"And they feed, for the love of Allah, the poor, the orphan, and the captive (Saying): "We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks" ". Surah Al-Insan, Verse 8-9.

"He is not a true believer who eats his fill while his neighbour lies hungry by his side". (Saying of the Prophet, upon whom be peace)

The above verse of the Qur'an and hadith teaches us to feed those less fortunate in our community, whether they be Muslim or not, seeking the pleasure of Allah (Exalted is He) alone. Inculcating an active sense of citizenship is an integral part of Islam. Since 2002, the City Circle has run a successful 'Helping London's Homeless' project and with your support we would like to continue to do so.

New Initiative For 2008 - Would you like to give something back and help the homeless? Then why not become a Trustee.

The City Circle is currently working with Homeless Link which is the national membership organisation for frontline homelessness agencies in England. Their aim is to act as a catalyst to help bring about an end to homelessness both locally and nationally.

Homeless Link is very keen to work with the City Circle and our large membership to identify professionals from key industries who would be interested in sitting on the boards as Trustees of numerous homeless charities as well as charities representing other good causes.

This worthwhile endeavour will provide charities with key skills to ensure that they function as effective social businesses and will also provide diversity within their memberships. The benefits to the individual include demonstrating useful experience of working in a position of responsibility, which is crucial for any CV. Hopefully it will also prove to be an extremely rewarding experience for the individual.

Trustee - Job Description

- Attend and contribute to an average of four Trustee meetings per year.
- Input into the charity's strategic planning.
- Guide the direction of the charity's work, occasional optional additional meetings, such as Planning Days, staff recruitment, and meetings with funders.

Trustee - Person Specification

Ideally new Trustees being sought are ones with skills and knowledge in at least one of the following areas:

- Business expertise gained in the private sector.
- Accountancy or financial experience to perform the role of Treasurer and to advise on budgets, accounts.
- HR experience and PR experience
- Legal experience
- Fundraising experience and contacts.
- Personal experience of the issues relevant to homeless people or the charities sector.
- Knowledge of service user involvement or participation with excluded people in areas other than homelessness.
- Experience of supporting successful social enterprises.

How to Apply

If you are interested in becoming such a Trustee (please note this is voluntary and unpaid) or if you would like some more information, please contact Tosifa at tosifa@thecitycircle.com

Background to Helping London's Homeless project

Around 20,000 people in London live in homeless accommodation, and this does not include people in bed and breakfasts and squats. About one in ten people sleeping rough are women, and that one in six are under 25 and one in 14 over 60. We have a responsibility to help them, irrespective of their faith

Homeless Project

On 22 August 2007, the City Circle donated five thousand pounds (5,000) to open a training flat for the homeless residents of Thames Reach homeless hostel in Vauxhall, London. The funds were raised at the City Circle Comedy Night Fundraiser in June and from previous collections. Thames Reach issued the following statement:

"After years of hoping and months of planning, Thames Reach are pleased to announce that a Training Flat specifically for the residents of Graham House is shortly to open.

"Opening of the flat would have been delayed were it not for the collaboration of City Circle, who have pledged to fund the necessary opening costs, estimated to be five thousand pounds, and which includes the costs of decorations, flooring and furnishing the flat.

"Graham House is a 69 bedded hostel for former street homeless men and women over the age of the 35. Based in Vauxhall, and replacing the former Bondway Shelter, Graham House is renown for it's innovative approach to working with people with multiple problems and ensuring every option is made available to them to help them move on to more appropriate accommodation. 'Opening the training flat' says Hostel Manager, Tony Waters 'enables us to give people who on the surface appear chaotic or incapable, the chance to live in a local one- bedroomed flat for one month to prove to themselves, that they have, or are capable of learning, the life-skills necessary for independent living'. Staff from the hostel, and also the organisation's Resettlement Team visit the flat on a regular basis to offer advice, support and encouragement."

For more information, please contact:
Tosifa Mustafa, City Circle, on tosifa@thecitycircle.com
Sarah Andrews, Thames Reach, on Sarah.Andrews@thamesreach.org.uk

Also visit Thames Reach

Volunteers Help

People living in hostels include young adults leaving care, ex-offenders, refugees, people with drug dependencies, behavioural problems and poor mental/physical health. Thames Reach recognise that these vulnerable residents need much more than a bed for the night. Staff need the assistance of volunteers to engage with disadvantaged and excluded people to provide them with a range of life skills, build self-confidence, re-engage with mainstream society and work towards leading a more settled life.

Thames Reach run a number of exciting projects needing help. Examples include:
-Volunteers to assist with activity projects such as IT training, life skills, farm and conservation projects, social businesses, as well as drama and arts skills designed to teach residents core and social skills
- volunteer befrienders to visit individual residents who experience isolation and/or low self-esteem and assist them in their recovery
-London Street Rescue volunteers who will work with experienced outreach workers to seek isolated and vulnerable rough sleepers to offer emergency assistance.

If you are interested in volunteering, there are numerous ways that your skills can be utilised and both projects have many hostels across London including in the City. Please see our contact details below.

Meals supplied to Homeless Hostels

From 2002 to 2006 we have supplied meals to the following hostels:

Look Ahead Hostel, Aldgate E1
Endel Street Hostel, Shaftsbury Avenue WC2
St Mungo's, Southampton Row Hostel, Holborn WC1
Thames Reach Bondway, Vauxhall
Dellow Center, Wentworth Street E1

These hostels were chosen due to their mix of people from various backgrounds, races and religions.

Previous years

Thanks to your generosity we managed to do the following during previous years:

2006 - Over 1,400 meals served to homeless hostel
2005 - Over 5,500 meals served to homeless hostels
2004 - Over 1,500 meals served to homeless hostels
Ramadan 2003 - Over 3,100 meals served to homeless hostels
Ramadan 2002 - Over 2,200 meals served to homeless hostels

The meals were thankfully received by all - Muslim and non-Muslim.

How to get involved or donate

If the above inspires you to help your neighbours in need, please get in touch with us below. You can also help financially by sending your donations made payable to 'City Circle (Homeless)' clearly detailing your full name, contact number and email on the back of the cheque and post to:

Helping London's Homeless
The City Circle
PO Box 29890
London SW19 8FX.

The City Circle is a registered charity (charity number: 1088931).

May Allah (Exalted is He) reward you and purify our intentions towards Him and towards each other. In a world of so much misunderstanding and conflict, may He make us facilitators of a little kindness to the poor and needy in our community, Ameen.

For further information, please contact Tosifa at tosifa@thecitycircle.com