‘Deaths by despair’ are common in Blackpool. But we’re seeing Jesus changing lives

A recent study found Blackpool had the highest rate of deaths linked to alcohol, drug abuse and suicide in England – dubbed “deaths by despair”. Meet one church leader bringing the hope of Jesus

Three years ago, with permission to travel to explore a job opportunity, my husband and I found ourselves walking the quiet ‘locked down’ streets of the second, fourth and eighth most deprived parts of the country.

As we walked and prayed, we reflected on what it would look like to leave our two jobs in London to share one full time salary; to leave behind a teaching career driven by results and goals; to leave behind the friends, colleagues and church family we cared so much about.

As we did so, we were drawn time and time again to the streets that so many turn away from. When we finished our walk, my husband said: “This is where Jesus would have been, and it’s where we need to be.”