A 'lighthouse' in Southampton

                                                                                                                                7 October 2009

The Weston housing estate in Southampton is made up of predominantly social housing, and the social problems there are many: family breakdown; mental illness; drug and alcohol addiction; abuse; anti-social behaviour and a high rate of teenage pregnancy.

Tim Hyde has moved his family into the Weston estate, Southampton, to establish the 'Weston Lighthouse Project' in partnership with Holy Trinity Church and the Diocese of Winchester.

Tim - a Church Army Evangelist - is passionate about being 'salt and light' to everyone marginalised by these conditions, and he spends much of his time engaging with residents individually, or through the local schools and community groups. A cell group has now been established, made up of women who have had hard lives. Tim talks with enthusiasm about how "proud" the women are to be praying and worshipping within each other's homes.

A group of volunteers now works alongside him on three projects - an allotment, a free furniture relocation service, and a team who improve the living conditions of some of the neediest residents. All this work is making inroads into the desperation felt by many of the people who live in the same area but share little in the way of community.

To see a short film of Tim in action go to Church Army online.

Please pray for Tim and everyone involved in bringing salt and light to the Weston estate.