Salvation Army’s ‘On the Streets’ ministry marks four years of serving Portsmouth

This October, The Salvation Army in Portsmouth is celebrating a significant milestone: four years of its ‘On the Streets’ ministry, a simple yet powerful initiative that has touched countless lives across the city. What began as a response to a call to be a “church without walls” has grown into a consistent, relational presence on the streets of Portsmouth, offering free refreshments, conversation and prayer to anyone who passes by.

The ministry, based at Portsmouth Citadel on 17 Lake Road, was born out of a conviction shared by Rob Warburton, Community Centre Manager, who felt God calling the church to move beyond its physical walls. Rob said, “It’s literally a table, some tea and coffee, perhaps a chocolate and often a gift of Christian material. The rest of it is about conversation."

And move outside they did. Several times a year—often around Easter, Mother’s Day, School breaks, Valentine’s Day and Christmas, a team from the Corps (church) sets up a table outside the building, offering tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juice, and a small snack. But the real ministry, Rob explains, is in the conversations. Over the past four years, the initiative has become a familiar and welcomed sight.

“We’re seeing the same faces. We’re starting to know people by name. Those relationships are developing. While the physical walls of the building remain, the relational walls between the church and its community are coming down. Out of simple obedience of moving outside, God is blessing what we do. I would happily do it every day.”

 The ministry’s support goes beyond spiritual and pastoral care—it extends to meeting practical needs as well. When people lack basic essentials, the team steps in with tangible help, from furniture to household items and connections to wider services. Rob shares stories of divine appointments where simple conversations opened doors to deeper connection, prayer, and tangible help.

Rob said, “If it’s obvious that there are other things we can support with we do. We don’t just pray for people and walk away—if someone’s got an empty flat and nothing to put in it, we’ll do what we can to help.”

In the past, the team has met people who had recently moved into new accommodation with very little. Rather than simply offering prayer, they reached out to The Salvation Army charity shop in Cosham and the Salvation Army donation centre in Havant to secure furniture, household essentials, and other items. The team has also linked individuals into other programmes at the church and connected them with additional services across the city—everything from housing support to community groups—ensuring that the care they receive on the street continues long after the table is packed away.

The ‘On the Streets’ ministry is run by a small but dedicated team. They typically serve on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. when foot traffic past the building is at its highest. While early mornings can be a challenge, the team remains committed.

Looking ahead, Rob dreams of seeing the ministry expand—not just to other Salvation Army locations, but to the wider church in Portsmouth. He also sees potential for taking the table beyond Lake Road—to the city centre, to the Salvation Army shop in Cosham, or the donation centre in Havant.

 “It’s so simple, it’s easy to do anywhere.”

 As The Salvation Army celebrates four years of ‘On the Streets’, the message is clear: the church is not a building, but the people—willing to step outside, offer a cup of tea, listen, pray, and roll up their sleeves to meet real needs. To learn more about their programmes and to donate in support of their work, visit their website: Portsmouth Citadel | The Salvation Army.