Norwich homeless drop in centre marks 25 years 

If anyone has slept rough in Norwich in the last 25 years it is very likely that they will have benefited from the Salvation Army run ‘Arc’, which is celebrating its anniversary this week.

Helen Baldry reports
 

The Arc is a drop-in service located on Pottergate in Norwich for people sleeping rough. Men and women over the age of 16 can get a hot meal, a cup of tea, have a shower, use the laundry facilities, and above all receive a warm, genuine and non-judgmental welcome.

The Arc – which stands for Advice and Refreshment Centre has remained true to its vision first conceived in 1999 when Salvation Army officer Barry Willson imagined a place where rough sleepers’ needs could be met not just in a basic way, but from a holistic point of view involving other agencies and referrals.

In the late 90s, an elderly church member called Edna used to serve sandwiches and tea from the Citadel to rough sleepers. It grew too big – a long line used to form all the way down St Giles for the soup and sandwiches from Edna. This problem, linked with Barry’s desire to do more for people, started off the Arc, which was established in the building on Pottergate, owned by the Quakers.
Funded by the Salvation Army centrally, the Arc maintains a strong link with the local Salvation Army on St Giles, where volunteers prepare homemade sandwiches a couple of times a week. Service manager Nikki Darkins works with a committed team, which includes Salvation Army Chaplain Debbie Pearson.

When a person comes to the Arc, they receive a genuine, warm welcome. There is never any judgment, simply the desire to help. Nikki said, “All they have to do is give us a nickname. They don’t have to give us any more information if they don’t want to. I think that’s another reason why they like it here because they don’t have to keep telling their story over and over again. A lot of the staff have been here a long time, so they know them anyway. We are that consistency for people, that familiar face. One of the nice things someone said was ‘I was told to come here because they never forget your name’.”

Nikki has worked at the Arc for ten years. In the last six years over 3,000 individuals have used the service. Nikki said, “We might see people once for five minutes, others have been coming for 25 years on and off.” While the warm welcome has never changed, Nikki has noticed the needs of the clients changing over time, often due to poor mental health. “Nothing compares to the numbers and needs we see now. People used to come in because they were hungry. People aren’t hungry in Norwich any more. Food isn’t an issue.  They need support. They need good friends and good people around them.”

Some of the challenges people face used to be addressed by social services, but this isn’t the case any longer as they don’t meet the threshold to receive care. The team are also seeing a huge increase in the number of refugees who arrive at the Arc. Nikki said, “One of the challenges is managing the expectations of everyone and allowing this to be a welcoming space for everybody. There are certainly challenges when there are language barriers, but it’s been lovely to see clients translating for each other.”

There’s no such thing as a typical day at the Arc, because anyone can buzz on the doorbell with a variety of needs, which means the space can become chaotic and unpredictable at times. Nikki says there is a rhythm to the day, with people sleeping rough coming in first at 8am so they get a quiet hour before others drop in from 9am. They might play pool, make phone calls and talk to the support workers. People of all faiths come to the Arc and Chaplain Debbie is available to pray with people if they wish. She said, “It’s more about being a positive presence and being positive to people, smiling at them, asking how they and offering hope. It’s what Jesus would do.”

The team can see anything from 40 people a day to 120 a day.

The Arc has stayed true to the original vision. Over the years, it has become a base for several services, some of which have since developed and moved offsite, such as NHS services. Currently professionals from Pathways, Employment Plus, the Big Issue, Nourish, Shelter, CGL, Mental Health Team and Social Services use the Arc to support clients and offer advice.
The Arc has formed a good relationship with the Salvation Army charity shop on Lower Goat Lane, just a stone’s throw away. They give out clothing vouchers and help people to choose the items they are in need of. 

Nikki would like to extend her thanks to all the local churches who support the Arc, by providing financial donations, Harvest donations and food. All are welcome to celebrate the anniversary of a service that offers consistent kindness, endless chances and genuine friendship.

Event details

A special service marking 25 years of the Arc will be held on Sunday 15th September at 10.30 at the Citadel on St Giles Street, NR2 1LL
The service will include music, client stories, staff interviews, prayers of thanks and cake
Donate to the work of the Arc online here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/PottergateARC

Pictured: Debbie and Nikki at the Arc