About Chris Milton, Founder of The Way Website

After formal education and a brief period in sales, Chris moved to London and studied for a Higher National Diploma in Building. The career in the building trade did not last very long as the industry hit the slump in the early nineties and Chris was a victim of two consecutive redundancies.

Disillusioned with the UK he then left to work and explore America. The USA made a big impact on him and he had a spiritual re-awakening at the Grand Canyon, making a recommitment to Jesus Christ.

On returning Chris once again found a position in sales, despite numerous attempts to return to the building industry. Finally after several years a position opened within the Worthing Churches Homeless Project (WCHP). A little over a year later he was managing the Resettlement Department, offering choices and supporting homeless people in the WCHP hostels, building contacts with the local agencies, the Council and landlords, including setting up the 'local landlords forum' in Worthing.

Chris and his colleagues became aware that many resettled people required ongoing support, and that many people could not even access accommodation because of other issues in their life. It was clear that a venue was needed where all these people could be supported. After applying for funding, the first full-time day centre in Worthing supporting the vulnerable and homeless was opened in a local church hall. This was open less than a year and closed amidst some local opposition. Chris and others knew that such a project was desperately needed and after a search around Worthing identified a project which he felt was perfect. At the time it was derelict and needed a few hundred thousand pounds spent to restore it. One of the local pastors stood outside the building with him and prayed. The trustees at the time felt this was too much and he was encouraged to drop this dream. Shortly afterwards he felt it was time to leave WCHP – this was not related. Today the prayers have been answered and the building has been refurbished and provides a bustling day centre and base for the outreach work of WCHP.

Largely due to a change in personal circumstances he then moved to Berkshire and worked at Yeldall Manor as a counsellor keyworker for around a year. A move into the centre of Reading followed ending up with employment with a small Christian charity, FAITH Christian Group for the next four years. During this time Chris established the first night shelter, ‘Stepping Stone’ in Reading meaning the council could no longer ignore the plight of the homeless and addicted. A spin off project was set up offering accommodation to some of the hardcore homeless and addicted in the town. In addition, with others, to getting a work with working girls off the ground - he also spent much time networking with churches around Reading, getting more churches to support vulnerable individuals in their communities. Also during this time he started a degree at Moorlands Bible College as a placement based student.

A happy event was his marriage to Lorraine and meant that they both left Reading and moved to Bournemouth. This enabled him to finish his degree as a college based student. A further year in Bournemouth was spent establishing a new post working for Faithworks Wessex setting up outreach work among the drop-in centres run by the churches, while Lorraine studied for a year at Moorlands, and meant he could also complete his degree with a dissertation, which explored further the relationship between the churches and people with addiction problems.

During his final year at college Chris spent five weeks in Kosova on block placement. This was particularly tough for both as they had just got married and moved into their new home in Christchurch, outside Bournemouth. Chris returned and did not expect Kosova to play a part in his future life – someone had other plans!

After returning - a passion and vision for work in Kosova grew and Chris & Lorraine returned as a couple this time and on their last day found out about a vacancy in a tiny village in the south – they applied and were accepted and moved there in November 2008.

Chris's passion and work with the homeless and vulnerable has been rooted in the verses from the Bible, in Proverbs 31 verses 8-9 (NIV): " Speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and the needy."

During all this time Chris developed a specialism in addiction, particularly substance misuse. He completed a range of courses including Christian counselling and various other Christian and secular courses. He also organised and ran monthly training sessions for staff and volunteers, in addition to a variety of other speaking engagements in schools and churches around the country.

A former Accredited Associate Worker with a national charity, Hope UK and a former trustee of Amethyst, offering training around substance misuse to children and young people. Chris is a member of the Evangelical Alliance, and also an active member of ISAAC, the International Substance Abuse and Addiction Coalition, since 1999, attending various conferences and establishing the Bournemouth ISAAC. Chris is available to use not only his experience of addiction, but also of homelessness and of creating, developing, and managing a team to help and support those marginalised and addicted.