Retreat on the Street reflections

Church Urban Fund CEO Tim Bissett took part in the Liverpool Retreat on the Street on 3 March, spending the day without food or money.

Becky Atkins asked Tim to reflect on how the day had changed his feelings about the city, and whether he had seen anything surprising. Having a day to just quietly observe what was going on around him was strangely peaceful, Tim found, but it was when he wandered up towards Anfield that he gained an insight into the differences between the wealthy and the more deprived parts of the city.

"There's some stark contrasts in Liverpool," Tim says. "I had time to walk to the Anfield stadium where Liverpool [Football Club] are ... Around are rows and rows of boarded-up houses, which are really very neglected, but with people still living there. And I thought to myself: how do those millionaire footballers feel as they drive through these boarded-up and very neglected streets on their way to work? What do they really make of that? But then I thought as well: what do I make of it? I'm here, looking at the contrast, but what should I do?"
 

Sonya Doragh also took part in Retreat on the Street in Liverpool; Sonya was interviewed by BBC Radio Merseyside's Tony Snell before she went off to discover the city for the day.

We asked Sonya for her thoughts about what she'd seen and experienced during the day, and whether she'd learnt anything unexpected:

"I learnt that the team that empty the bins on the street know the names of the Big Issue sellers and stop to talk with them; it was heart warming to see community functioning. I saw that the people of Liverpool have very mixed reactions to Big Issue sellers and buskers, some treating them as though they are invisible and others greeting them by name, as friends. Some of the coffee shops take hot drinks out to the Big Issue sellers which was a joy to witness. I learnt how much one banana costs – I’ve always bought whole bunches!

"I was surprised by God’s amazing generosity; although I couldn’t actually bring myself to ask, people I met gave me money and food when they heard what we were doing. There have been many times when my unmet expectations have led to disappointment but this day my expectations of being lonely and hungry were unmet bringing a strong awareness of God’s love and comfort.

"I was shocked, early in the day, to feel a stab of jealousy as I watched people giving money to a busker! I was also shocked by how many people passed the Big Issue sellers as though they were invisible. I have found Liverpool to be a consistently friendly, open and welcoming city; ignoring someone does not fit my experience of the city."