It was a cold, dark, and somewhat rain-sodden Winter evening in February when 24-year-old Christina Anatoh trudged up the pavement to Webber Street Day Centre. Just a few hours ago, she had left her home in Bad Liebenzell, a small village in the Nagold valley in the Northern Black Forest, Germany.
Now, she was in the heart of London – all in order to take part in the Big Winter Sleepout.
She was met by fellow participants who greeted her with smiles and hugs when they inevitably found out how far she had come for the event.
Christina knew of London City Mission and was interested in our work through the Webber Street Newsletter. She learned about the Big Winter Sleepout two years ago but sadly didn’t get to join us then.
“I kept up with the news at Webber Street and read that the Sleepout would happen again, so I decided to take part this time,” she says.
A heart for people on the margins
“I have a heart for people experiencing homelessness. Some might even say it's a calling of mine. Combining this with my love for meeting new people and my desire to witness LCM in action, I decided to visit London for a short period.”
In January last year, it was revealed that rough sleeping in London was at its highest level in ten years. 4,389 people were counted sleeping on London’s streets – the highest number since City Hall started recording figures in 2014.
London City Mission’s Webber Street Centre seeks to provide practical care and gospel hope to people experiencing homelessness in and around Waterloo and has been doing so since 1962. The staff and volunteers there welcome up to 80 guests daily who need food, shelter, a hot shower, friendship, and the opportunity to hear the gospel.
The Big Winter Sleepout is our annual event. People are invited to sleep rough for one night, raising funds for Webber Street and gaining a better understanding of the plight of those experiencing homelessness.
The Big Winter Sleepout
Christina describes the experience of the Big Winter Sleepout in two words: 1. Wet. 2. Cold.
“Anyone seeking comfort that night would have been disappointed – though some snores were heard!” Christina says.
“Despite the challenging conditions, it was a rewarding experience, the event serving as a powerful way to draw attention to a significant problem that more and more people need to face.”
For Christina, one of the highlights of the evening was joining other Christian brothers and sisters to sing praises to God.
The Big Winter Sleepout begins with sung worship at Webber Street Centre. We dedicate the night to the Lord and pray for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the trials that people living on the streets experience every day.
“Coming together as the body of Christ to worship the Lord was incredibly uplifting,” Christina recalls.
“Getting to know individuals with the same passion for serving the homeless was also truly enriching. It was inspiring to see these individuals stepping out of their comfort zones for a greater purpose.”
Insights gained
The experience of bedding down for the night in a park just outside Webber Street Centre helped Christina better understand the plight of many who sleep rough on London’s streets.
“I've learned that nights for homeless people are dangerous and challenging to survive,” she says.
“I've discovered how much one can learn through such experiences [like the Sleepout], especially when reflecting on them before and after the event.
“By understanding even a fraction of the challenges faced by homeless individuals in their daily lives, we can connect with them on a more empathetic level and potentially offer assistance in their journey towards freedom.”
Christina encourages us all to step out of our comfort zone and participate.
“Don't overthink it,” she says. “Just sign in and let God speak through the experience to you. Seek out your supporters early and enjoy the encounters you will have.”
It's not too late to join us!
Visit lcm.org.uk/sleepout to find out more and register your interest.
