Lighthouse Homes Offering Stability, Dignity, Friendship and Purpose

Lighthouse Homes

Offering Stability, Dignity, Friendship and Purpose

By Revd. Alistair Sharp, CEO of Lighthouse Homes

Founded by Rotherham Churches Together in 2005 as a simple night shelter in Rotherham town centre, Lighthouse Homes is today a faith-based Supported Housing Charity which provides a total of 116 beds, 365 days a year in four residential projects in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

We now provide safe places to live which also offer support with the complexities of having been homeless. These homes create a stable place to rebuild a life from, for as long as it takes.

Our 40 staff and Trustees are predominantly, but not exclusively Christian, and have come from many different walks of life and from a wide variety of Christian denominations. Approximately one third of our staff have come from a story of recovery from addiction and homelessness, to stability and gainful employment.

Our three sites for men are at Westgate Rotherham, (formerly the White Swan Pub), and on Main St, Shirebrook (formerly Midland Hotel), and also at Chapel St, Brimington Chesterfield (formerly Brockhill Court Assisted living complex). Our site for Women is in Wath-upon-Dearne (at a former residential activities centre)

Lighthouse Homes works closely with local authorities to provide high-quality support for both men and women with low or medium complexity of needs. We specialize in supporting those on a journey of recovery from a history of addictions. We are willing to take both professional and self-referrals, and also referrals from charity and faith organizations. We have rigorous assessments for every resident to identify suitability.

All of our homes are drug and alcohol free, and we closely monitor and enforce this 'dry' policy. We are faith based, with a clear and public Christian ethos, but involvement in any faith-based activity is entirely optional and without any pressure or requirement. Our projects have weekly Christian services and daily devotions and a number of our residents choose to be part of these activities. There is no requirement or expectation of attendance at faith events held on our sites, but we do encourage a culture where residents feel free to talk about what they do and don't believe. Christ is at the heart of all we do.

We encourage all our residents to take part in at least 10 hours community/voluntary work each week and we are supported in our work by various partners who offer courses and activities, sports and social events, both in-house and within our communities. We have good links with local church and community organisations, with many opportunities to get involved. We engage with several course and programmes of self-development, including the 12 steps programmes in the communities we serve.

Lighthouse Homes accepts self-referrals and professional referrals. We engage in a careful process of assessment on both sides prior to admission, either by phone or face to face. We do not accommodate those with a history of, or current charges relating to sexual offending or arson with intent to endanger life. For a small number of residents, we will consider long term residence, as a place of safety and protection.

Lighthouse Homes is a wonderful church of 40 staff and 116 residents and it's a privilege to lead it as Lighthouse Homes makes a difference.

You can hear more about Lighthouse Homes in our district podcast – Faith, Hope and The Journey, visit www.sheffieldmethodist.org/podcast

Case study

Here is the story of one of our Managers and a former resident of Lighthouse Homes:

I had a lot going for me in my younger years, especially regarding sports. I was a very confident secure young lad. Back at home things were far from perfect, my mother and father had a broken marriage and my father was absent most of the time leaving my mother to try bring my brother and me up on her own whilst going through her own struggles.

From the moment of entering Lighthouse I have been shown nothing but care and love and have been constantly blown away by the success and privilege of watching lives be completely transformed. Instilling Christ into everything they do this community represents a true reflection of the care, love and support that people so desperately need. From the activities, to the church to just sitting around the table having dinner together like a real family, Lighthouse is nothing but a blessing.

Now a Manager and a very valued member of the team, he has a great repour with the other residents as there's a mutual respect as he understands their situations. We had faith in him and he has thrived on it.

You can find out more about Lighthouse Homes by visiting www.lighthousehomes.co.uk