of sharing skills they already possess with one another, for everyone's mutual benefit.
The first dozen residents of the Marylebone Project (London's largest hostel for homeless women) signed up to their Time Bank at the official launch. One of the residents Poly, was delighted to win the competition to design Marylebone Time Bank's new logo, winning herself a laptop in the process!
It is envisaged that the Time Bank will engage increasingly with the wider Marylebone community including the local church, St Paul's, with whom Church Army has a strong link. If this succeeds in expanding the membership then it is possible that future residents of the Project may be able to start small businesses, via the Time Bank.
To see more about the work of Church Army go to the official website.
Mariola helps the homeless get fighting fit
Hostel gym instructor lived on streets
A HOMELESS woman has become a successf
ul fitness instructor after the Marylebone Project she lived in built its own gym.
Mariola Garcia-Fraile, 32, was desperate and destitute when she arrived at the hostel in September 2007. Initially living in a squat in Hackney, she had battled to avoid descending into drug and alcohol abuse.
After being evicted from the squat, Mariola spent time sleeping rough, but it was an abusive partner that finally made her try to break the cycle she was in and seek help.
"My partner was abusing me, he was violent," she said. "I got fed up and decided to try and shout for help - that's when I tried to get out of this mess and do something with my life."
Her cry for help was answered by the Marylebone Project, and she began to rebuild her life as a resident there. She played a major part in setting up the gym, becoming its first qualified instructor.
And Mariola thinks organisations like the Marylebone Project are vital to give homeless women the extra support that they need.
"Women are more vulnerable," she said. "It's harder because we don't have so much help in life.
"This world is for men, it's true, but now we are getting more rights and more involvement in society on all levels.
"Thanks to the project, I got enough confidence to go out and say, 'now it's me and the world'. All this time my confidence just grew and grew, I wasn't intimidated at all, what I did here helped me so much."
Mariola now lives with her three-month-old baby in north-east London and returns to the gym to provide instruction and support to hostel residents.
Hostel manager Angie Coleman said: "The aim is to get other people trained and then for them to come back and use their skills to provide sessions for the other residents. Hopefully that will encourage other people to become instructors or even just to use the gym and promote their own health.
"We're also in desperate need of qualified REPS [Register of Exercise Professionals] instructors to volunteer here and help get the ball rolling."
Angie said the gym was conceived as a plan to offer residents more opportunities and to get them out of their rooms during the day.
She added: "We were trying to look at ways of carving out training and employment opportunities for the women. We wanted a real emphasis on health, but every aspect of it, not just working out. It's also about emotional health and relieving stress."
