A Time of Challenge and Hopeful Renewal

This past year has brought significant challenges for The Besom in Esher, but it has also brought a growing sense of hope, renewal and a shared commitment to rebuild with faith and purpose.

We’ve encountered some difficult moments this year: the loss of our van, illness affecting valued volunteers and trustees, and the passing of much-loved team members. These events made it clear that we needed to step back, take stock, and make space for rest, reflection and healing. While this season has been tough, it has also given us the time to pray, regroup and recommit to the values that guide us.

Reflecting and Reconnecting with Mission

In the midst of these challenges, we turned to God for wisdom, comfort and guidance. Through the stories of Jehoshaphat and Elijah, we are reminded that God meets His people even in crisis, and that prayer and worship often come before strategy.

Our mission continues to be enabling Christians from any church to give generously by connecting them with people in our community who are facing hardship. We help direct time, money, skills and possessions to where they make a real difference, offering practical support such as furniture, essential household items, DIY and gardening projects, hampers, all rooted in prayer and trust in God’s provision.

We have seen God at work in powerful ways over the last twelve years. There have been countless answered prayers and many lives lifted through the generous giving of local Christians. Through giving with the Besom, people have encountered God, deepened in faith and grown in community.

As we now have a physical base for the first time, in Hersham, we are expectant of what God has planned.

An Invitation to Write the Next Chapter

As we look forward to rebuilding and revitalising the Besom in Esher, we are recruiting new trustees and people to join a core team implementing new ways to run our Besom. These roles are vital for guiding and sustaining our work, whether through administration, logistics, communication, safeguarding, pastoral care or practical support.

If you have a heart for serving, no prior Besom experience is necessary, only a willingness to take part with prayerfulness and love. Whether you can give a few hours a month or more regularly, there is a place for you and every contribution helps.

A Hopeful Commitment

In this moment of seeking God, we want to be transparent that if we are not able to fill a minimum number of these core roles by March, we will not be able to continue running the charity. This is not a message of fear but a call to faithful prayer and renewed commitment. We believe and trust that God can open the right doors, stir hearts, exploring new possibilities now God has provided us with a home in the centre of the Borough.

Remembering those we have lost

Keith was an amazing part of The Besom in Esher from our formation. He was always an encouragement and a prayer warrior.

Gareth was instrumental in our van logistics for 10 years. As part of the core team he organised the weekly van runs, coordinating the many moving parts with great skill and much good humour.

Thanking Those Who Have Served

We also express sincere gratitude to those who have stepped down from roles this year from both the Core Team and Trustees. Their generosity of time, prayer, and faithful service was a huge blessing to The Besom ministry.

Come and find out more and see our new premises

INFORMATION SESSIONS:
Saturday 7th February | 10:00 to 11:00am
Thursday 12th February | 7.30 to 8.30pm

Besom Chapel, Hersham Cemetery

Both sessions will cover the same ground, please come to whichever suits you best. If you’re able to let us know you’re coming, it will help us with planning, but you’re also very welcome to come along without booking.

If, as you read this page, you found yourself wondering what might come next for Besom in Esher, or how you might be involved, whether practically, prayerfully, or simply by understanding more, we’d love to invite you to come and hear more in person.

We’re hosting two informal information sessions where we’ll:

  • share the vision and heart for Besom in Esher

  • explore the different ways people might engage with the next season

These sessions are open to anyone who is curious or interested. There’s no pressure, no expectation, and no assumption that coming means committing to anything, just an opportunity to listen, ask questions, and be part of the conversation.

Contact us by emailing us or call us on 07780 918129.