When you’re faced with what seems like an insurmountable problem, what do you do? Walk away shaking your head because the challenge seems too great for you to tackle alone? Or grab hold of the nearest edge & give it a good pull…

The BOAZ Trust’s activities are currently focused on three areas:

Accommodation

:: Setting up houses for the destitute, adopted & supported by churches. Currently we accommodate 19 African men & women in 4 houses for the destitute, with plans to expand the BOAZhouse network. We also have a house for 5 refugees with leave to remain in the UK.

:: Setting up a network of BOAZhosts offering emergency accommodation.
We believe that it works best if groups like churches share the burden & responsibility of care.

Destitution Projects

:: Working with the British Red Cross to set up projects across the region. Currently there are 5 projects in operation (Old Trafford, Salford, Oldham, Bolton & East Manchester) providing food parcels & £3.50 cash each week to over 300 people. Volunteers are always needed to help out!

:: Encouraging churches & other faith groups to supply food & other necessities for the projects. This includes working with Festival Harvest to collect surplus food from Summer Festivals in the UK, & organising end of term food collections in Universities.

Awareness Raising & Campaigning

:: Developing a North West Christian Refugee Network as a regional expression of ECSR (Enabling Christians in Serving Refugees).

:: Arranging events & speaking engagements to inform, challenge & mobilise support. The BOAZ Roadshow, a 75 minute multi-media presentation on asylum, destitution & the work of the BOAZ Trust, can be brought to your church or organisation.

:: Encouraging individuals to befriend & support the destitute both practically & financially.

:: Working with organisations like Church Action on Poverty (CAP) to campaign for changes in asylum legislation. The current CAP Living Ghosts campaign highlights the plight of the destitute, as does the Still Human, Still Here campaign of the Refugee Council

>> Use the response form to let us know how you could get involved in a BOAZproject.