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Partnerships & MissionAnnual Report 2019www.southwell.anglican.org
The past year has been
one marked by
transition, uncertainty
and anxiety for individuals,
communities and countries.
“Will we or won’t we leave the
EU” rumbled on for another
year and sadly the uncertainty
provided opportunity for those
wanting to focus on difference
and division. Speaking
positively and hopefully into
this space is something the
church is called to lead on;
senior diocesan staff, the
Partnerships and Mission
Team, parishes, and
individuals continue to engage
with the Faith Leaders’ Group,
Near Neighbours projects, the
Multi Agency Forum on
Refugees and Asylum
Seekers, Black Pastors Prayer
Breakfasts, also providing
homes for refugees, and
raising awareness about
modern slavery.
Caring for the needs of
children and young people
means the church engages
with holiday hunger breakfast
clubs, fostering initiatives –
the 100 homes campaign
continuing with the City
Council and the first
information evenings working
with the County and District
Councils - the work of Safe
Families for Children, the
County Life Chances Working
Group and The Nottingham
Financial Resilience
Partnership.
Loneliness is a major cause of
anxiety and the diocese is
engaging with
Nottinghamshire Rural
Support, Mental Health
Awareness Guides, the City
Council Age Friendly Steering
Group, and Places of
Welcome. We also launched
the Bishop’s Lent Appeal
Addressing Loneliness, while
countless coffee mornings,
toddler groups and lunch clubs
are held every day.
Anxiety about the planet’s
future has impacted us all.
More churches are engaging
with A Rocha’s eco-church
initiative and working towards
becoming better stewards of
God’ beautiful creation.
As I write this we are all trying
to come to terms with the
impact of Covid 19 and the
anxiety and uncertainty we all
face.
Hope rediscovered is
desperately needed and “theChristian gospel is aboutrestoration and renewal andresurrection. And it is rooted inan understanding of the worldas a gift of God’s creative love,dependent on God’s promiseand faithfulness, held in beingby God’s Wisdom, energizedby God’s Spirit, and lived outin the witness of thecommunity of Christ’s people”. Taken from Hope Rediscovered:
Biblical wisdom for an anxious world
by David Atkinson
David McCoulough
Director of Partnerships &
Mission
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:Homelessness 2Partnership Networks 5Workplace Chaplaincy 8Citizens 10Diversity and Equality 12Transforming NottsTogether 16Refugee Roots 17Environment 23
Rediscovering our hope
G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
Homelessness andWinter Shelters
In last year’s annual report
we told the story of a
homeless man called Ben
who died rough sleeping near
St Swithun’s Church
Retford�shockingly once
again this year another
homeless man, 52-year-old
Valerij Tichormirov, died
sleeping rough in Nottingham
city centre in an alleyway next
to the Hilton Hotel on 19th
November 2019, when
temperatures plummeted to
minus two degrees Celsius.
Despite even more emergency
accommodation being
provided under special winter
measures, there are still 30 to
40 people sleeping rough in
the city centre each night. The
stark reality is that
homelessness and rough
sleeping continue to rise locally
and nationally.
Take a walk through the city
and towns around the Diocese
and the increase in
homelessness is there for all to
see. Many of us want to help,
and this year we produced a
guide for churches, faith and
community groups on practical
and safe ways to assist a
homeless caller seeking help.
There are also lots of
opportunities to volunteer in
churches and Christian-run
projects which play a key role
in tackling the damaging
effects of homelessness and
rough sleeping. Projects and
winter night shelters in
Mansfield, Bassetlaw and
Nottingham continued to be on
the frontline – literally offering
a lifeline to countless
vulnerable people.
Based in churches, these
winter shelters are run by both
paid staff and hundreds of
amazing volunteers who live
out their discipleship by being
alongside some of the most
marginalized people you could
ever meet. These projects and
volunteers love and serve
others in the way of Jesus.
The shelters are based mainly
in Church Halls and provide a
safe, welcoming place to stay,
2
30 to 40people still sleep
rough in the city
centre each night
offering a warm snack/meal, a
bed for the night and breakfast
in the morning with the offer of
help with a range of other
support needs including
physical and mental health
support.
Nottingham Winter Shelter, for
example, is recognised as
having some of the most
successful “move-on’s” (i.e.
secure supported
accommodation outcomes) for
guests across the city, which
is due to the dedication of
volunteers and staff and the
partnerships and holistic
approach developed across
the city.
