Wanted: local heroes

http://www.eauk.org/articles/inspire-awards-2011.cfm

Every day we hear great stories about people, churches and projects across the UK making a difference because of their Christian faith. We love to tell these stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things - because they inspire us. And we hope they inspire you, too.

Now we want to celebrate those who are really making a difference in their communities. So the Evangelical Alliance has teamed up with Inspire Magazine to relaunch the Inspire Awards. We want to hear of your unsung local heroes that make a difference to the lives they touch.  MORE

Bishop blasts cuts

 

• Bishop blasts cuts

The Bishop of Blackburn

Published on Friday 22 April 2011 08:47

Lancashire's leading Anglican clergyman will launch a scathing attack on Government cuts and calls for people to pull together to help those badly affected.

In his Easter Sunday address, the Bishop of Blackburn the Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, calls for a "reforming resurrection" to help those "wounded" by Government policies.

MORE

Nigeria :: : We need prayers

This is a bit unusual for our group but Tim from Foxton has asked us to
share this concern as it comes via a known and reputable contact of one of
the students on placement there.

There is more news about the situation in Nigeria at
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i414fUgx4Yr30LnSt0gpMDUMpndQ?docId=fb98dab5c32d48a48d7fa35d9da98bbc

-----Original Message-----
From: ronald ibegbuna [mailto:ibefam2003@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: 19 April 2011 16:19
To: tim.keightley@thefoxtoncentre.co.uk
Subject: We need prayers

Dear sir,
sending this mail to you...am doing so barricaded in my own for fear of
being killed by the Muslims. Please i beg of you to pray for this nation of
ours which is experiencing religious cleansing by the Muslims on innocents
Christians in the northern part of Nigeria following the outcome of the
presidential elections.Thank you sir.

Xchange April 2011 from Church Urban Fund: lots of useful information

 

