We believe people who have nothing should receive the very best that we can give, so that’s why we only accept items that are new or in very good condition. Just as a gift makes us feel special, we want to build up those who receive what is given via The Besom. So they feel blessed by the process, we only pass on the best to those who have little or no choice. This affords dignity and value to those who receive it, particularly when we can give them a choice for their home.
As an Individual…
There are many ways to give time as an individual and we try not to be prescriptive. Rather we help you prayerfully explore what it means to be called by God to get involved with serving the poor through the Besom.
Many skills and roles can be added to our team to help us flourish and be the best we can be. You are welcome to hang out with us for a while to get to know us and how we tick before committing to a particular thing!
Here are some ideas to get you started:-
– Go out on the van.
Van runs take place a couple of times a week, usually on a Thursday morning, but with the occasional runs at other times and days as needed. If you are over 25 you can drive the van, or just help with loading and unloading. Even if you can’t do heavy lifting you can use soft skills such as listening and being relatable on these visits. Van runs are a great way to make a difference in the lives of the recipients whom we meet and to encounter the complex realities of the struggle with financial hardship, isolation, vulnerability, mental health illness and relational breakdown.
– Undertake assessments.
Meet the recipient and their social worker at home to assess their needs and how we can help them. It’s about getting to know the recipient and their needs and explaining how Besom will pray for matching items. Training is provided for people wanting to give in this way.
– General help
Join in with the team’s weekly ‘office’ tasks or phone calls and coordination, help to create social media content, get involved with incidental shopping, or sorting, cleaning and preparing donations for delivery.
As a Group…
“We went as a group thinking we would give a day to paint someone’s home and hopefully help them… but we had no idea that we would come away having gained far more than we gave. Their walls were transformed and so were we.”
A Time Giver
Getting involved in a Besom project together with your family/friends or house group is a great way to make a difference in the lives of the recipients who have needs such as gardening, de-cluttering and cleaning or painting.
We can facilitate youth groups in appropriate activities too.
Typical projects include creating kitchen starter packs, Christmas Hampers, gardening or painting a room in someone’s home.
Where possible, we will visit your group to introduce Besom and its vision and mission, and learn about the type of project or people you would like to bless and pray with you. Once we have matched a suitable project in your area we can start the prep and planning and agree on a suitable date for you all.
After the project is completed we are happy to return to help you pray and reflect on your experiences together and what God has shown you about justice, poverty and compassion.
If you have a passion for Prayer…
Commit to pray for us using prayer resources, or join us at our weekly prayer meeting which is our ‘engine room’. (Currently hybrid: on Zoom or at Esher Green Baptist Church on Mondays – 10.00-10.45)