Light Project Peterborough is the Bishop’s Charity for 2025. This amazing charity works to enable and equip the church and community to heal the broken-hearted, set free the oppressed, and bring good news to the poor. They have been active in Peterborough since 2009 and continue to support wherever they can.
Over the years they have led City Chaplaincy, Winter Night Shelters, Rest Centres during the Covid 19 ‘Everyone In’ initiative, Multi-Agency Community Support Teams and day time services through the Garden House, based in the Cathedral grounds.
As part of our focus on their work we hear from a couple who were supported recently but for their safety their names have been changed to Meriam and Elias, names chosen by the couple themselves.
 |
Meriam and Elias arrived at the Garden House on Tuesday 8 October, having been repatriated from Lebanon due to the current war situation. When they arrived, they were very shaken and stressed due to having to leave family behind. Meriam said, “On my arrival, I was received by warm and kind people, to my belief they were angels in human form.”
Meriam and Elias mentioned their plan was to go to another country to live with their son. Due to the speed in which they needed to leave Lebanon, Meriam had to be given an emergency document to fly to the UK, but to continue their journey to their son, both needed to renew passports. The Garden House were able to support Elias with the renewal of his passport, but Meriam's situation was complicated as she didn’t have her previous passport, so the process of identification was going to take longer.
For the following three weeks, LPP staff supported the couple to work with the council to find temporary accommodation, supply them with food, drink and cooking equipment as well as toiletries, whilst supporting them with the application for their passports. Staff also attended appointments with them, advocated on their behalf and offered care and comfort where needed. LPP were able to communicate with their son to keep him updated about how things were going so he could book tickets for his parents. Meriam said “The staff have been taking care of us with the utmost kindness and they made us feel at home. I felt that I was amongst my family.”
Whilst Elias's passport arrived promptly, Meriam's took three weeks. It finally arrived on 29 October. Following this, their son was able to purchase plane tickets, and the couple left England on 2 November. They have kindly informed LLP that they arrived safely, and they can now be with their son and family. “We have been overwhelmed with your extraordinary kindness and we really appreciate all that you did for us, thank you!”
Although a very long and complicated situation, LLP were happy to be able to support both Meriam and Elias at such a difficult time. This is a very clear example of how homelessness can happen in many ways, under different circumstances and at any stage of our lives.
Further information on Light Project Peterborough, including how to make a donation or get involved in fundraising, can be found here.