Besom

The Besom in Portsmouth

The Besom in Portsmouth began in 2002, and mainly serves the churches within Portsmouth and Southsea, although we do have wider links within the Diocese of Portsmouth and the Portsmouth area.

Portsmouth is a waterfront city with a population of 197,000 residing within 15.5 square miles. This makes it the most densely populated area in the UK outside of inner London. Within the city is a huge diversity of living conditions including areas of affluence but also poverty. Situations of isolation, ill health, homelessness and domestic violence are common. In addition Portsmouth is home to a large number of ethnic groups.

Since 2002, The Besom in Portsmouth has built up good links with several agencies working with the poor and vulnerable in the city, eg health visiting teams, social workers, homeless and refugee organizations. We have enabled individuals or groups from a number of churches to give in a variety of ways, and in so doing to make bridges across to all sorts of different communities in Portsmouth. This has been often been challenging, but also rewarding and fun. We have a small warehouse and a van which have enabled us to make about 70 deliveries in both 2007 and 2008. In 2008 St Jude’s Southsea had a Besom Sunday where the whole congregation were able to give their time in various ways, including 7 painting projects.

How you can be involved

Giving things
· Furniture, household items, electrical items, clothes, children’s and baby clothes, equipment and toys. Everything should be new or nearly new, in good condition.

Giving time as an individual

· Collections and deliveries on our Besom van

· Sorting, washing, mending and ironing clothes

· Sorting toys and household items

· Praying

Giving time as a group

· Decorating, DIY, cleaning or gardening

Giving money

· You can specify how you would like your money to be used, eg carpets, curtain tracks, painting equipment, administritive running costs, van deliveries etc. Cheques should be made out to The Besom in Portsmouth. Gift Aid forms are available.

We’d love to hear from you. Please call the The Besom in Portsmouth on 07879 617155 or email us at besomportsmouth@talk21.com

“I cannot say strongly enough how the donations of furniture, clothes and time have a positive impact on our families and how grateful we are that we can come to you when we are looking for items to enhance a struggling family’s day to day existence.”

HomeStart, Case Worker

“Giving through the Besom put us in touch with families who we would ordinarily never meet. It was humbling to see how grateful they were when we spent some time decorating, or delivered some item they needed. The Besom has helped us to put our faith into practice in a uniquely practical way.”

Time Giver, The Besom in Portsmouth

Ways to give

Annual Conference