We’re indebted to six
churches who generously
shared their premises with the
Shelter during the 2018-19
season: St. Saviour’s in The
Meadows; Thomas Helwys
Baptist Church; St.
Christopher’s, Sneinton; The
Arches, Trent Vineyard;
Mansfield Road Baptist
Church; and the Friends
Meeting House, Clarendon
Street.
Some Stats from
Nottingham Winter Shelter
Ran for a total of 26 weeks
from 8th October 2018 to 8th
April 2019
The Shelter afforded 3,182
nights protection from the
winter weather, for a total of
146 guests, of whom 21 were
women, who spent an
average of 22 nights in the
shelter. The longer average
stay reflects the more limited
options available to an
increasingly non-British
population.
Reasons people offered for
needing the Winter Shelter:
relationship breakdown 26%;
Eviction 26%; poor mental
health 28%; No income 16%;
recent institutional discharge
(prison or hospital) 18%;
Support Needs: disability 38%;
mental health 28%; Offending
23%; Substance misuse 20%
Case Study - Stan
“When you saw me the first
time and registered me for the
shelter I was very on edge.
My mental health was very
bad, and I had been sleeping
in the cemetery next to my
daughter’s grave. I was ready
to end my life. I had never
been homeless before and
didn’t know what to do. The
staff at the shelter were lovely
when I arrived the first night. I
knew everyone else was in the
same situation. Over time I3
Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
Nottingham
Winter Shelter
afforded
3,182nights protection
from the winter
weather
Nottingham
Winter Shelter ran
for a total of 26weeks
got to know the staff at the
shelter and at Emmanuel
House and I started to feel at
ease. Staff came with me to
Housing Aid and to the YMCA.
I would not have coped with
the appointments on my own.
I felt totally out of my depth.
The support was great. I am
now housed at the YMCA and
have settled in very well. My
mental health has improved to
such an extent that I am on a
volunteering project with
NonSuch theatre which is
brilliant. Because of the
improvement in my mental
health I am back in touch with
my sister who was estranged
from me before I got your help.
I can now talk about my
daughter without breaking
down. I have started to write
poetry again which is a good
release of pent up feelings.”
Nottingham Night Shelter
April – November 2019
This is the first year in which
we have been able to operate
a night shelter during the
summer months based in the
same local churches. This has
been possible because of
funding made available to us
by Nottingham City Council
from a Rapid Rehousing
Pathway grant, part of the
government’s commitment to
halve rough sleeping by 2022
and end it by 2027.
The Nottingham Night Shelter
ran as a separate project for
31 weeks from 8th April to 11th
November covering the period
when the Winter Shelter would
normally be closed. It afforded
4,370 nights’ shelter for a total
of 130 guests (29 women) who
spent an average of 33 nights.
The most prominent need was
mental health problems at
28%; followed by money
issues at 26%.
Partnerships in
Homelessness
Sector/Preventative Work
Christian projects continue to
work alongside voluntary
sector homeless charities,
meeting regularly at
Nottingham Homelessness
Voluntary Sector Forum.
The Council sees the new
Forum as an essential part of
their strategy to tackle
homelessness and rough
sleeping (in delivering and
prevention). The City convenes
the Statutory Homelessness
Strategy Implementation
Group (SIG) - an essential
inter-agency meeting involving
a number of partners. The
Diocese is represented on the
SIG and presents
issues/concerns/
ways of working together on
4G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
Guests and their stay at the two Shelters
Nottingham Night
Shelter ran for a
total of 31weeks
Nottingham Night
Shelter afforded
4,370nights shelter
5
behalf of the strong faith
network in the city which
includes Nottingham’s Faith
Leaders Network (chaired by
the Bishop of Sherwood);
Faith Action Nottingham (FAN)
(a network of over 40
Christian projects tackling
poverty and homelessness in
a range of practical ways/
range of church traditions and
denominations - all rooted in
Kingdom Values).
Raising Money - CEO Sleep
Out
On World Homelssness Day -
on 10th October 2019 – over
60 business and community
and faith leaders slept by the
pitch at Meadow Lane, home
of Notts County FC to raise
funds and awareness to help
people experiencing
homelessness across the city.
Both Nottingham Winter
Shelter and the Friary Drop-In
were beneficiaries of the event
which was a great success
with many of the participants
being inspired by a talk by a
homeless man of what it’s
really like to be on the streets.
A massive thank you to all
who took part raising £47,800.
