New Salvation Army Homeless Shelter Opens in Bristol

|TOP|The Salvation Army has opened a new centre to provide homeless people in Bristol with accommodation and support.

The monotone 1970s centre has been modernised into a new state-of-the-art facility that will house and support up to 93 homeless people from across the city.

Logos House – co-developed by The Salvation Army Housing Association in partnership with Bristol City Council’s Supporting People Team – is also designed to help the residents make a permanent move away from homelessness and break free from addictions, reports The Good News.

The Salvation Army Housing Association contributed some of its own funds towards the £6.7 million needed to fund the project, with other contributions including a grant from the Housing Corporation and generous support from the public.

|AD|Secretary for The Salvation Army’s Programme Service in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Lieutenant Colonel Keith Burridge, conducted a Service of Dedication to mark the official opening of the centre.

The name Logos House partly stems from the need to maintain the letters LGS, previously used to denote the old entrance of the building onto Little George Street, but also refers to the Greek word ‘logos’ used in the Bible where Jesus is described as the Word of God, the fountain of knowledge to help all people face life and eternity.

“The Salvation Army is pleased that the old building has been replaced so effectively to provide a warm, supportive environment for 93 residents who will be able to find a home, address addiction problems and, as appropriate, undertake a programme of training in preparation for a move to their own homes in due course," said centre manager, Kris Griffin.

"A partnership with Bristol City Council has enabled us to develop our work and also improve the facilities for all our service users.

"We strive for the best quality provision in order to help the current service users, and those who will come in the future, get back on their feet and restore their dignity so that they can take a constructive place back in mainstream community life."