Displaying items by tag: Bradford

St Stephen’s Church, Bradford, has found a creative and compassionate way to care for the homeless - by installing a lockable sleeping pod on its grounds. The initiative, in partnership with Shine and Hope Housing, offers more than shelter: it provides dignity, safety, and community. The pod includes a bed and toilet; guests also have access to showers and hot meals through the church. All guests are referred through trusted homeless organisations, and although designed for temporary stays, many have used the pod longer while awaiting permanent housing. Michelle, a mother recovering from years of addiction, credits the pod for helping her stay clean, describing it as a sanctuary where she feels safe and 'on God's ground'. Apart from shelter, the church offers lasting friendship and spiritual support. Some former guests have even become part of the church family. St Stephen’s demonstrates that true Christian compassion includes walking alongside the vulnerable, offering not just practical help, but long-term love, restoration, and hope in Christ.

A recent report revealed Bradford social workers turned a blind eye when a 15-year-old grooming victim took part in an Islamic marriage to one of her abusers. One of her social workers even attended the ‘wedding ceremony’. Despite the teenager not being a Muslim, professionals who were meant to protect her allowed the family of her 'husband' to foster her after she became pregnant. The council even paid them for fostering her. The terrified girl was trapped in 'domestic slavery', too scared to leave the controlling relationship, fearing she would be the victim of an honour killing. The report, which makes difficult and distressing reading, found that children suffered abuse no child should have to experience, and some youngsters in Bradford still remain unprotected. The report’s authors said, 'We believe that practice across all agencies is improving, but there is still much more to do.'