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Angels Story


Hi, I’m Angel, I’m in my 40’s, born and raised in London UK. I wasn’t raised in a Christian household but a broken and substance misusing one. It was this painful upbringing that inspired this idea many years ago.

My Background in Community

From a young age, I felt called to serve those more in need then myself.

  • At 17 I was working as a nursery nurse
  • At 19 while studying for my honours degree in Photographic Arts, I became the Arts Project Manager for the New Deal for Communities Project in North Fulham. I designed classes, hired staff, and cared for children from our underserved community during their holidays.
  • At 20 I trained as a Health Advocate with Chelsea Football Club
  • At 22 I volunteered as the Youth Representative on the NDC Partnerships Board
  • At 23 I became the Community Recycling Coordinator on a local estate, meeting residents face-to-face and increasing recycling from 10% to 97%
  • In my late 20s I completed a postgraduate certificate and diploma in psychology, specialising in health psychology. For my final experiment of 100 people my results proved my hypothesis that mental health physical health and happiness are very connected.

After this I experienced some life changing experience l and moved to a house with a garden where I discovered first-hand the positive effects the connection with nature has on our wellbeing. While recovering, I became a Community Champion and then a Community Support Worker for a substance misuse charity and gave my life to Christ in 2017 and have volunteered at church, running art groups, helping in kids church, community wellbeing groups and community gardening projects when able.

My Passion For Sustainability

For over 15 years I’ve been self-educating in sustainability, low-impact living and zero waste lifestyle. Natural, non-harmful building techniques, green energy, regenerative farming practices as well as permaculture and trying to live the best we can as humans.

I’ve lived in eco-villages and intentional communities where I learned what works and what doesn’t. I’ve built with cob, saw grey water and green energy systems being used, compost toilets, and learnt organic gardening, composting, and growing food. 

It’s become my biggest passion after God. Trying to live without harming the earth and others is a big part of my life. 

What I found was this: the communities I lived in had amazing eco skills, but they didn’t have real love because God is love, and they didn’t have God. They didn’t have well-being or safe space, people checking in on each other daily and truly, unselfishly caring. 

That’s why Christian Eco Villages will be different. We’ll bring together the best of eco living hemp building, regenerative farming, bushcraft, caring for creation, etc with daily well-being practices of prayer and caring for one another the way God intended. Because loving the earth is important, but loving one another is key. 

I believe God calls us to tend the garden and the earth. I’m passionate about teaching others how to live sustainably, reuse, recycle and stop harming what God’s created. Some people aren’t even aware of the damage the lifestyles they lead are causing. I’ve given a talk at church about recycling and our church is part of the Rocha Eco Church movement. 

Fast fashion, unneeded waste and harm to the earth… that’s not the life God designed for us. I’d love to share this info on our social media pages and be available for people to attend workshops at the eco villages. 

It’s very important to show the world a more gentle way of living is possible that doesn’t destroy the planet and everything on it. So many people are driven by selfish greed, conditioned by society to fit in and buy the next best thing. But that is ultimately destroying human nature and disconnecting us from one another and God, because it creates division and jealousy which God doesn’t want for us.

My Professional Work

For more than a decade, I worked professionally in the substance-misuse sector, supporting some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in society

Through this work, I witnessed the effects of trauma, addiction, loneliness, poor mental health and social isolation. I met people who were often judged by society without others understanding the pain, loss or circumstances behind their behaviour.

I also saw something deeply important: people rarely heal through judgement and isolation. They are more likely to begin rebuilding their lives when they experience safety, compassion, stability, meaningful relationships and genuine hope.

These experiences helped shape my belief that another/better way of living is possible.

My Family’s Experience of Addiction

A close member of my immediate family lived with heroin addiction for the whole time I knew them. I watched them enter rehabilitation, become free from drugs for a very short time and then return to the same environment, relationships and unresolved pain making them relapse. This was so painful for my family splitting it in pieces and causing more trauma to the next generation. The only time I saw my loved one happy was when they must of encountered some Christians who took him to church, I could see what I know now as the holy spirit alive in him but it didn’t last long as the pull of the enemy is strong and the flesh is weak without daily discipleship.

One day I asked them why they had started to take drugs and they told me they experienced serious childhood trauma and later suffered a deeply painful relationship breakdown. Heroin was initially presented to them as something that could take the emotional pain away. For a short time, it may have felt as though it did. But what appeared to offer relief eventually became another source of suffering.