Refugees and Asylum
Seekers
MAF(Multi Agency Forum) is
a partnership between
Nottingham City Council, local
refugee charities and housing
providers (including the Home
Office’s Approved
Accommodation Provider
recently changed from Group
4GS to SERCO). The Diocese
is represented (Liam is the
Link Officer) and all partners
are working with asylum
seekers and refugees to help
them settle into Nottingham
and access the services they
need. The Forum enables
partners to know how many
asylum seekers are in the city
and county (over 900),
including the UNHCR
Resettlement of Syrian
Refugees – 71 families
housed across the city and
county. These numbers do not
include destitute asylum
seekers who either sleep
rough, or sofa surf with
friends, or are housed at
projects like Nottingham
Arimathea Trust.
Support network for churches
supporting refugees and
asylum seekers started in
partnership with Transforming
Notts Together.
Near Neighbours
This is Government funded
and administered via Church
Urban Fund (CUF). Working in
Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
£47,800was raised in the CEO
Sleep Out
Over 60business,
community and
faith leaders slept
by the pitch at
Meadow Lane
71asylum and
refugee families were
housed across the city
and county
partnership with St Philip’s
Centre, it initiated many
different interfaith projects
across the city in 2019,
enhancing community
cohesion by bringing together
people who are neighbours so
that they get to know each
other better, build
relationships of trust and join
together in projects that
improve the local community.
Liam is the Link Officer for
Near Neighbours. He is also a
member of the Diocesan
Faith’s Engagement Group,
attends the Faith Leaders’
meetings and is the link
person with One Nottingham’s
Faith’s Advocate.
Modern Slavery
Tricked, Trapped, Traded -
Survivors of Modern Day
Slavery tell stories of being
sold a better life, only to
discover they are forced to
work with little or no pay with
the threat of violence hanging
over them or their families
back home. Some victims
may paint our nails, some may
wash our cars, some pick the
fruit and veg we eat, some are
‘live-in household help’, and
some are even forced to sell
their bodies for sex. This is the
reality for a suspected
136,000 victims of modern
slavery in the UK today.
Cases of Modern Day Slavery
occur in urban, suburban and
rural contexts.
Over the last year in
Nottingham 80 people were
identified as potential victims -
cases have been reported and
prosecuted from Aspley to
Chilwell as well as further out
into rural areas.
Every day local churches
support people through
outreach projects like
foodbanks, debt centres,
homeless drop-ins, and,
throughout the colder months,
Winter Night Shelters, and it’s
possible we’ll come across
victims of Modern Day
Slavery.
It’s vital that we are able to
recognise the signs and know
what to do about it as this may
be the only chance a
vulnerable individual has of
being rescued.
As a Diocese we continue to
work in partnership with The
6G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
CALL THE MODERN SLAVERY
HELPLINE 08000 121 700
OR CONTACT:-
NAME:
NUMBER:
80people were
identified as potential
victims of modern
slavery in Nottingham
136,000suspected victims of
modern slavery in the
UK today
Church of England’s Clewer
Initiative which equips us to
train churches and faith-led
projects on how to notice, spot
the signs and care for victims.
In June, more than 40 people
attended one of the training
sessions at St Mary’s Church
in the Lace Market, and in
November more than 60
people went along to an
evening at St Nic’s in
Nottingham.
Freedom Sunday on 20
October 2019 presented the
opportunity to raise awareness
and encouraged prayer for
victims and ways we can all
act, including using the Safe
Car Wash App
https://www.slaveryfreenotts.
com/
Over the last year a group
called Faith Action Nottingham
(FAN) Slavery-Free Notts has
been formed to envision the
Church in Nottingham to stand
united against slavery in our
communities. This means
standing for the freedom of
those who are navigating life
after being enslaved, and
standing for the protection of
those who are vulnerable to
becoming victims.
We work with Victim Support
Projects and other frontline
charities and the Diocese (and
The Faith Leaders Network) is
represented by Liam on The
Nottingham City Modern
Slavery Forum (made up of
frontline charities e.g. British
Red Cross/ Ashiana/ The
Salvation Army/
GLA/Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire Refugee
Forum/Community Relations
Team, Nottingham City
Council).
The Diocese (represented by
Liam) is a member of The
Nottingham and
Nottinghamshire Anti-Slavery
Partnership (a strategic
partnership between the city,
county and boroughs, police,
Gang Masters Licensing
Association).
