Resources include street parties and funding
 Resources for Christian groups and churches include grant funding, help with your New Year detox, plus lots of helpful advice about organising a street lunch or party.
FUNDING
The Friends Provident Foundation makes grants of up to £200,000 to registered charities for projects that address financial exclusion within disadvantaged communities. Grants are available for work that will significantly improve the financial stability of those on a low income by looking at sustainable and innovative debt advice, increased savings, and affordable credit. Requests for capital or revenue funding, core funds or project costs will all be considered. Read about previous applicants, and how to apply. The next application closing date is 11 February 2011.
Gregg Foundation Grants are small grants available for local charities (including churches) which are making a difference to people in need in areas where Greggs operates. Groups working with carers, disabled people, older people and those who are homeless are prioritised. Previous recipients have been involved with identifiable and one-off causes such as trips, activities and equipment. Applications can be submitted at any time. For more information email Greggs Foundation or phone 0191 212 7626.
The Prince’s Trust is administering a new government fund to support projects run by young people to tackle knife crime. The Ben Kinsella fund will offer 50 grants to run positive anti-knife crime activities in areas with high levels of knife crime and serious youth violence in England and Wales (excluding East England). Projects will also be given the assistance of a Prince’s Trust mentor. For more information visit community cash awards or phone 0800 842 842.
EVENTS
What is the Alternative Vote and how does it differ to the current first past the post system? Join Jeremy Vine as chair and high profile members of both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ campaigns and debate the future of our democracy. With a referendum this May the voting system in the UK could change forever, so make sure you have your say! Hosted by Charities Parliament and Faithworks together with Care, Ekklesia, the Evangelical Alliance, the Lib Dem Christian Forum and Livability the event also aims to encourage and resource churches and church leaders to engage with the Alternative Vote Referendum and run their own hustings. Debating Democracy - the Alternative Vote Referendum will be held on 16 February at The Oasis Centre in London from 6.30-8.30. For more information and to reserve your free place, visit Charities Parliament.
If you are keen to get your young people involved in meaningful and creative campaigning on issues of justice, Speak, the network of young adults and students that campaigns and prays around issues of global injustice can help. They are organising Soundcheck11 - Resurrecting hope from 25-27 February in London. With guest speakers Dr Joel Edwards, International Director of Micah Challenge and Andy Freeman, pioneer of 24-7 prayer, the weekend will also include live music, workshops, arts and prayer. Click here for details.
STORIES AND RESOURCES
To increase your energy and improve your work/life balance in 2011 check out The Energy Project's free energy audit. They also suggest some physical, emotional, mental and spiritual tips to help you work better. Christine Sine’s session on the importance of rhythms that restore as well as those that transform at the 2010 Community Mission retreat may also be helpful. Lastly, it might also be a good time to look at living with less stuff and more life, courtesy of Breathe’s Mark Rowley and his new publication Consumer detox.
Restored, the international Christian alliance working to transform relationships and end violence against women has launched a draft Domestic Abuse Church Pack. Covering theological, practical and legal issues, this pack is currently free to download. Restored are keen for churches to trial it to ensure it is as helpful as possible, so read it and feed back over the next couple of months and you can help to shape the document before its formal publication.
You may be considering planning a community event or street party to co-incide with the Royal Wedding or joining in the big lunch this year. It’s never been easier to organise a street event and there’s lots of help available. The legal and administrative red-tape has been streamlined and there is a free comprehensive government guide to organising a street party or fete. You will also find lots of ideas, advice and inspiration at Shared Streets.
 Community Mission is a partnership between Tearfund and Livability. Click here to sign up to future editions of their e-newsletter.
|
