Community mission resources to help churches
 Resources of use to the Christian community include funding, ideas to recruit volunteers, information on setting up a work club and Harvest materials.
FUNDING
Awards for All is a Lottery grants scheme funding small, local community-based projects in the UK with slightly different programmes across the nations. In England it is now possible to apply for up to £10,000 for projects focusing on four areas: improving people’s chances in life, building stronger communities, improving rural and urban environments, and projects leading to healthier and more active people and communities.
Click here to read about the fund online. For more information phone 0845 410 2030 or email The Big Lottery Fund.
Trusthouse Charitable Foundation runs a grants programme helping projects in the UK which address issues in rural communities and areas of urban deprivation. Within these two main headings, they support established projects working in the fields of community support; arts, education and heritage; disability and health care. The deadline for the next grants committee meeting is the end of August. Click here to read about the fund online. For more information phone 020 7264 4990.
BT Community Connections Award offers community groups the chance to get online and help others learn to use digital technology. If your group has a residential or BT business landline and helps the community access the internet and improves people’s ICT skills, you could be eligible to apply for a year’s free broadband. The deadline for this award is 15 September. Click here to read about the fund online. For more information phone 0845 257 6792 or email BT Community Connections.
TRAINING AND EVENTS
The South Asian Forum are running two Asian Mission Partnership Days on 10 September in Elmfield Church Harrow and 26 November at All Nations Christian Centre in Wolverhampton. Each day will include teaching on good practice in reaching South Asians, training on and access to new resources and lots of networking opportunities. For more information email the South Asian Forum on saf@eauk.org
If you run a community project, are facing major cuts and feel you are being asked to run your project on a shoestring – help is at hand. Livability is running two training days looking at Thriving – not just surviving in a time of cuts designed to help you reconnect with and reshape your vision, unearth hidden assets and imagine new ways of operating. The days will be held in Bradford on 21 September and London on 9 November. The cost will be £20 in Bradford and £30 in London. For more information on both days, email Jill Clark, phone 020 7452 2018 or book online for Bradford or London.
Those who lead a charity or have new trustees may want to invest in one or two sessions at the Directory of Social Change Trustee Fair on 29 September. Taking place at the DSC offices in Euston, London, the day offers a masterclass for faith-based charities as well as sessions on measuring the impact of your project, risk assessment, charity finance and a range of legal issues. Sessions start at £25 each and are charged individually with the price going down as the number of sessions booked goes up. Download the conference brochure or book online.
STORIES AND RESOURCES
Getting a job is the single most sustainable route out of poverty. If you’re thinking of expanding your existing involvement or offering new services for the unemployed, this new initiative from Pecan is for you! With many years’ experience in this area, Pecan, in partnership with Tearfund, are now working on offering training and materials to enable churches and community projects across the UK to run employment preparation courses and set up work clubs. They are also looking for help with their research on employment and for churches willing to act as pilot projects. Read more about the project or email Nicola Chappell for more information.
When resources are tight and real volunteers are thin on the ground, maybe it’s time to sign up some virtual or micro volunteers. A variety of networks now exist bringing together professionals in areas like technology and communications who are prepared to give their time and skills - like IT4Communities for example. To find out more download a free guide to setting up a microvolunteering project or register your needs at Do-it and see what happens!
Those looking to celebrate harvest and the environment in a new way this autumn should have a look at Just Food?, a resource pack designed to reclaim a biblical understanding of food and explore ways to bring God’s kingdom values of justice and restored relationships into our lives. The pack cost £11.50 inc p&p and can be purchased online.
 Community Mission is a partnership between Tearfund and Livability. Click here to sign up to future editions of their e-newsletter.
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