I hated seeing them and other family members suffer, I started to wonder after rehabilitation what if they were in the middle of no where aka the countryside where they couldn’t get the drugs then I thought they would leave to find them but what if they had a loving group of people around them and engaging creative projects they loved to keep them busy surely this would be enough to stop them from returning to this fatal addiction? And that was the seed for this project over 20 years ago.

Sadly, it is too late for my loved one, who passed away in 2014. However I hope that one day this project may help create healthier conditions for others who are struggling to break free.

Growing up with 4 out of 5 of my immediate family using substances to cope with there pain it wasn’t long before it happened to me but mine was actually pier pressure from my best friends older friend one day when I was low the group pressured me into trying weed for the first time and then my drug use began for 20 years, but I wasn’t on it everyday or all day usually just used in the evenings to relax as I was not a functional user and couldn’t do much after being intoxicated.

Mental health care wasn’t talked about or even really a thing when I was growing up and its only really becoming a thing now but it still is not as good as it should be. The bible says

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

If you believe your already doing this and still have a issue you can watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ibm2zVbznc

Search for Healing

Being raised in a family who didn’t have any real connection with God meant they followed the world and so this is what I was programmed with growing up. I believed that independence, money, and financial success would make me happy but it didn’t. I looked for fulfilment in places that pretended to be good but ultimately were making me live in sin causing me to feel dead and get into very dangerous situations. This lead to being diagnosed with severe depression, anxiety and having several suicide attempts.

Eventually, I figured out substance misuse was creating mood swings I couldn’t survive with so decided to give up drugs and being drunk but I needed support so got a key worker and counselling which gave me a healthier space to speak about my problems and begin understanding the experiences beneath some of my behaviours. My grandmother was a Christian so I knew about God and decided to pray to help give up these substances so my life could be better and God did eventually break me free from that harmful behaviour.

Before becoming a Christian, I explored New Age spirituality because I was searching for healing, meaning and truth, like what were we here for what is our purpose on earth what really is happening here?

At first, some of it appeared peaceful and positive. But over time, I became uncomfortable with parts, it did not provide the pure love, truth or sense of safety that my soul needed.

One day on my search for what is happening on this planet I came across the testimony of John Ramirez, an ex Satanist who had become a Christian preacher. His story is about being a 2nd generation satanist who would do black magic that killed people for money and one day some people asked him to kill a Christian lady. He hated Christians so much he said he would do it for free, so he sent his demons to her house and they came running back saying not to be sent there ever again as there were giant fiery angels protecting her. He asked the devil the next time he saw him why didn’t the magic work and he said because she believes in her God. Then I realised the spirit realm is real and I needed to start going to church.

Giving My Life to Christ

In 2017 the day I gave my life to Christ I had a supernatural encounter with the Holy Spirit, the feeling was better then any worldly thing I’d ever tried, it was a supernatural overwhelming feeling of PEACE and JOY and I felt my whole body was like brand new, I suppose that why they call it being born again.

The Bible says:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17

For a time, I felt little desire for the unhealthy habits and distractions that had previously occupied so much of my life. I wanted to learn about God and fill my mind with Christian teaching.

However, I soon discovered that becoming a Christian did not mean every struggle instantly disappeared.

I still lived within the same surroundings and habits I had known before. I needed guidance, mature Christian relationships and practical help learning how to live out my new faith.

This experience taught me that conversion can be the beginning of a journey rather than the end of one.

The Importance of Discipleship

After becoming a Christian, I struggled because I did not initially receive the consistent discipleship and support I needed.

I had experienced a powerful beginning, but I did not yet understand how to build strong daily spiritual practices.

I needed help learning how to, Love the Lord with all my heart soul and mind and my neighbour as myself.

  • Read and understand the Bible
  • Pray regularly
  • Recognise unhealthy patterns
  • Develop self-control
  • Build healthy Christian relationships
  • Apply biblical teaching to everyday life

Living alone made this really difficult as I experienced a lot of spiritual warfare because I didn’t know how to submit myself to God. Eventually, I asked a discipleship leader to help me read the Bible consistently. We began a ninety-day New Testament reading plan using the holy Bible app.

This practice changed my life,the more I read Scripture, the more I experienced peace, wisdom and a deeper dependency on God as my father who loves me and wants to provide for me. Reading the Bible stopped feeling like a duty and became something I genuinely looked forward to.

