On Thursday 4 December 2025, people from across Wolverhampton gathered in the quiet beauty of St Peter’s Collegiate Church for the Good Shepherd’s Annual Service of Thanks. It was a simple service, with prayer, carols and reflections. A moment to pause, to honour the year just gone, and to recognise the countless acts of kindness that help people feel valued, supported and seen.
I attended on behalf of Street Support West Midlands, joining volunteers, partners, supporters, staff and people with lived experience. The atmosphere was gentle and honest, held together by the shared understanding that none of this work happens alone.
Grounded in Hope
For more than fifty years, Good Shepherd has walked alongside people in Wolverhampton who are facing the hardest moments of their lives. The service reminded us that support is not only about meeting need. It is also about building belonging, restoring confidence and ensuring people have influence over their own lives.
The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, read the Old Testament reading from Isaiah 9:2-7. The opening verse reads “The people who walked in darkness; have seen a great light.” These words, echoing the motto of the city of Woverhampton, became a thread through the whole afternoon.
A Sermon of Light and Responsibility
Monsignor Mark Crisp from SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church presided and offered a sermon that spoke directly to the heart of the work happening in the city.
He reflected on Advent, a season often overshadowed by the rush to Christmas, and reminded us that its message is not abstract. Advent calls people to prepare the way, to help shape a world ready for justice, peace and compassion.
He drew on Pope Leo XIV’s recent exhortation “Dilexi Te” and reminded us that hospitality, compassion and respect are not optional virtues. They sit at the centre of faith and at the centre of community. His message was clear. Good Shepherd’s work is a living expression of that light. Every volunteer, every partner and every supporter becomes part of it.
Stories That Hold Both Pain and Hope
Three personal stories were shared. Each one was different, yet all carried the same thread of courage.
Charlotte
Charlotte spoke about growing up in the shadow of her father’s addiction, and the long and patient support the Good Shepherd offered him. They did not only give him a bed. They offered dignity, stability and the chance to keep trying.
Years later, Charlotte found herself facing her own battle with addiction. Through creativity, connection and the steady presence of Good Shepherd staff, she began to rebuild. Her journey has come full circle. She now contributes through art workshops and recovery activities, offering hope to others.
Awal
Awal’s story, read on his behalf by Kate, Community Engagement, Good Shepherd, was almost too hard to take in at times. He shared about displacement, violence, the loss of family, torture and then homelessness on the streets of Wolverhampton.
Good Shepherd and local partners offered warmth, safety, legal support and connection. Over time, Awal found stability, friends, language and purpose, and eventually refugee status. He now volunteers, studies English and is training for self-employment. His words were simple and unforgettable: “They gave me back my life”
Lindsey
Lindsey’s story, read on her behalf by Dawn, Senior Key Worker, spoke of domestic abuse, addiction and the devastating experience of having a child removed. At her lowest point, she struggled to see a way forward.
Good Shepherd walked with her step by step. They supported her with safe housing, advocacy, emotional support and the Women’s Empowerment Programme. Slowly, things began to change. Lindsey now has a stable home, is volunteering, and her daughter is returning to live with her permanently. Her determination shone through every sentence.
Remembering Together
Near the end of the service, guests were invited to write the name of someone who had died over the past year on a small leaf-shaped card and hang it on a Tree of Hope.
One by one, people also lit candles and placed them beside the tree. It was a quiet act, but deeply moving. A reminder that loss sits alongside progress, and that every life matters.
A Community Walking in the Light
There was a steady feeling of togetherness throughout the service. Different stories, different backgrounds, but a shared commitment to helping people find safety and rebuild.
Good Shepherd’s mission statement says it clearly:
End homelessness || Support recovery || Create pathways out of poverty.
The service showed what this looks like in real life.
Long term commitment. Practical help at the right moment. Patient relationships. Creativity. And the courage of people who keep going even when everything feels impossible.
As Monsignor Crisp shared, living in the light is not about grand gestures. It is about turning up with hospitality, compassion and respect, again and again.
And that is exactly what the Good Shepherd community has been doing for more than fifty years.
Give Help
You can help by donating essential items, giving your time as a volunteer, or offering financial support to keep vital services running. Every contribution, large or small, helps people in Wolverhampton feel valued, supported and less alone.
If you would like to get involved, the Good Shepherd team will be glad to hear from you. office@gsmwolverhampton.org.uk