Community resources include funding and events

The latest Community Mission news includes funding for church projects, an appeal for Street Pastors at the Olympic Games and community work training events.

FUNDING

YHA Breaks 4 Kids offers funding to groups (including youth charities and churches) organising trips for young people from underprivileged backgrounds. Children under the age of 18 who are entitled to free school dinners or from low-income households qualify to receive 50% of the costs of accommodation and food for the trip. There are many YHA organised activities and many locations where they take place. To apply, contact the hostel manager of the desired location and make a provisional booking. Then, at least eight weeks before the trip, complete the online funding application form. There are no deadlines and applications are responded to within one month. For more information, complete the online form or phone 01629 592 700.

Church Urban Fund’s Mustard Seed Grants scheme offers up to £5,000 to church projects in deprived communities that are working to tackle poverty. Ongoing and core funding is not eligible but community audits, pilot projects, start-up equipment, trustee and volunteer training, evaluation and needs assessments are included. There are no deadlines. Read the guidelines, contact a local regional contact to get advice on whether your project is appropriate and they will provide an application form. Applications will be responded to within one month. For more information, phone 020 7898 1647.

The ACT Foundation provides grants to charities that enhance the quality of life for people in need, especially those focused on mentally and physically disabled people. There are no minimum or maximum grant amounts and funding can be used for building modifications, equipment such as mobility aids and financial assistance for things like short-term respite breaks. There are no application deadlines. Read about previously awarded grants, application guidelines or apply in a letter carefully following the application criteria. For more information, phone 01753 753 900.

Community projects working in the areas of human rights, trafficking and asylum seeker issues, torture and abuse, persecution or prisoners at risk can apply to The Bromley Trust for funding. Most grants awarded are between £5,000 and £20,000. Since their funding is given on an unrestricted basis, applications are made without a requested amount. The list of grants awarded includes several churches and Christian community projects. There are no application deadlines. Read the application criteria, complete an application form or email The Bromley Trust for more information.

The Drapers Charitable Fund offers grants to charities that work with the homeless, people under the age of 25 who are excluded, prisoners, the elderly and disabled adults. Most grants are under £10,000 and applications will be responded to within three weeks. Read the guidelines, complete an application summary sheet or phone 020 7588 5001 for more information.

TRAINING AND EVENTS

Did you know that one in seven adults of working age has a disability and that disabled adults are one of the poorest, most marginalised and isolated groups in your community? To help change this, book onto the joint Livability/Through the Roof event designed to lead to a better understanding of physical and learning disabilities as well as positive, proactive responses to disabled people. Beyond Disability, Creating a more inclusive and enriched church will take place on Wednesday 8 June at the Salvation Army International Headquarters in London and will include teaching and workshops. It costs £30 per person, including a hot lunch, and must be booked online. For more information, email Jill Clark or phone 020 7452 2018.

The URC’s Church Related Community Work unit has teamed up with Staffordshire University to offer a practical, interactive day for anyone interested in transforming communities and local neighbourhoods entitled Community Work & Community Ministry: Looking to the Future. The event will be held on Saturday 18 June at Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent. Keynotes by Ann Morisy and Fran Beckett will be followed by discussion groups on a range of Christian community work issues. The day costs £15 (or £7.50 with concessions) and includes lunch and refreshments. For further information phone 020 7916 8653.

Autumn may seem a long time off but it’s never too soon to book for the annual Livability Community Mission retreat. Love thy Neighbourhood: Creating Christ-like sustainable community work will take place from 19-21 October at Hothorpe Hall. It will be facilitated by Dave Andrews, an inspiring speaker and writer who facilitated a previous event and is back by popular demand. There’ll be lots of practical teaching on community work, plus plenty of space to share and learn from others and time to worship and reflect. If you book now, a single room costs £195 and a shared room £145, but after 30 June, both prices will increase by £20. This event is always fully booked so don’t miss out!

STORIES AND RESOURCES

Following many successful years of training Street Pastors, the next initiative of the Ascension Trust is to encourage training for School Pastors - who work in schools and patrol local hotspots after school finishes. For a general introduction, watch a video about school pastors in Purley, Croydon, and read a Facebook discussion about how it works in another London borough. For information about training and setting up School Pastors in your area email Martin Pointing. Plus, another Olympic opportunity! Street Pastor volunteers are being sought to patrol London during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Interested? Send an email to express interest, with London 2012 in the subject line, giving your home Street Pastor location and the dates you would be available.

If you weren’t feeling depressed before, you may be now! It’s time for Action for Happiness. This national campaign launched recently and, whatever you think about happiness as a goal, we all want to see positive social change. There’s lots of useful research and the 10 keys to happier living would make good hooks for events and activities. There are also specific ideas for taking action in communities. If you’re interested in the topic, read the Joseph Rowntree lecture by Richard Layard, Is a happier society possible?

Community Mission is a partnership between Tearfund and Livability. Click here to sign up to future editions of their e-newsletter.