Stephen Westwood has been a Salvation Army officer for quarter of a century. He talks to reporter LEAH POWELL about how he found God, his year spent running Newport Citadel Corps and his plans for the future

“I am 55 years old and was born in Stockport in Cheshire.

Sadly, my parents separated when I was 11 years old, and my mother had to raise me, my older brother – Richard Westwood – and sister – Annette Fuster – as a single parent.

She was an alcoholic, which affected her personality, and wasn’t very nice. I moved to Blackpool, as my father lived there with his new lady friend, but they didn’t really want to know me. I ended up in a little bedsit when I was 15, with a job at the local printing press.

Three years later I joined the Salvation Army.

My brother converted to Christianity and invited me to an all-night prayer fellowship, which sounded exciting. There were a surprising amount of youngsters my age there and I felt the Lord in a wonderful way. I’d never been to church before; I thought it would be boring. That night I converted instantly and I haven’t looked back since.

My sister is a Christian as well, but she’s lived in France for over 40 years. She goes to church, but isn’t a member of the Salvation Army. They have it in France, but it’s not as vibrant and strong as it is in this country or many other countries.

I was commissioned and ordained 25 years ago this year, in the Royal Albert Hall in 1993. It was a wonderful experience led by Eva Burrows, who was general manager of the Salvation Army at that time, before being sent to Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire. Sometimes it can be difficult being a minister, because we don’t choose where we go, but it’s an exciting adventure because I go to places I’ve never heard of. Throughout these 25 years I’ve made lifelong friends from various places.

I’ve spent the past 11 years in South Wales, but during my time as an officer I’ve also spent three years in Connah’s Quay and five in Salisbury which is a lovely cathedral city in Wiltshire.

Every where we go we encounter new friendships, but also new challenges. Most places we’ve been we are still in contact regularly with people. Not everybody, because it’s not possible as you’d be on the phone 24-7. When we were in the college back in 1991, we met people there who were friends for life.

In the Salvation Army we use military terms but we’re a Christian church. Being an officer means being responsible for the church, the Sunday congregation, pastoral work and teaching. There’s a lot of support in place, especially for things like maintenance and finance, and we are fortunate to have a regional centre here in Newport.

Newport Citadel is open four hours a day, five days a week, and we have regular members of the public come to visit. Every day we help the homeless with clothes and food.

It is a safe haven where people feel safe and comfortable and are able to build up relationships. There’s a few people who’ve opened up and really spoken about sadness in their life and we offer solace.

Each Monday the Citadel runs a Come And Meet Each Other (CAMEO) group, which is a fellowship run by a local lady who also organises crafts each Wednesday. Some people visit three or four times a week and have a network of friends that they probably only meet in here.

On Wednesday mornings we say prayers. The public are welcome to join us, or make a prayer request. We also host a monthly dementia group, and welcome and cater for Deafblind Cymru who use our hall on the second Monday of each month.

On Thursdays you can usually find me on Commercial Street giving out our weekly news publication – War Cry – and our children’s comic – Kids Alive.

I hand them out and receive donations; people come to chat and it’s really interesting. You go to some big cities and it can feel very impersonal, almost hostile, but Newport is small. It’s more like a town and the people are generally friendly.

The Citadel also has a service at 10.30am every Sunday which is open to the public. We also have a humble little singing group, that sings as part of worship and I take part in.

The Salvation Army works with many other agencies and to help improve the community. A major issue in Newport is homelessness, which is prominent in such a small city. The Salvation Army has worked with homeless people for over 130 years.

The Salvation Army’s homelessness services include: supported accommodation specifically tailored to people’s needs. This is vital, as often homeless people may face mental health issues, addiction, or be victims of domestic violence. We currently offer floating support to 759 individuals.

We also offer practical support, such as meals and shelters in cold weather. Plus by chatting we can help the homeless – or anyone else – avoid potential feelings of isolation. Community is important, because nobody should ever be lonely or sad. The homelessness services also include social enterprise opportunities, such as a bicycle repair shop and a sandwich making businesses in a number of our centres.

We also have a family-tracing service which is actually more successful than the government agencies. We run Employment Plus, which offers guidance to people pursuing employment.

There’s always a connection with local groups with an understanding of the community’s needs. The public are generous. They donated presents for our Christmas toy appeal, which we sent to children’s homes and families in need.

We also get daily donations from Marks & Spencer and Costa. These items are nearing expiration, or would otherwise be thrown out, and are given for free to people in need. Marks & Spencer are very good to Salvation Army across the country.

Although 25 years may seem like a long time, this isn’t uncommon. The vast majority who help at Salvation Army stay until they retire, and many continue voluntary work after retirement.

The church members here are volunteers, aside from me and my wife – Bernadette – who are full time and get a monthly allowance, with a small pension for when we retire.

Our assistant is employed part time, but it’s well worth it because she’s fabulous and we would really struggle without her.

My year in Newport has been challenging, but also very rewarding. We are really settled her, but will be leaving for Barking in Essex next month. I’m really sad to be leaving, but I believe and know that God has his hand in the future.

Over the years I’ve become more and more sure of my faith. For me it’s not so much believing in God, but knowing God. It sounds arrogant to say, but I know God and He is perfect and wonderful.

At the moment Bernadette and I are responsible for Newport Citadel, but when we leave we will be replaced with a couple – Joyce and Ray Baynes – from Halifax Salvation Army.

I think they’ll fit in really well, as they have a real heart for the homeless. That will be a new, exciting chapter in the history of Newport’s Salvation Army.