If you suspect slavery is
happening, or to discuss any
concerns and get advice,
telephone The Modern
Slavery Helpline: 08000
121700. 7Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
More than
40people
attended a training
session at St Mary’s
Church, Nottingham
More than
60people
attended an evening
at St Nics, Nottingham
8G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
Reaching the working world
of Nottingham
Wider
• We already have a broad
reach into the business and
working community - over 30
operational sites of 20
businesses. Their ‘trades’ are
wide reaching and diverse,
Nottingham City Transport to
Browne Jacobson Solicitors,
John Lewis to the East
Midlands Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), Notts YMCA
to the offices of
Nottinghamshire County
Council
• It is difficult to calculate how
many people can access the
Chaplaincy directly – but NCT
has over 600 bus drivers
alone, Capital One has over
1,000 staff at their Nottingham
site, and the County Council
has many thousands of
employees across the county.
• This year saw us invited
into three more diverse
establishments: Experian; The
University of Law (not to be
confused with the University of
Nottingham Law School) – a
private training organisation
which opened in Nottingham
in September 2019; Maber
Architects in the Lace Market
– perhaps notably as they
were the ones who conceived
Jubilee House
• The launch of ‘Town
Chaplaincy’ in Beeston –
hosted by St John’s Beeston
parish church. A broader
reach than simply workplace
chaplaincy. Simply putting the
church on the street in a
visible and approachable way.
Already partnering with the
local business and community
groups
Younger
• A number of the businesses
we visit have a distinctively
younger work force – Capital
Workplace Chaplaincy10 volunteer
workplace/town
centre chaplains
across the diocese
9Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
One in particular deliberately
attracting the under 30s to their
hi-tech business as it offers
excellent training and travel
possibilities. Chaplaincy sees
the whole spectrum of life
circumstances and the
challenge is to keep our
response flexible and
appropriate to each generation
• The new Chaplaincy visiting
at the University of Law is
another very young
organisation. Both students
and lecturers alike are
grappling with a new city and a
very intense approach to study
• Completion of the first LICC
‘Young Leaders Toolbox’ held
in conjunction with the YLC –
this was the pilot both for
young leaders and sessions
outside of London. This
course is now being delivered
as part of the national
programme
Deeper
• We continue as a team to
join in with the excellent
teaching and encouragement
from Derby Diocese Workplace
Chaplaincy
• 2019 was a time of
conceiving and planning with
city churches to deliver
workshops and lectures for
2020, both in St Mary’s and St
Peter’s churches focusing on
living out the Christian faith in
the increasingly stressful
workplace of the 21st Century
• Monthly lunchtime prayer for
the staff at the YMCA has
begun. Anticipating six or so –
delighted when 15 came and
the numbers continue to grow.
Some people of little or no faith
too
• Unexpected redundancy at
one legal company showed
many how fragile their career
is – another opportunity to offer
prayer for the future
• Annual Workers’ Memorial
this time held at St Mary’s – a
time to remember and pray for
those who have died during
the course of their work.
Strengthening links with the
HSE and the civic leaders of
the city and suburbs
• Sadly the sudden deaths of
members of staff have marked
this year. Whilst dreadfully sad
and shocking I am told that
having a Chaplain allows the
staff to mourn. It gives us an
opportunity to share the hope
and love of Christ
Chaplains visit
workplaces with
almost
15,000employees
10G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
‘Building the power of
communities to work
together for justice and the
common good’
Our three county-wide
campaigns continued into
2019 with lay and clergy
taking leadership roles;
• Mental Health. Co-
producing a session with
Nottinghamshire Healthcare
NHS Foundation Trust to
tackle MH stigma
• Young People. Working
with Nottingham City
Transport on concessionary
fares for families who cannot
afford access to the city
• Work and Wages. The
campaign is tackling the root
causes of poverty,
encouraging employers to pay
staff a real, living wage. One
long term target, Capital One,
committed to do so this year, a
decision that will help to lift
many people out of poverty in
Nottingham and beyond
Other positive work:
• Investing in parish
outreach. In October a new
‘action learning community’
was launched, bringing
together four parishes across
the Diocese to learn together
practical tools, equipping
teams to better connect with
their neighbourhood, build
relationships, and make
change
• Neighbourhood
organising. Worked with St
Ann with Emmanuel and two
local primary schools on a
local listening and action
project. They have secured a
Citizens UK
16 Anglicans
receiving bespoke
‘church organising’
training
622 turnout
at June assemply
15 Anglicans
leading on city-
wide campaigns
100+Anglicans received
community
organising input
11Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
meeting with the council,
ensuring local people are
involved in the decision-
making process about St
Ann’s re-development
• Refugees. Supported
churches, a synagogue and
mosque to form ‘Sherwood
Sponsors Refugees’. They will
be welcoming a Syrian family
into the community in 2020
• Relationships. Our June
assembly struck a positive
working relationship with the
new leader of the city council,
Cllr David Mellen. He is now
meeting with us regularly and
has committed to co-convene
with us a ‘Good Work
Roundtable’, bringing together
the region’s anchor institutions
to develop an ambitious vision
to end ‘bad work’
Connect:
www.citizensuk.org/
nottingham
t: @NottinghamCitz
f: @NottinghamCitz
i: nottinghamcitizens
123organiser 121s with
Anglicans
37 diverse
member
institutions in
Notts
As a Diocese we seek to
embed responsibility
for diversity and
equality across all
departments, officers and
parishes.
• The Bishop of Sherwood is
Senior Staff Champion for
diversity and equality. The
question over whether the
new Bishop of Sherwood
continues as Senior Staff
Champion for diversity will be
addressed within the
appointment process for the
See of Sherwood and
Archdeacon of Newark
• The Partnerships and
Mission Team has continued
to support and develop:
- the disability awareness
group Enable
- ministry among deaf people
- work with older people
- mental health awareness
- BAME Anglican groups,
Racial Justice Sunday,
Hate Crime, work with
refugees, asylum seekers
and those caught in modern
slavery
• The Discipleship and
Ministry Team is working to
ensure diversity and equality
are core areas of growing
disciples, vocations strategy,
curate training, Continuing
Ministerial Development,
induction and orientation to
the diocese
The Diocesan Director of
Ordinands, Craig Hunt, links
with the national Minority
Ethnic Vocations Action Group
Education
In July, 90 students and their
teachers gathered at the
Archbishop’s Palace in
Southwell for the second
Living Well Together
Conference. For the first time,
all eight of the Church of
Diversity and Equality
12G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
90 students
and their teachers
gathered for the
second Living Well
Together
Conference
13Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
England secondary
academies in the Diocese
were represented. On the day
after the England women’s
football team played in the
semi-final of the World Cup,
the students heard from
Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and
Christian faith practitioners
speaking about the role of
women in religion. Working in
mixed school groups, students
then had the opportunity to
discuss the issues raised and
question the faith practitioners
about their views.The
conference was organised by
Anne Lumb (Diocesan
Education Team) in
partnership with Diana Ives
(Minster Education Team) and
Tom Wilson (St Philip’s
Centre)
Jubilee House
Discovery Day in the spring
focused on unconscious bias.
Disability
Enable - Pete Edwards
continues to chair this group.
Training and awareness
sessions are being offered to
Deaneries.
Older people
Paul Howard led this work
until the summer. He
supported three senior Alpha
courses in 2019. We have
held three Dementia
awareness sessions this year
since July under the auspices
of Transforming Notts
Together (TNT). We very
much appreciate Paul’s
ministry with older people in
the diocese over the past few
years.
Deaf People
During the first half of 2019 we
were grateful that James
Saxton offered a monthly
Eucharist for the small number
of people who attend deaf
church at Nottingham Deaf
Society. Since the summer,
after consultation with
Nottingham Deaf Society and
Deaf Church members, the
Revd Wendy Murphy has
volunteered to be chaplain,
offering one Sunday a month.
LGBT
Bishop Paul continues to meet
with people where there are
opportunities to share good
practice with regard to the
Church’s engagement with
LGBT as well to hear
concerns from different
perspectives. The Living in
Love and Faith project will
result in resources being
published in 2020 facilitating
further reflection and
discussion at personal, parish
and diocesan level.
14G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
Mental Health
Once again the diocese
allocated a Sunday in October
as Mental Health Awareness
Sunday. Opening Minds as a
strategy group met for the last
time in September. We are
very grateful to the chair Clare
Tyack. Some of the group plan
to continue to meet as a
prayer and support group.
Ongoing support for parish
Mental Health Awareness
Guides (MHAGs) from Michele
Hampson
The diocese continues to work
in partnership with
Nottinghamshire Rural
Support (NRS) which offers
support to farmers and their
families.
