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All Are Welcome at the Table of God

A photo by Jürgen Treiber_Fotor.com

Here is a reflection by Jyoti, who volunteers at the JRS Day Centre since 2 years

The vision of the JRS Day Centre for me comes from the Bible: the table of God where all are welcome, regardless of caste or creed. This is the place where all are given their place, their respect. This is the atmosphere we have here and this is the welcoming attitude we have for our guests.

I like of course talking to each person! First of all opening the door… Open the door, give a smile and a welcoming gesture. It is for me an openness to receive each one, the receptiveness, and then you see the smile on the other’s side. One of them who came recently was a new one, it was her first time. The day she came she was really down, the second time she came here her face was so peaceful and calm. I asked her and she said it was because I met the cheerful people, the good people here.

That is the difference we make. Those who come with their burdens, feelings of what is happening to them… so even one smile makes a big difference. What I see differently, what I have learnt myself as a volunteer, well as you can see, a smile is my main motto here! Sincerely, despite all the difficulties, if they can smile, what if I can not give a smile. I see that from the other side, so it brings such a difference.

Then, I was on the desk for the travel money. Money is a big thing in their life, they don’t have money, and although we are giving little, it is very supportive to them as other organisations do not give it, they have no access to money. So JRS is doing a very purposeful work which can help them to go to the place they want, the necessary solicitor or reporting at the Home Office. And all the various activities of course, they are ways of freeing them from the tension. Like the massage, the touch makes the person feel healed and loved, all the activities for our guests are very down to earth, and so very helpful for them.

For me dignity is one JRS value that is important to me. People come to the UK looking for dignity a good life, but they end up with nobody respecting them. But this is one of the place that we have that good practice or a very good deep model of dignity. Overall I feel this is a place of hospitality where one feels at home and each volunteer and staff member are so open to cater to our guests in a way they feel welcomed. And of course our compassion to them in their suffering. We give that to each person, respecting them as they are as a person, regarding their person as the image of God.


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CSAN Lent Campaign: Changes Lives

CSAN, or Caritas Social Action Network, in which we are taking part, has launched the Lent Campaign: Changes Lives! Here are some of our JRS volunteers voices on how JRS helps change lives of those marginalised ...


By encouraging refugee women to manage their stress and to focus on their health and wellbeing; by praying together






 By enabling people to develop their own voice

By providing companionship and emotional support

Through sharing, listening and praying with and for people who have been detained, in a non-judgemental way

By teaching us how we can help make a difference

By treating people with dignity; encouraging people to participate; and by giving people a voice


Accompaniment; journeying with; listening; building relationships; learning mutually

By finding creative opportunities for our refugee friends to have peace, dignity and to have some fun
By respecting each person as they are, without any discrimination!

Thank you, all! If you are interested, here is the link to CSAN.

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Me and JRS

Photo by Nathan - from Flickr.com


Pauline, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, told us about her experience with JRS-UK. She has been in the UK for 6 years and coming to JRS for 3 years. She attends our Day Centre regularly on a Thursday and is a member of our Women’s Prayer Group which meets every week on a Tuesday.

Coming here for me, I have a nice story here. It has given me joy! If I did not come here, I would not feel good. I don’t know what it is about JRS, but I love it too much here!
Here, they help me, This one is my house, when I come here I am happy. I don’t have family here, so in this place, I have tea with my friends. They are helping me. I have my plate and my mug which Louise gave to me. So when I see them I see her!
This country gives me no work, no job, no chance to earn money. But if you have your appointments, you still need your Oyster card... Here they give you money for your tickets: to sign in (report) for the Home Office, for hospital appointments...
Every week I have appointments. I have been in the hospital three times. Jonathan from JRS came to visit me. He was so kind.
I was going to college, but I was sick, so now I can’t go. Maybe next year I will start again to study English, I would like to improve my English.
These challenges... they go on for a long time, many years. This country, many people are coming here, with then lots of problems: no places to sleep, staying only with friends... This place, JRS, helps all people.
Every Tuesday, I come here with the women to pray. The massage with Magda is helping me too. I love it, I feel good!
What is next for me? I don’t know, I am very sad in this country, it is too hard. One day when I have my papers, I will go to work. I will go to college and get training. I would like to do care work, to care for others. I am a very caring person.
When I pray, I pray for God to help this charity, to go a long way, it helps everybody who is coming here.
I like to say God bless these people, I thank God very much for these people.

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