Chichester Deanery celebrates £10K award to provide warm spaces
Chichester Deanery Synod celebrates after receiving £10,000 in National Lottery funding to look after their various communities during these hard times and specifically to fund activities in warm spaces in our churches.
Chichester Deanery Synod, a group of churches in West Sussex, is celebrating today after being awarded £10,000 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.
It plans to use the funding to look after various communities during these hard times and specifically to fund activities in warm spaces in our churches.
This new National Lottery funding will ensure that we continue to work together to look after the marginalised, elderly, refugees, poor families, youths, and young people especially those struggling with their well being and mental health issues due to the pandemic and rising costs of living, thereby playing our part in community development where sustainable communities are created and supported, and rural poverty is eradicated.
This project will be for all the community. It will offer residents an improved mental health and boost the morale of both residents and volunteers.
Revd Martha Weatherill, Rural Dean of Chichester said: “Chichester Deanery churches are working in partnership with Chichester Churches Together to ensure that three are enough warm spaces for people to come together in the colder months.
“Churches across Chichester will be able to continue to offer hot food and activities thanks to this grant.
This grant means we can provide a much-needed service and make a big difference to people’s lives.
Some examples of what churches plan to offer:
Donnington Village Luncheons offering sumptuous 2-course lunches on the second Thursday of each month at the Village Hall. For more details give Valerie a ring on 01243 786957.
St Pancras in the city centre will be hosting a Craft group – bring your own craft, free coffee/drinks: every Tuesday 10.00am until 12.00om. Bring your knitting, needlework, art, papercraft or other projects and do them with others. It is also a great opportunity to get some advice if you're learning a new skill . Also, free monthly Friday family film nights.
St Paul’s Church will be open and kept warm : every day 9.00am until 5.00pm. The parish centre willb e open for tea and coffee: Mon – Fri 9.00am until 12.00pm. Tea, coffee, cake, followed by free soup lunch will be on Thursdays (during term time) – from 10.30am
From November
Every Saturday the Harbour Churches will be supporting open mornings with free coffee/tea/ biscuits with advice available on how to make ends meet at St James Centre.
A warm space initiative is being set up by Hunston Parish Council, The Hunston Community Club and the church to offer a light lunch, sandwiches or soup. It will begin 2nd November 10-4pm at The Hunston Community Club on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Beginning in January
Saturday Brunch at St Nicholas Lavant: Every first Saturday of the month at St Nicholas 9:30am -11:30am (beginning in January 2023)
There are lots of churches getting involved and you can find out more by checking the church websites or A Church Near You website https://www.achurchnearyou.com/
During the pandemic, in 2020 alone, The National Lottery Community Fund distributed almost £1 billion to charities and community organisations across the UK.
National Lottery players raise over £30 million a week for good causes across the UK. The National Lottery Community Fund distributes a share of this to projects to support people and communities to prosper and thrive.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk