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the story so far

During the late 1960s, Dinah and David Sansome often walked the streets in the West End of London, working with a team of people amongst the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics. These needy people would talk to them for hours into the nights, some as they lay in boxes, wrapped in newspaper, freezing cold, often wet and hurting deeply. They shared their past experiences, usually weeping and sobbing, and pleading just for shelter. Dinah and Dave wept with them, as they fed and clothed them. Realising their plight, Dinah and Dave often took the occasional one back home to their bungalow, and offered some family support which proved very successful.

They also met with some who were facing court appearances and prison sentences. They started to visit people in the prisons of London and other places. When they were released, Dinah and Dave still found that they could only help one at a time.
 








Then, the Bishop of Gloucester heard of what they were doing and, in 1984, offered them a redundant vicarage in his diocese. Dinah and Dave left their full time employment, sold their bungalow, left the comforts of home life and gave their all to this work of helping young people in need. Victory Outreach UK had begun. They continued to visit people on the streets and in prison, and the vicarage was soon filled.

Today, Victory Outreach UK has four homes for young people in need. The young people who receive support come from a variety of backgrounds and from all over the UK. Many have been abused, had addictions and been homeless. Many homeless people are addicted to drink or drugs and funding these habits can often lead to crime and imprisonment. Providing them with a family based home away from their own area gives them the chance to start again. Each home provides the family atmosphere that the majority of the young people have been deprived of in the past.

In 2009, Dinah and Dave stepped down from the full time running of the charity, and handed over leadership to Rev Richard Taylor. Richard’s tale is extraordinary in its own right. You can read Richard’s story by clicking here.