Lee Abbey London Community team let their light shine

This article was published in the September to December 2025 edition of Rapport magazine.

… if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness, …

Isaiah 58:10

In 2023 the management team and trustees at Lee Abbey London began to prayerfully and practically search for ways we could reach out in mission beyond our building.

Our motivation was based on two things:

• The realisation that although our ministry to  students is now flourishing, we are generally offering hospitality, care and discipleship to those who come from relatively wealthy backgrounds. This is in stark contrast to our founding ethos, which was to provide for impoverished international students coming here from Commonwealth countries.
• We found ourselves questioning how we meet the second half of our sixth statement in our Rule of Life, which states, ‘In response to Jesus Christ’s love, we seek to respect and serve all others, welcoming every guest and stranger, being a voice for the voiceless and working to alleviate poverty and injustice.’

When we discovered that the charity-worker visa’s terms prevented us from partnering our Community team with placements in other local mission or charity projects we were disheartened.

Yet it didn’t stay this way, as another way forward was found. Instead of offering more scholarships, James came up with the brilliant idea of freeing our student residents to partner with local mission and outreach projects. We began by offering a bursary (the equivalent to what would be earned if the participant worked a Saturday/part-time job).

Our chaplain, Sue, explored possibilities and established partnerships, predominantly in the Kensington diocese. Three churches were selected that could provide what was required and who also needed ‘workers’. We had other natural connections with these places that acted to strengthen the partnerships as they formed. Three Christian charities are also involved, again through the personal connection of various students and managers at Lee Abbey London.

Initially three of our Christian residents signed up to the scheme; this has now grown to five residents and we hope more will join in the academic year 2025–6.

We have a growing partnership with five churches and charity projects. We interview and train the participants, and assess the projects before matching them together, which saves time and expense for the local charities.

The project is a great blessing to others, to us and to those involved.

Here, four of the five residents currently participating in the scheme tell us about their project tasks and how it has impacted them and others:

The Olive Branch Programme

Having the opportunity to be God’s hands and feet, sharing his love and saving grace with the many individuals passing through The Olive Branch Programme, has been both rewarding and humbling.

The Olive Branch exists to support those in crisis, helping them take steps toward safe and stable housing, while providing encouragement and a sense of community at every stage. It is a collaborative effort between HT Hounslow, Hounslow Evangelical Church and St John’s
Mar Thoma Church. Together, we offer a welcoming space where people can find food, showers, clothing, and practical assistance through partnerships with local charities and agencies. In spring 2025, 5News reported that the Olive Branch was the only night shelter in operation between Hounslow Central and Heathrow Airport.

My main responsibility was to supply clothing to those in need. However, my involvement went beyond just distributing items; I also took part in worship and praise, sharing moments of inspiration and encouragement. Sometimes I had the privilege of sitting down to eat with individuals, getting to know them on a deeper level and listening to their stories. Through these interactions, I sought to remind them that no matter what their circumstances, God is present, faithful and trustworthy.

This experience has been a profound reminder of the power of compassion and faith in action. Seeing the resilience of those we serve and witnessing even small moments of hope has strengthened my faith. The Olive Branch is more than a programme; it is a place where people are seen, valued and uplifted, and I am grateful to have played a part in that mission.

Raedonna Wilkinson

Sharing lifeskills through drama

So far, I have found the Lighthouse Project interesting and a great opportunity for personal growth. I have managed to meet a lot of great people and had the opportunity to work in the environment of a church. I was able to see how the projects run and how people live out the teachings of Christ. On top of that we get to share lunch with a big international community that is usually made up not only of those from Holy Trinity Hounslow Church, but also from neighbouring churches.

As it happens, I can also practise the things I currently study, as I learn acting at university. I look more in-depth at things I study, then share them in acting/improvising workshops aimed at children and adults from all walks of life; the goal is to help them come out of their shells, interact with others and gain valuable life skills that they can then apply in their own lives.

I am so glad that I have had these opportunities and I’m looking forward to working with more exceptional people!

Simona

Webber Street Day Centre for The London City Mission

Volunteering at Webber Street alongside the homeless in addition to my studies is something I am very grateful for. Each day we offer showers, clothing, Bible teaching, referrals, friendship and food. We humans will never have what it takes to rectify broken lives, but with God there is always enough; just recently I heard the story of a man who came to Christ after visiting Webber Street. Alongside practical tasks, such as serving food, providing clothes and signing people in, I talk with people, laugh with people and cry with people. I thank God for the guests, and I pray that he will use each seed we plant to create something beautiful.

Joy

Working with homeless women

St Dionis Church opens its doors to host homeless women in London in the cold British winter. Each week a team of volunteers cooks a beautiful meal and another team of volunteers serves the meal to guests. The work is run in partnership with the Glass Door Project, which is an essential service for the homeless in the UK. It is a pleasure to be part of a team of women who help make this service happen!

Through the Lighthouse Project, in partnership with St Barnabas Kensington, we have been able to start an Alpha course in the chapel at Lee Abbey London. It has been an amazing opportunity to reach out to some non-Christian students. Exciting conversations are happening through the Alpha course!

Grace Jefford