Black, Asian Minority Ethnic
(BAME) Anglicans
Liam O’Boyle has facilitated
this group with the support of
Bishop Tony. The Revd
Francis Wainaina has become
chair of the group. He has
also been appointed Diocesan
Link Person/MEAC rep to
national CMEAC.
Meetings have been held with
new members of the
Discipleship and Ministry
Team, they are committed to
ensuring people of BAME
backgrounds are involved in
the Diocesan Growing
Disciples and Vocations
Strategy (lay and ordained)
and ministry deployment
Hate Crime/Diversity
The diocese is represented on
the Safer Nottinghamshire
Board’s Hate Crime Steering
Group – made up of Statutory
and Voluntary/3rd Sector
Organizations – this co-
ordinates partnership activity
around hate crime in
Nottinghamshire and looks at
the challenges of hate crime
and how we respond to it. The
group also facilitates
opportunities to bring diverse
communities together and
increase community cohesion.
The Citizens report in May
2018 ‘Still No Place for Hate’,
which focused on the
experience of hate crime,
which continues to be all too
real for many people from
diverse communities, helped
to shape the work of the
Steering Group.
Over the last two years police
have reported increases in
racial and (likely) Brexit
related incidents - particularly
15
noticeable around comments
to ‘go home’ and similar verbal
abuse – and increased
intolerance. Some of these
have been posts on social
media as well as personal
interaction. Increase reported
in school play grounds.
National Hate Crime
Awareness Week took place
from 12th – 19th October
2019. Stop Hate UK
organises/acts as a resource
(the project was established in
direct response to the murder
of Stephen Lawrence). For
more information on how to
support Hate Crime
Awareness Week –
http://www.stophateuk.org/hat
e-crime-awareness-week/
To report Hate Crime, Tel:
0800 138 1625
Diocesan Synod in October
considered community
cohesion, including
awareness of Hate Crime.
Partnerships and Mission
team produced a short film
about modern slavery.
https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=6WBgWAwkE-0&t=
Racial Justice Sunday 2019
- hosted by Pastor Thippa at
Calvary Family Church
Basford, it was a joyful and
inspiring act of worship and
fellowship, with Bishop Tony
preaching. The hospitality was
fantastic with food in
abundance!
Holocaust Memorial Day
January 2019 – held at the
Council House, Old Market
Square, with the theme ‘Torn
From Home’. It encouraged
people to reflect on how the
enforced loss of a safe place
to call home is part of the
trauma faced by anyone
experiencing persecution and
genocide
Yo u n g e r � D e e p e r
G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
16
Transforming NottsTogether (TNT)
Transforming Notts
Together co-ordinates a
number of networks
around Nottinghamshire to
bring together project leaders,
build relationships and
promote joined up working.
They are:
Faith Action Nottingham - 72
members representing 49
organisations
Faith Action Mansfield - 30
members representing 20
organisations
Sutton Support Network - 21
members representing 14
organisations
Places of Welcome - 19
venues with more in the
pipeline for 2020
TNT also supports Faith
Action Retford
Working together
The Toton Churches Holiday
Food and Fun Club launched
in Summer 2019 after months
of planning and TNT support.
The breakfast club opened on
every Wednesday morning in
August. Over 70 children
attended over the course of
the four sessions, with each
person receiving a cooked
breakfast and children also
receiving a take-away packed
lunch.
A parent said: "I love the
holiday club the church did
this year. I went to the
breakfast club this morning
and it exceeded my
expectations. The ladies had
really gone to town, lovely
breakfast and they even sent
the children home with a
packed lunch. I will definitely
be going every Wednesday.
Thank you so much to all the
ladies and gentlemen that
take the time to volunteer and
keep Toton a lovely
community."
Transforming Notts Together is
a Joint Venture between the
5networks
coordinated
19Places of
Welcome and
growing
76Projects
supported
16workshops
delivered
17
Church Urban Fund (CUF)
and the Diocese of Southwell
& Nottingham and is one of 21
joint ventures in the Together
Network, all of them linked by
faith and driven by the desire
to tackle social inequality
across England
TNT’s key themes are:
Financial inclusion - food
poverty – homelessness -
loneliness - refugees and
asylum seekers.
16 Network
meetings£26,000received in grants and
donations this year
£83,000secured funding for
projects in the next
two years
67 churches
supported
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Refugee Roots (formerlythe Rainbow Project)
What is Refugee
Roots? Refugee
Roots welcomes all,
helping those in need find
friendship and a place to call
home.
