The need is out there

I wonder how often we pass by real need without knowing about it.

As we walk down the street, do we see the homeless man sitting quietly on the park bench; the single parent struggling with three kids; the pensioner trying to make ends meet; the lonely 30something who longs to find a life partner; the stepfamily trying to get it right the second time around; the teenager trying to resist the drug lifestyle of her peers and not quite succeeding.

Consider the following statistics:

In the UK in 2007:

• There is £1.3 trillion of personal debt. It is rising at a rate of £1million pounds every four minutes.
• 40% per cent of all marriages end in divorce.
• There are 1.75million single parents and growing.
• 26% of all children are living in one-parent families (2.6million).
• Stepfamilies are the fastest growing family type in the UK. 18 million people in the UK are involved in a step family experience.
• By 2010 it is estimated 40% of British households will be single occupancy.
• A recent report showed that family splits caused social problems costing £20billion.
• The prison population has spiralled in the last 15 years. Typical inmates are young men, three quarters have a drug or alcohol problem and 60% come from broken homes.

It’s easy when faced with such statistics to throw our hands up in horror and feel overwhelmed. The situation is too serious - there is little we can do to make a difference.

But a little is always better than nothing.

All around us every day are problems that are full of possibility if we simply cross the road and offer support.

Last Updated 30 November 2010