I also began attending a different church where I met more mature believers and people with whom I could build meaningful Christian friendships.

I learned pretty early that church should be more than attending a service for a few hours each week, discipleship is a 24/7 life choice. You can’t be half in and half out you just cause yourself to live in stress, chaos and pain but if your able to devote your life to loving God then this is the highest achievement a human can have on earth. Which is now the foundations of the Christian Eco Villages.

Faith in Everyday Life

The Bible teaches that spiritual growth involves gradually leaving behind harmful ways of thinking and learning a new way of life.

It is not about pretending to be perfect. It is about becoming more loving, truthful, patient, gentle and self-controlled through a growing relationship with God.

Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as:

“Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

These qualities cannot be forced through rules alone. They develop as people draw closer to God and allow Him to transform their hearts.

I have learned that when I begin my day with God, pray and seek His guidance, I approach life differently.

I am still learning. It can be difficult to change patterns formed over many years, but I have experienced the difference faith can make.

This is why I believe that a community centred on prayer, Scripture, worship and loving relationships could provide a valuable environment for Christian growth.

Residents would still have personal responsibility and freedom. The community would not control people’s faith or demand perfection.

Instead, it would seek to provide encouragement, teaching, friendship and opportunities to practise Christian life together.

Why Christian Community Matters

Many people enter churches carrying complicated experiences of trauma, addiction, mental-health difficulties or life outside the Christian faith.

Sometimes churches are not fully equipped to understand or support everything a new believer may be facing.

People can attend a weekly service and still feel alone for the rest of the week.

I believe Christian community should involve more than meeting briefly on Sundays. We need opportunities to share meals, pray, study the Bible, serve others and support one another through real life.

Christian Eco Villages could offer a more connected form of fellowship.

Faith would be woven gently into daily life through:

  • Prayer and worship
  • Bible study and discipleship
  • Shared meals
  • Practical service
  • Caring for people in need
  • Supporting one another through difficulties
  • Spending time in God’s creation
  • Learning to forgive and resolve conflict
  • Encouraging people to use their gifts

This would not replace the wider Church. Christian Eco Villages could work alongside churches and Christian organisations, helping residents remain connected to the wider body of Christ.

A Safe and Responsible Community

A Christian community must not rely only on good intentions. It needs safeguarding, accountability, healthy boundaries and responsible leadership.

People experiencing serious addiction or mental-health difficulties would require specialist treatment and support. In time, a well-established village may be able to support some people with more complex needs. However, this would need to happen gradually and responsibly. The aim would always be to protect both vulnerable individuals and the wider community.

How My Story Became a Vision

Looking back, I can see how many parts of my life contributed to this vision:

My professional work showed me the realities of trauma, addiction and social exclusion.

My family’s experience showed me how difficult recovery can be when someone returns to the same harmful conditions.

My own struggles showed me the importance of counselling, healthy relationships and compassionate support.

My conversion showed me the transforming power of faith.

My early difficulties as a Christian showed me the need for consistent discipleship and genuine fellowship.

My growing love for nature showed me how deeply our wellbeing is connected to the environment around us.

Together, these experiences led me to imagine a community where people could live closer to God, one another and creation.

A community where people would not be valued according to their wealth, status, age, health or physical strength.

A place where individuals could feel seen, heard, loved and supported.

A place where faith would be practised in everyday life and where people could contribute according to their abilities.

A place where caring for people and caring for the earth would be understood as connected responsibilities.

A Mission Bigger Than Me

I know that I cannot create Christian Eco Villages on my own.

A project of this scale would require God’s guidance, committed people, professional expertise, prayer, funding and careful planning.

I do not believe I have every answer. I am continuing to learn, and the vision will need to be shaped by people with experience in areas such as housing, safeguarding, finance, community development, sustainability, healthcare and Christian leadership.

I see myself as someone carrying the beginning of a vision rather than someone who can complete it alone.

I believe every person may have something valuable to contribute, whether through prayer, encouragement, professional knowledge, practical skills, partnership or financial support.

The first village may begin modestly, but even a small community could demonstrate something important:

That another/better way of living is possible, the way God intended.

A way rooted in faith rather than fear, cooperation rather than competition, compassion rather than judgement and stewardship rather than careless consumption.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10