Issue 5 - April 2011 - Ampleforth College

20
THE CARDINAL HUME CENTRE
The Cardinal Hume Centre, established
by Basil Hume, an Abbot of Ampleforth, to
help homeless young people who were
sleeping rough on the streets of London,
this year celebrates its 25th Anniversary.
Philip Marsden (J74) reflects on the work
of the Centre and how Cardinal Hume
might view it today.
“When Basil Hume was Abbot of
Ampleforth he had a big impact on the
school. Although absent for long periods
on monastic business he always had time
for the boys, and a particular interest in
sport where I was fortunate to have most
contact.
“I became interested in his centre after his
death and, together with my family,
became involved in its work about 10 years
ago. It is a remarkable place which has
over the years built upon the Benedictine
ethos of welcome and hospitality upon
which it was founded. Today it provides a
home to 40 homeless young people at any
one time as well as working with hundreds
of local people who are living on the
margins of society. What makes it special is
that it gives people the support they need
as individuals - never taking a one size fits all
approach – an ethos familiar to anyone
associated with Ampleforth. Everyone is
offered a range of support from help with
finding a job, getting into education and
training, learning English, freeing
themselves from debt, advice on housing
and immigration status, even lessons on
how to become better parents.
“I think Basil Hume would be delighted to
see the way the Centre has developed and
that his legacy lives on in such a tangible
way. I think he would be even more
pleased if he felt that Ampleforth and
particularly its friends and alumni might play
a bigger part in the development of its next
25 years.”
The Cardinal
Hume Centre
Young people from the Cardinal Hume
Centre tell their stories on an exciting new
video about the Centre and its work. You
can view it on YouTube or by visiting
www.cardinalhumecentre.org.uk.