In a queue, and newly homeless, I realised: this is where change begins

Sheffield, 2025 – Wayne Walton, once newly homeless and standing in a food queue in northeast London, says that moment “was exactly where change begins”. Now walking over 10,000 miles across the UK to champion the eradication of homelessness, his story is both prayerful and practical.

🏠 From crisis to community

Born in northeast London, Wayne experienced homelessness first-hand in 2019 after suffering violence and racial discrimination. He found himself sleeping rough, often in shopping centres, and relying on churches for sustenance. He recalls:

“Standing in that queue, I felt like I shouldn’t be there. But then I realised—this is exactly where change begins.” 

Moved to act, Wayne began mobilising Christian aid groups, volunteering with the “Everyone In” initiative during the pandemic. Remarkably, what officials deemed impossible for a decade was achieved in mere weeks. He helped establish temporary shelters and assisted with emergency support—sometimes using a donated minibus to deliver aid.

Expanding from Sheffield to the nation

After a formative stay in Sheffield, Wayne embraced a deeper calling rooted in faith—he now balances couch-surfing with leading efforts to uplift others. He’s launched counselling and evangelism programs and remains intimately connected to the lived experience of homelessness 

His current ambition? To fund and launch a mobile emergency support van that can deliver vital resources—food, care, transport—directly where it’s needed. This would be a lifeline for those unable to reach services, such as a blind former Muslim struggling with PTSD.

A call for collective action

Wayne stresses homelessness isn’t just a local issue—it’s a national emergency. He urges communities across the UK to unite, demand accountability, and support sustainable solutions. To bring this vision to life:

• Community meetings take place every Friday at Barker’s Pool, Sheffield (6pm–9pm).

• Strategic goals include sourcing funding for the mobile unit, organising rallies, and pressing government action.

• Spiritual mobilisation continues through a national Prayer Festival (May 25) and a planned Praise UK rally (August 23–25) 

“Insanity,” he quotes Einstein, “is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Wayne insists it's time for a new, Christ-led approach to homelessness.

How you can help

• Donate to Wayne’s mobile unit initiative.

• Pray daily at 8am for sustainable housing justice.

• Join the Friday meetings in Sheffield—or support from afar via ukcities4christ@gmail.com.

• Share his story and challenge your own church to act.

Why this matters to Christian readers

This report shows Christian faith in action: seeing Christ in the homeless, responding with compassion, and advocating for structural change. Wayne’s journey—steeped in prayer, personal experience, and organised activism—challenges every believer to ask: How is God calling your church to stand with the most vulnerable?