Universal Credit: How can the church respond?
I have a pet hate of the phrase “on benefits”…
I have a pet hate of the phrase “on benefits”…
Where people find home
How we view those with little money, matters.
St James Muswell Hill providing advice and guidance
Sarah Salisbury shares her experience of founding and running the Brentford Clothes Repair Café, how it has impacted their church community, and how it relates to their Eco Church journey.
Kings X Church talk to us about their recent volunteer training on Universal Credit, organised by the Compassionate Communities Team. How it covered both practical support, and the design of the system as a social justice issue. Resources are now available for other church communities.
As we approach Living Wage Week, consider whether your church or organisation could accredit as a Living Wage Employer as a response to the Cost of Living Crisis
Paul Morrison, policy advisor at Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT), shares why he thinks Warm Banks are important but mustn’t become part of the long term solution to increasing fuel costs.
Brian Cuthbertson, Head of Environment and Sustainability, shares information around the current energy crisis, and a summary of how parishes can save energy and money.
Our friends at Praxis share with us about a recent change to government policy on free school meals, in the hope that our church and school communities can help more families in poverty to access this provision.
Bekah Legg, CEO of Restored, helps us to consider the impact of the cost of living crisis on those experiencing domestic abuse and how we as churches can support survivors.
Mother Alice Smith, vicar at St John the Evangelist, Brownswood Park, describes how Acts 435 has helped her to provide practical help to her parishioners.
Some thoughts from Revd David Ackerman, Vicar of St Johns Kensal Town, as they consider how they might offer their local church as a “Warm Space” this winter
Elizabeth Welch is involved in the “Your Local pantry” set up in Westbourne Park Baptist church - a longer term alternative to foodbanks for those on low incomes who are struggling with food insecurity.
A few resources and ideas for churches as we consider the cost of living crisis and how it will impact our communities
Gloria Saffrey-Powell and her team at CARIS Haringey are providing much more than food parcels to families on the edge in their local community.
In 2019, Revd Nick Mottershead set up “The Hygiene Bank - Square Mile” in response to the rising issue of hygiene poverty in London. Not wanting to stop there, he is also encouraging corporate partners to upcycle their redundant resources through the “GenerosCity” initiative.
One church in East London has saved its budget and its congregation thousands of pounds, as well as tackling climate change- through “Switch Days” for energy bills.
Could your church do the same?
Tim Thorlby, who runs the first church-founded cleaning company to pay workers a Living Wage, asks how we might rebuild a society post Covid-19 that’s better for our key workers
Rev Alice Whalley reflects on what she thought lockdown might mean for her parish and what the reality has been, which has meant feeding a lot of people
a 25 minute video with Bishop Joanne Grenfell and Alison Tsang, Capital Mass, talking about how churches can respond in this time of financial struggles for many
We have put together a 2-hour webinar and online resource library covering the basics of what churches and community leaders can do to help people in financial crisis due to the Coronavirus
At St Pauls Hounslow West, listening to God and their community has meant they have grown an extraordinary “ordinary” community cafe, to meet the needs of the parish they serve. Here is the story of it.
When a team from the Hackney Parish came to a session on how they could respond to Universal Credt, it ended up meaning they took a very brave step: Talking about money with the whole congregation- on a Sunday morning!
Thursday 09 November 2023, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
2 hour informal information session with Ruth Rice.
Find out more about setting up a simple wellbeing space in your church and meet others already renewing wellbeing. And have a cuppa and cake!
Tuesday 20th June 2023, 1-2pm
Discovering how churches can access fast financial help for those in hardship through the Acts 435 charity.
Tuesday 16th May 2023, 1-2pm
Raising awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking, and exploring how to detect the signs in foodbanks and warm spaces.
Tuesday 18th April 2023
Exploring hygiene poverty in London, and how church communities can get involved in helping to bring an end to hygiene poverty.
Tuesday 21st March 2023
A discussion around the sustainability of foodbanks, possible alternatives and the potential for community building. Ending with Q&A.
Tuesday 21st February 2023
A simple guide to grants available to churches in relation to the cost of living crisis, including for warm spaces. Ending with Q&A.
Monday 28th November 2022, 7.00-9.30pm
An evening training event for anyone in a Diocese of London church community looking to understand more about how you can support Universal Credit applications.
Thursday 17th November 2022, 12.30-1.30pm
Join us for a 1 hour “lunch and learn” on all you need to know about the Real Living Wage!
Wednesday 28th September, 7.30-8.30pm
If you’re considering opening up your church/building as a ‘warm space’ this winter, do join our friends at the Warm Welcome Campaign for their launch event to hear more about the campaign and to hear stories about what organisations across the country are planning.
Weekly on Thursdays, 10am-11am
A weekly coffee and catch up for anyone who offers help to people around money and debt to people in their communities. A place to chat, network and just have a breather. Drop in whenever you can! Zoom Link here
Wednesday 27th January
An hour zoom meeting to find out more about running “Energy Switch Days” in your church. A simple way to help people save money &transfer to renewable energy tariff; it also helps your church!
This event is hosted by The Fair Energy Campaign, with Citizens UK, Tearfund & Compassionate Communities.
Wed 7th October 6pm-7pm
Find out how to become an “Acts 435” church so you can give to anyone who’s in desperate financial need
Tuesday 6th October, 11am-12pm
How the church can help people apply for Universal Credit and support those navigating the benefit system
Thursday 1st October, 2pm-3pm
Setting up local savings clubs as part of church life, connecting with your local credit union and encouraging a culture of saving
Tuesday 29th September, 8pm-9pm
How church can raise awareness of illegal lending and what you can do about it
Thursday 24th September, 11am-12pm
Exploring how your church or deanery could offer free debt and money advice at a time when so many are in financial crisis
Tuesday 22nd September, 8pm-9pm
how to run budgeting training & money courses in your church & community
Thursday 17th September, 6pm-7pm
Join us for a talk from Right Rev Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington on what the bible has to say about how we manage our money, individually and collectively as a society; followed by group discussion
Wed 16th September, 11am-12pm
Exploring how church can foster a culture of talking about money, and the link between money and our mental health
Did you know?
— Compassionate Communities (@CompCommunities) May 22, 2023
We've created some simple resources for churches on accrediting to be #LondonLivingWage employers.
As part of our worship and witness, if you already pay the Living Wage- why not let people know by accrediting?
start the journey here: https://t.co/rdnVNK3SA8 pic.twitter.com/OmqN6dJ0ZF