April 2011 edition
» Training | » Resources | » Funding | » Good Practice
Training
The Living Wage and the Role of the Church - 24th May - London Church Urban Fund and Church Action on Poverty are jointly organising a half-day workshop on the Living Wage and the role of the Church, which is being held at London Diocesan House (10am-2pm, including lunch). "Our aim is to gather, inspire and challenge church leaders and others to promote the Living Wage in their own churches and the wider community." (Niall Cooper, National Coordinator, CAP) Guest speakers will include: Jerold Waltman (Baylor University, Texas), Deborah Littman (Unison and Vice-Chair of the London Living Wage Campaign), The Revd Dr Angus Ritchie (Director of the Contextual Theology Centre) and Dr Paul Morrison (Policy Advisor with the Joint Public Issues Team for the Baptists/ Methodists/ URC.) For further details and to register for this free event, please go to: http://livingwagechurch.eventbrite.com or e-mail Tom Sefton at CUF (tom.sefton@cuf.org.uk).
Shalom - 1st-2nd September - Birmingham The Shalom gatherings bring together youth workers for a 24 hour event to learn, listen, share, and chat that will inspire, encourage and re-energize youth workers to continue living and working with young people. This year's theme will look what is means to be youth workers who Act Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly. The Keynote speakers are Pip Wilson, Jill Rowe, Nick Shepherd & Andy Burns. To find out more and to book, take a look at the website.
Practical Impact 2011 - Notes and Handouts On 6th April, we had over 200 community workers, project managers and church leaders at Friends House, Euston for CUF's annual conference, Practical Impact 2011. We've uploaded handouts and presentations on our website.
Resources
CUF Online Training - 5 Day Free Trial We recognise that many people trying to make a difference in their community would appreciate some training - either themselves or for the whole team to improve knowledge and skills. This is why we offer a range of web-based learning and resources that are easy to use and flexible so you can do them in your own time, without the need for time out of the office. Our training is affordable, economical and effective. You can also register for a 5 day free trial. The CUF Online Training enables you, and your staff team or entire management committee to access a growing range of high quality training programmes and resources. • Access is open anytime, anywhere. • Provides outstanding value and convenience. • One annual subscription means the whole team – you, your staff, your management committee or PCC - can benefit. • Subjects covered range from an introduction to fundraising, effective governance and time management to health and safety and first aid. For more details and to register visit www.cufonline.org.uk.
At the Cutting Edge: A Survey of the Impact of the Spending Cuts This report summarises the results of a special survey carried out by Church Urban Fund and Church Action on Poverty to monitor the impact of the public spending cuts on faith-based voluntary groups in the most deprived areas of England. Undertaken in January 2011, the aim is to get beyond the headline numbers - an £81 billion reduction in government expenditure over four years - to how this is impacting at a grassroots level, through the eyes of project leaders who are working with some of the most marginalised people in our society.
Acts 435 Acts 435 is an innovative resource available to churches to tackle poverty and help those in need. As churches find people in their local community with small but significant needs such as school uniform for the children or a replacement washing machine, they can post them online where donors can give directly and know their gift is making a real difference. We are looking for more churches to participate – it's free, simple and effective – see the website or contact admin@acts435.co.uk for more details.
Pilotlight Pilotlight enables small, ambitious charities and social enterprises to help a greater number of people, more effectively. They have a significant impact on people's lives from children with learning disabilities to isolated older people and are currently helping over 80 charities who tackle issues such as crime, drug abuse and homelessness. They achieve this by matching and managing teams of senior business people, 'Pilotlighters', with local charities and social enterprises that are tackling social disadvantage in the UK. The teams coach the charities through the process of planning for growth, development and sustainability. Pilotlight encourages business leaders to volunteer their time in a way that uses their professional skills in just three hours a month. If you're interested, take a look at the website and complete a charity application form.
IMD Scores for 2010 The new Indices of Multiple Deprivation scores (IMD) have been published on the Neighbourhood Statistics website. These statistics are really useful for analysing poverty issues in your area, and to support funding applications. Type your postcode into the neighbourhood summary box on the right hand side.
Funding
Health and Belief 2011 Health and Belief is a grant programme funded jointly by Church Urban Fund, London Catalyst and Wakefield and Tetley Trust to support faith-based community projects in tackling poverty and health inequalities in London. One year grants are available up to £10,000 - closing date 31st May 2011.
The Clothworkers Company The Clothworkers foundation fund one-off grants for capital costs for UK registered charities with an annual turnover of under £10m. The capital costs include building purchase and renovation, equipment (including IT hardware), and vehicles. Applications the the main grants programme and small grants programme must fall under one of the following areas: - Encouragement of young people - Social Inclusion - Elderly - Disability - Visual impairment The website provides further information
William A Cadbury Charitable Trust This trust is particularly interested in social welfare projects based in Birmingham and the West Midlands. It also considers nationally, projects working with offenders and ex-offenders. Have a look at the website to find out more.
Good Practice
Churches Response to Homelessness Find out ideas, reflections and resources on how churches can get more involved in supporting people struggling with homelessness.  This has been taken from a recent event run by the Urban Priority Area Group in Oxford Diocese.
Christian Response to Unemployment Many people are affected by and responding to recession, high unemployment and part-time working. Chelmsford diocese do a lot of work in this area and have published their findings and resrouces on the Chelmsford diocese website. Take a look at the website to get some ideas about what might work in your church and local community.
(c) Church Urban Fund 2010 Church Urban Fund, Church House, 27 Great Smith Street, LONDON SW1P 3AZ Phone: 020 7898 1667  Registered charity number 297483 Church Urban Fund is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in Cardiff; no. 2138994

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Excellent Web resource on Christian rseponse to Unemployment

Many people are affected by and responding to recession, high unemployment and part-time working

 

http://www.chelmsford.anglican.org/unemployment

 

Chelmsford Diocese offers an active ministry to all those who are unemployed, and to their families and communities... An inspiration and challenge to Preston?

Community Befrienders P/T Job opportunity with Help Direct

 

Are you looking for an exciting, rewarding new opportunity?

 Would you enjoy supporting people in making positive changes to their lives?

 

We are seeking to recruit positive, enthusiastic, people who are able to work flexibly with individuals in the community.

 

Help Direct Community Befrienders    

£6.47p per hour

 

Staff will be employed on a zero hour contract allowing

flexible working arrangements

 

Applicants must be able to demonstrate;

 

• An ability to work with people in an informal way, gaining mutual trust and respect.
• Good interpersonal and customer facing skills
• Ablity to work on your own as well as with members of staff
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Ablility to display empathy, patience and politeness under pressure

 

Due to the nature of the posts a Criminal Records Bureau check will be required prior to appointment.

