Outreach

ASLAN - All Souls Local Action Network

Also see: ASLAN website (external link)

ASLAN was formed in 1988 by a group of young people from All Souls who wanted to share Christ's love with the large numbers of homeless people sleeping out in appalling conditions in the heart of our capital city. They did this with hot tea, food and clothing, a listening ear, and the message of hope in Jesus. We have always tried to offer help and respect (without pre-conditions) to those who are often deprived of both.

We now have volunteers from all over London, and we reach nearly two hundred homeless people every week. We operate a weekly tea run (4.30-8.30 am on Saturdays), weekly social evenings (5.30-10.00 pm on Saturdays), and staff the London City Mission at Waterloo every Saturday morning (8.30 am to 12.30 pm). Because there are four teams in each area of service, individual volunteers are only on duty once every four weeks. We also have a mentoring scheme, where teams of two meet up twice a month (7.00-9.00 pm on Mondays) with a growing number of individuals. Each “Visiting Team” is backed up by a Prayer Partner.

As more and more of London’s homeless have become hidden in hostels, squats, out-of-the way places, and the spare beds and floors of friends and relatives, so we find ourselves dealing increasingly with people who are not street homeless, but who are lonely, and troubled, and often bewildered. Working with other agencies, we have also helped a growing number of people off the streets and into accommodation.

Helping them to cope with the frustrations of bureaucracy and the crises of life all alone means that we need to recruit more daytime volunteers.  We have opened our first office and employed our first worker. This in turn will enable us to improve services and information for both our clients and our volunteers.

If you'd like to find out more about ASLAN, visit our website (external link).

How to get involved

Contact our Project Support Manager, Claudia or fill in our volunteering form.