Work of Walthamstow Salvation Army praised by King Charles
published on 24 Dec 2024
A Salvation Army officer in London was last week recognised by royalty for the church’s work to support asylum seekers and refugees.
Julie Pell, who is one of the church leaders at Walthamstow Salvation Army, was invited to attend a private reception for King Charles and Queen Camilla when they visited Waltham Forest last Friday.
The visit of the King and Queen was to celebrate the cohesion of the borough’s community following a peaceful anti-racism protest in August 2024, where thousands of Waltham Forest residents came together to demonstrate the true community spirit of the borough. Walthamstow Salvation Army Community Church provides a Resource Hub which each year helps support approximately 2,500 people – a mix of families and individuals - to rebuild their lives.
Anyone who is referred to Walthamstow Salvation Army is offered practical assistance in the form of clothing for all ages, toiletries, furniture, and household items. Walthamstow Salvation Army also provides a free Community Living Room every Friday, a safe, warm and welcome space for anyone to come into.
Julie was one of the guests invited to speak with King Charles about the work of Walthamstow Salvation Army.
Julie said: “King Charles was very friendly and interested in what we all had to say. He asked me what I would be doing if I wasn’t at the reception, and I told him that I would be at our Community Living Room, which is open to anyone to drop into. The King asked me to pass on his thanks to my husband, David, for holding the fort at our church while I was otherwise occupied!
“It’s very much a team effort at Walthamstow Salvation Army, and we couldn’t possibly do what we do without the generosity of our local community, or our staff and volunteers who help ensure people feel safe, welcome and supported.”
Other activity at Walthamstow Salvation Army includes a busy charity shop, pre-school groups, a games club, a chair exercise class, Girlguiding groups and activities that explore the Christian Faith.
