THE SOURCE
The Source is a Day Care Centre which works across the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham to support local people out of hopelessness, homelessness, disadvantage and isolation.
The Source is based at the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre and our new second site at the Barking Learning Centre. Both sites are located in the centre of the town. Vicarage Field Shopping Centre is a retail and business centre and the Barking Learning Centre is a Council building that hosts Council services and the local library.
The Source is open weekdays only. All services and food provided by The Source is free. There is no charge to any guest visiting The Source. We are registered with the local food safety agency and have achieved a 5-star hygiene rating for the past 2 years.
The last few years has been an unprecedented time with the challenge of COVID19 and the cost of living crisis. However, this challenge has not deterred us from our goal to serve, give hope and give support to the vulnerable, homeless and those in poverty. Throughout the first wave of the pandemic and lockdown, The Source was open every day throughout the week to provide meals, food, food parcels, supporting people into benefits and accommodation.
We refuse to give up on anyone and we believe that every person can have a bright future and can move from hopelessness into hope. We provide outreach, support and opportunity to help people out of poverty. We have a track record of seeing our clients move away from life-controlling unemployment, homelessness, mental illness, disability, marriage breakdowns, addictions, and therefore breaking the poverty-cycle and reliance on the benefits system. We have also seen many of our clients move into accommodation and employment following our support. Some of our clients have even found God and faith and now regularly attend Church experiencing a real life change.
If you are or anyone you know is in need, no referral is necessary for The Pit Stop. This is currently offering a takeaway service for anyone in need from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
For an Emergency Food Parcel, referrals are made through The Homes and Money Hub.
For The Community Food Club, self-referrals or agency referrals can be made through the Local Borough Barking and Dagenham website.
Barking Learning Centre
2, Town Square.
Barking, IG11 7NB
Open week days only (11.30-1.30)
The Source
37A, Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
Barking, IG11 8DH
Open week days only (10.00-4.00)
STAFF
Rebecca Hutchon
Community Food Club Lead
Kay Thompson
Vicarage Field Shop Lead & Community Worker
Realda Dashi
Source Assistant
OVERVIEW OF OUR SERVICES
Vicarage Field Shopping Centre - Wellbeing Centre
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An arts and craft activity programme for those with mental health issue
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DWP Services –Advisory service helping guests into employment
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Housing and tenancy support
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Dental checks at Barking Learning Centre site
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Referral Centre to services and organisations
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Provide vouchers to the local Food Bank
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Information Centre for events and local services
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Providing a mail box for those without permanent accommodation
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Completing forms for those whose primary language is not English, or who struggle with literacy
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Providing telephone advocacy
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Telephone Help Lines – Rediscover (bereavement & grief), Reconnect (65+ and loneliness/isolation) & Reset (mental ill health, depression & anxiety)
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Providing a listening ear over free refreshments
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Giving prayer support and opportunity to use our Prayer Chapel
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Office to Barking Churches Unite
Barking Learning Centre
- Pit Stop – a free buffet style meal for those people who are homeless or in need, running 5 days a week (11.30am - 1.30pm)
- Distributing free food to the guests to take away
- Clothes Bank for guests
- Food Parcels
- Community Food Club
"I have been involved with the Source since 2016. The Service has grown so much in these past 5 years. It has been such a privilege to work alongside so many wonderful volunteers, and staff to care for the Guests who attend our services.
Over the past 5 years we have helped guests along their journey called life. We have assisted people getting housed, benefits, pensions, furniture, food, referrals to other organisations, and many other things. We have listened, supported and prayed for people, loved and cared for them with the love of Jesus. We have seen people make positive steps towards change. We have helped make a difference in their lives. Having a meal, sitting and chatting, building a family atmosphere was the core of what we did. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions we have been unable to do the sit down meal – although we are providing a takeaway service. Hopefully we will be able to return to a sit down in the future.
As a Manager I have changed as being a part of the Source and all that God is doing. I have seen the power of God work in so many ways. God showed me to look for the little things, the things we take for granted. When I did this my eyes were opened further to see so many more things that God was doing.
