The Cairn Consortium: A sisterhood of strength in unity
The Cairn Consortium – made up of Gilgal, Jericho, and Bethel – is a trio of sister charities that work hand-in-hand, each providing vital services that complement and strengthen one another. Founded through the vision and hard work of two local churches, Dr Christine Parkinson and her associates, this network of support continues to grow and evolve throughout the years.
Our shared roots
The story of the Cairn Consortium began in the late 1980s, when Dr Christine Parkinson felt called by God to move to Birmingham and develop social projects to help the community there. Along with a team of truly inspirational people, first Gilgal, and later its sister organisations Jericho and Bethel, were established.
Maria Blom, one of Dr Christine’s associates, kept a journal documenting her vision around the sister charities.
“It became clear to me that the property was to be called Gilgal (from Joshua 4–5) and from this place would come two others:
Jericho – Needs God’s blessing (to help those in need)
Bethel – The house of the presence of God (people who want to know more about the Lord)”
Though the services offered by these charities have expanded and evolved from what Dr Chrstine and Maria envisioned in the 1980s, their founding spirit remains the same: to provide healing, support, and new beginnings for vulnerable people across Birmingham and beyond.
Gilgal: refuge and renewal
Gilgal Birmingham offers refuge and specialist support to women and children fleeing from domestic abuse. Through safe accommodation, counselling, and a vibrant activities programme, Gilgal empowers residents to overcome trauma, rebuild confidence, and move towards independent, fulfilling lives.
A wonderful example of collaboration within the Consortium is our Holly refuge – a set of move-on flats for single residents. Originally Gilgal’s main refuge site, this building was acquired in 1993 through the generosity of local churches and Dr Christine’s determination. In her book The Desert Will Rejoice, she writes of when she first set eyes upon the site:
“Suddenly, I distinctly heard a voice speaking to me: ‘That’s the place!’ … There was no question in my mind that God was telling me he wanted us to use this building in some way for his purposes.”
Gilgal used the building as our main refuge for 20 years, before moving to a larger location to increase our capacity. Jericho purchased the building and renovated it – today, the flats offer a precious sense of ownership and stability for survivors starting their next chapter.
Jericho: building pathways to employment
Jericho is dedicated to supporting individuals facing significant barriers to employment – from marginalised young people to survivors of modern slavery. Through their network of seven social enterprises, Jericho provides work experience, apprenticeships, and volunteer opportunities, while offering holistic support with life skills, financial literacy, and career development.
The relationship between Gilgal and Jericho is particularly strong, with shared projects such as our Holly refuge highlighting how the two charities’ missions naturally complement one another. Looking ahead, there are exciting plans to deepen this partnership: Jericho hopes to provide employability training, work placements, and even entrepreneurship opportunities to Gilgal’s residents, empowering survivors to thrive economically as well as emotionally.
Moreover, there is hope that Gilgal residents might one day inspire Jericho’s trainees by sharing their personal stories of survival and resilience.
Bethel: supporting new life
Bethel Health & Healing Network works with vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers, providing vital access to healthcare services, emotional support, and advocacy. Their trained Doulas assist women throughout pregnancy, birth, and postnatal care, offering a critical lifeline to those most in need.
The shared mission between Bethel and Gilgal has opened the door to exciting joint projects in 2025, where we aim to provide mutual opportunities for clients to network, build friendships, and gain confidence.
In a particularly inspiring development, Bethel hopes to train some of Gilgal’s residents to become Doulas themselves – offering a meaningful career path and a beautiful way for survivors to give back to their communities.
Solidarity in sisterhood
The Cairn Consortium is more than just three organisations operating side-by-side. It is a living, breathing example of how charities can work together to create lasting change. By pooling resources, sharing expertise, and nurturing a genuine spirit of solidarity, Gilgal, Jericho, and Bethel are building an ecosystem of support that enables individuals not just to survive, but to truly flourish. Members of the three charities meet regularly, forging strong professional and personal relationships, and supporting one another through the unique challenges of leading grassroots organisations.
As we move into 2025 and beyond, we are excited about deepening our partnerships, embarking on new joint ventures, and continuing to live out the vision that inspired our founders all those years ago: a vision of hope, healing, and community.