Supporting a journey into employment

We recently received a wonderful email from one of our partners in London, which runs a charity supporting women with multiple disadvantages into employment and independence. They do this in the format of providing training in a bakery setting, which enables many to progress in their journey into employment, and gain independence.

Their head of programme at the charity (who is also the Acts 435 Advocate) emailed to give us an update on one of the women they have been supporting for the last two years, and who has been helped along her journey with needs provided by Acts 435 donors. Flora* is a victim of trafficking, and has been on a journey to recover from the trauma she has experienced, but also move into employment.

The charity posted a request for Flora* in October 2023, when she was in urgent need of basic essentials, such as food and winter clothing. At the time of posting the request the charity also submitted a prayer request for Flora, as she was awaiting her asylum claim.

The request was met by wonderful Acts 435 donors, and in saying thank you to the donors who gave Flora said: "You gave me some relief".

Flora has continued to be supported by the charity, and she has sought a journey into employment. She is in current need of a bike, which will enable her to travel to her first paid job as a cafe assistant in London. As she was submitting the request the local Advocate said:

When submitting the request, I revisited her previous request from October 2023. At the time, she was still an asylum seeker with no recourse to public funds. In that request, I included a prayer asking, "Please pray for F, that the Home Office will process her asylum claim so that she can move on with her life."

I wanted to share the wonderful news that your prayers were answered, she now has her status and has started her journey into employment. We’re deeply grateful for the continued support from Acts 435.

Flora's story is not an unusual one, as many of our partners provide ongoing support into housing, employment or help for those seeking independence. As a charity we are very thankful to be a part of someone's journey . This is often through requests for help that will help to give a step forward on someone's journey, but also through our dedicated supporters who offer to pray for individuals, like Flora. This prayer support is invaluable to us as a charity, and to our partners and those they help.

If you would like to support individuals through prayer you can sign-up to receive our monthly prayer bulletin on our website: https://www.acts435.org.uk/prayer-bulletin

*name changed