God has blessed us in the Provisions that we have to be able to feed, clothe and support our guests.
We have built links with agencies which means we can support our guests further. We have been able to build and develop our services to meet the needs further in our community and will continue to do so. I have seen guys who are tough, break down as they opened up about their lives, I have had hugs from guys who never hug anybody. We have had numerous guys housed, some getting jobs and really turning their lives around, we have had some leave a life of substance abuse behind.
It is a privilege to walk alongside our guests for this part of their journey, to hopefully add value to them, to encourage, support for as long as is needed, to hopefully give them strength and courage to that they can travel on to their next steps in life".
STORIES
The Source exists to help, bless and care for individuals and their needs. Everyones needs are unique and some are very complex. The support we have provided includes; supported guests with access accommodation, benefits and pensions, registering with GP as well as drugs and alcohol support. On occasions we have attended GP, housing, work coach and social worker appointments with guests if needed as well as helping our guests with key workers and immigration officers.
None of this is possible without the kind donations and support of Greggs, Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, KFC, Costco, Barking Gurdwara, Trinity Chapel, Pastor Edward & Josie, Faruk, ICSS Charity, Christ Church, Barking, and grant making bodies shown in the footer; and many more.
"I used to come to The Source whilst I was homeless in 2018 and attending the local night shelter. I then went into a hostel in Newham and all was fine however in April 2019 I had major life changing surgery. Because of my extended time in hospital, I was was made homeless again. The Source helped me with my Universal Credit claim and Journal, and then they found me a borough to help me. I am so grateful to The Source. I do not know what I would have done without them."
"I had recently become unemployed and I then lost my room because I couldn't not pay my rent. The Source put me in the Barking Night Shelter and so I started volunteering. I just wanted to help. I started helping in the kitchen. Not only did I have food to eat, but I felt like I was part of the 'family' and I felt valued and needed. After another injury and more difficult times, The Source recommended me to cook for another charity project. A little while later I got full time employment with an agency and then secured my own room. When I first arrived at The Source, I was suicidal at times and really low. 12months later I was not the same man and I cannot Thank you for your help."
"The Source gave me food so that I didn't have to steal to eat. They gave me dignity and now I don't need their services anymore."
THE SOURCE WAREHOUSE
The Source Warehouse is located at Units 11-12, Riverside Industrial Estate, Thames Road, Barking, IG11 0ND.
The Source Warehouse is a new project of Barking Churches Unite, which provides good quality second hand furniture to the homeless and those in need in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.
Our partners include The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Council, Churches & school. If you wish to be a partner please contact us.
If you wish to donate good quality second hand furniture or white goods we are happy to collect from you free of charge subject to arrangement. Please contact us.
For all requests please contact us on 07868631073
Items required are
Bedroom
Single or Double Bed base Single or Double Mattress
All bedding Bedside cabinets
Chest of draws Wardrobes
Kitchen
Microwave Fridge
Fridge-Freezer Washing Machines
Kettle, toasters Cooking utensils, pots and pans
Crockery, cutlery
Living Room / Miscellaneous
Dining table Dining chairs
Easy chairs Sofa
Small table Table lamp
Coffee table Towels
Small electrical Mirrors
All deliveries to guests are made within normal working hours, Monday - Friday, subject to arrangement.
All our services are provided FREE of charge, both deliveries to end users and collections from donors.
All electrical items are PAT tested for electrical safety before delivery
Source Awards
Visit of Margaret Hodge (MP for Barking)
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Pit Stop & Community Food Club
Manor Junior School Christmas Jumper Day supporting The Source
See their video on FaceBook -https://fb.watch/9ZBgCVlnF5/
Christmas at The Source 2021
The Wates Group visited The Source at The Barking Learning Centre to drop off a generous donation of support to local families in need at Christmas in Barking. A special thank you goes out the The Wates Residential Teams working on sites 1 & 2 in the Gascoigne Estate Redevelopment in Barking
Christmas Tree Prayer Star Station at Vicarage Field Shopping Centre