 

For an application pack and job description please contact 01772 552850 or email:help@55plus.org.uk

For further details or an informal discussion please contact the Help Direct Manager, Melissa Cartwright on 0303 333 1030

 

Closing date for applications: Monday 3^rd May 2011, 12.00 noon.

Interviews to be held week commencing: Tuesday 17^th / Wednesday 18^th May 2011

 

Anybody know of loan sharks locally that need exposing?

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Church Action on Poverty campaigns

To: credoconsultancy@maister-smith.fsnet.co.uk

Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 11:06 AM

Subject: Apology: now it's easier to speak out about the legal loan sharks in Preston!

Now it's easier to speak out about the legal loan sharks in Preston!

There is growing anger that thousands of low-income families are being charged 500% APR for credit - and sometimes much more.

We've set up a special web page so you can quickly and easily write to the letters page of your local newspaper to raise this issue.

This country is unusual in that credit companies can charge whatever they want as long as there are people desperate enough or with few choices. Contrast this with the USA, Canada, France, Germany and many other countries which have legal ceilings to protect consumers from extortionate lending.

For too long, the legal loan sharks in the UK have won the argument about the risks of legal caps on the total cost of credit. Earlier this year, over 400 MPs voted for the new finance regulator (the Financial Conduct Authority) to look seriously into the issue. And 150 of these MPs weren't satisfied to wait for next year when the new body is set up for low-income customers to get the protection which citizens in much of Europe and North America already have. 

Oh, and Stella Creasy MP, who initiated the debate, especially thanked all the activists who took part!
  
To help raise awareness of this issue in your area, I wonder if you could spend a few minutes writing to your local newspaper's letters page. Please visit our special web page now - it will find the details for your local paper, and give you some ideas of what you can write. 

With best wishes

Alan Thornton, Campaigns Coordinator


Notes

1. We are focusing on capping the total cost of credit rather than annual percentage rates. This ensures that the caps set do not distort the market, and that lenders cannot avoid them by applying high administration fees or repayment charges.
2. The End Legal Loan Sharks campaign has the support of Church Action on Poverty, MPs, charities and trade unions.
3. The Doorstep Robbery report explains in great detail why we need caps on the total cost of credit and how this legislation can work.

---

What we are about

Church Action on Poverty works with church and community groups across the UK to make tackling poverty a priority. Our work involves: educating churches about poverty in the UK; enabling people in poverty to speak for themselves; working for policies to eradicate poverty; promoting reflection and action for social justice.


Church Action on Poverty contact details
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Tel: 0161 236 9321 Fax: 0161 237 5359

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Church Action on Poverty is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales with number 3780243. Charity Number 1079986. 

PCAN's CROSS OVER VOLUNTEERING BULLETIN: Feedback Please

We are thinking of producing a 3^rd Edition of PCAN's CROSS OVER VOLUNTEERING BULLETIN to distribute in the period after Easter..

So far we have done two editions the first one mainly electronic, and the second which we were able to print and distribute around local churches (thanks to a generous donation to cover printing costs).

Before we put together a third edition Phil Moore and I would quite like to get some feedback about the bulletin… We have recruited lots of volunteers for the homeless drop in sessions at Central Methodist Church, some of whom have seen the bulletin, but we are not sure whether other churches and projects that asked us to publicise volunteering opportunities have had much of a response, and whether Christians in Preston and South Ribble are going to respond to opportunities for voluntary service beyond their own local church setting. If we are going to continue putting effort into this volunteering exchange scheme we want to do it really well and make it as effective as possible.

So if you do have any thoughts on the bulletin so far we'd be really grateful if you could drop us a quick email with feedback about the bulletin and its impact and how we could improve the service. For example your views on these questions would be helpful:

• Is the concept of a crossover volunteering exchange service for the local churches a good one?
• Is a quarterly bulletin a good way of doing it or would circulating emails or blogging needs and opportunities as they arise be better?
• Do we need paper versions or is an electronic version of the bulletin sufficient?
• Have you already got lots of volunteers serving the community within the regular work of your church or project? If so could we help you support them with training opportunities or in other ways?
• Do you have needs for general or specific highly skilled volunteers who we could try to find for you?

Finally if you have projects coming up or regular activities that need more volunteers over the spring and summer, please get the information to us and we will circulate it around the network of churches in the next bulletin going out in May.

PCAN (Chair) Greg Smith pcan@maister-smith.fsnet.co.uk

Phone no. 01772 827987