SoundCafe Leicester ended the summer season in song and celebration at St Mary de Castro Church with the formal licensing of the Revd Tony Leighton as lead for this BMO (Bishop’s Mission Order).
On Monday 30 June, guests, trustees, colleagues and supporters came together for a fun afternoon of activities and licensing service, followed by cream tea and songs from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Bishop Saju, who conducted Revd Tony’s licensing, sang his heart out alongside the SoundCafe choir, much to the joy of everyone gathered.
SoundCafe Leicester is a registered charity, providing a safe creative space for adults who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, vulnerable or socially isolated as a consequence of their living arrangements.
The charity offers opportunities to promote feelings of well-being, confidence and self-esteem by enabling their guests to take part in creative activities such as singing together, poetry, crafts, drawing and painting. They empower them to find ‘their voice’ and thereby redefine who they are and shape their journey of rebuilding their lives.
As current Chair of Trustees, volunteer, choir member, and long-time supporter in prayer of the charity, Revd Tony was the perfect fit for ‘leader’ of the BMO in his ministerial capacity.
In his last diocesan role before ‘retirement’, he was Master (Chaplain and Governor/Trustee) of The Wyggestons and Trinity Almshouses Charity, and currently serves as Bishop's Officer for Retired Clergy and Widows and has Permission to Officiate.
Reflecting on the licensing occasion, Revd Tony said: “The most special moment for me was, before the formal licensing, when Bishop Saju asked the guests about Sound Café and they (without prompting) shouted out how much they liked being part of Sound Café. They said they feel safe and part of a ‘family’. Although Bishop Saju’s singing with the choir will long be remembered!”
He added: “Going forward, I want SoundCafe to continue to reach out to more of those who would find what we offer helpful.
“We also need to have a more secure financial base. We have no endowment funds and have to constantly prepare grant proposals to other charities and organisations to ask for their financial support.”
How You Can Help
Donate time to SoundCafé:
- Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis to support the project on Wednesday afternoons.
- Could you provide professional skills on a consultancy basis to advise the Trustee Board? e.g. legal, financial, human resources
Get in contact at: www.soundcafe.org.uk
‘Find a Voice’ Campaign
SoundCafe is currently fundraising through spacehive.com/find-a-voice
All pledges of support will help make the difference to giving its guests ‘their voice’ and addressing the challenge of homelessness – please pledge if you are able.