God answers prayers in his time not ours. SACRO, a not-for-profit Scottish Community Justice Organisation, works to deliver life-changing services. They are contracted by Moray Council to provide temporary supported accommodation in Guildry House, Elgin, where the residents have an opportunity to turn their lives round, working with staff to build confidence in life skills to help towards living independently.
In 2021, Ian Macallion (Fish Trawler) was contacted by a staff member to supply fish for the hostel. Ian and Liz Ashworth (SALU Church) had been talking for some time about how to help the residents; could this be an opportunity?
That year, the staff agreed to us cooking a Christmas dinner for them. Somehow, we made fourteen separate meals, all packed into hand-decorated bags. We wrote Christmas cards, bought brightly coloured napkins, designed and printed out menus. Christmas morning came, and Ian and Liz delivered that first meal to grateful staff and then left. What could we do next to help?
Gradually through their visits, Isabel Spence, (SALU) Ian, Linda and Liz got to know the staff. The congregation of SALU also began to become more involved, giving donations of money, advice and support. Friends volunteered to cook. Staff members, Lesley and Kitchie, talked with the SALU church group TOFM to raise understanding of the challenges faced by the residents and staff at Guildry House. Ever so slowly, things began to happen.
A fund-raising coffee morning was hosted by members of SALU and generous donations have helped finance plans. A fortnightly supper club has grown into a happy social event. Resident Scott, a keen cook, has joined our team to serve supper club meals, encouraging residents to eat together. Recently residents have been more involved, making their own menu requests, eagerly looking forward to their next meal together.
At Christmas, Easter and other notable events we make sure that all at Guildry House are included in the party.
Thank you to all who have helped:
- Ian Mcallion and staff at the Fish Trawler, Elgin
- Roy and Val Matheson of Elgin’s Orchards for bottles of apple and pear juice.
- Derek and Joanna Sledz for their kind donation of beautiful packs of traditional Polish Christmas Biscuits
- Members of SALU (St Andrews Lhanbryd and Urquhart Church) for their encouragement, interest and unwavering support
- The cooks: Marlene Cruickshank (SALU), Linda Dunbar and Liz Ashworth
- Isabel Spence and her helpers at the SALU church Thrift Shop. Where possible, the shop provides household items and clothing to meet the needs of residents and those moving into their own accommodation.
- The staff at Guildry House for their friendship, wise counsel and advice.
Through it all we have learned a lot about patience and the need to understand where people are at. It is about people whose lives have been affected by trauma. What would Jesus do? I don’t know, but the wise caring staff at Guildry House live it every day.
It is wonderful what giving and sharing simple meals can do. We give what we can but are given so much more in return.
I hope and pray that we at SALU can build on our growing friendship to continue support for the residents in Guildry House and in the future as they travel on the next part of their life journey. As a first step, we hope that a simple wishing-you-well card will assure residents of SALU’s continuing friendship as they move out into the wider community.