Refugee Roots is a Christian
charity that helps asylum
seekers and refugees build
relationships and navigate the
complexities of building a new
life in the UK.
It was formerly known as the
Nottingham Rainbow Project
but has now registered
withThe Charity Commission
and, after a rebranding
process, is now known as
Refugee Roots.
We are grateful for all who
support us with time, talents
and grants, especially for the
ongoing funding from the
Diocese of Southwell and
Nottingham.
See website:
https://www.refugeeroots.org.
82 times
clothing was
distributed
79 times food
was distributed
297individuals have
been supported
across all projects
18G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
Since the launch of this
fund 19 grants have
been made to churches
to support their ministries of
welcome to Refugees and
Asylum Seekers. Here are
two examples from grants
given in 2019.
St Martin’s, Sherwood -
Sherwood Sponsors Refugees
This group was established to
respond to the refugee crisis
in the Middle East and to take
part in the Home Office
initiative to encourage
Community Sponsorship.
Sherwood Sponsors Refugees
was initially set up by faith
groups in Sherwood – the
Liberal Synagogue, the
Fiveways Mosque and three
Churches (the Methodists, St
Martins and St Johns). In
order to get Home Office
support we had to raise
£9,000, recruit volunteers to
support a refugee family, show
that we had robust systems
(safeguarding, complaints
etc.) in place, and have
access to a rented property
where the family can live.
We submitted our application
for approval to the Home
Office in December. After a
meeting to discuss the
application we were given
approval to be a sponsoring
group. The Diocesan Grant
was the first step towards our
raising the necessary money.
We reached the required total
of £9,000 by the end of
November.
At present we are in the
process of searching for a
suitable house. Our hope is to
identify a three or four
bedroom property in the
Sherwood area of Nottingham.
We are continuing to search
and hope that perhaps a
private landlord will recognise
the need and provide a house.
What we particularly value is
the way in which it has
brought together the three
main faith communities in
Sherwood. Our working
together has led to
discussions where we have
been able to recognise the
values that we share and to
get a deeper understanding of
the distinctive character of the
Bishop’s Welcome Fundfor Refugees and AsylumSeekers19 grants
have been made
19
22 parish
projects have been
supported
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faiths that we follow.
The Diocesan Grant was a
significant moment in our
development – the generous
amount that we were awarded
allowed us to start with
confidence on the work of
fundraising.
Ruddington St Peter’s
We welcomed a second
refugee family into the
Hermitage Flat allocated for
this purpose at the end of
February 2019. The family
consisted of a teenage single
mother from Somalia and her
young daughter. The Bishop’s
Welcome Fund provided
resource to help St Peter’s
provide those small luxuries in
the flat which cannot be
provided from state funding
such as toys, warm lighting
and electronic equipment.
The church established a
‘circle of care’ around the
family which consisted of 6 to
8 church women who were
prepared to put time into
befriending and supporting in
the difficult first year. Two
ESOL trained church
members were also willing to
voluntarily support with
language education.
Progress has continued to be
excellent and her language
skills are improving steadily
and her daughter is well
settled into pre-school
activities in the village. They
had Christmas lunch with the
family of a church member
and the mother will freely
contact members of the circle
of support if there are any
issues she needs help with.
Bishop’s CommunityHospitality Projects FundThis fund is now closed but 22
parish projects have been
supported since the launch.
St Wilfrid’s, Calverton
“Picnic in the Park’
This year saw an increase in
the numbers of people we had
at picnic in the park, both
involved and recipients.
Everyday during the summer
holidays we hold a picnic in
the park for anyone who is
there, wants to come along,
and may be in need of a meal
each day.
The schools and other
community groups advertise
this for us�.the aim of it is to
build community, feed those in
need and be a presence in the
community. Those who came
ranged from young families,
childminders, grandparents
and teenagers. The money
received from The Bishop’s
Fund was used to buy food, a
banner for advertising and
publicity for other events that
church was running over the
summer.
The picnic in the park has
resulted in relationships being
built, conversations regarding
need and support for families
in the community, prejudices
about church broken down
and other events such as
’turkey cobs on Christmas
day’. Plans are beginning to
form for this year, when we
aim to develop it even more
and have a prayer tent
alongside the picnic.
St Luke’s, Gamston “Food-
Friendship-Faith” (FFF)
FFF aims to create a space for
people to meet together to
share food, discover friendship
and explore faith. There are
three areas of
retirement/sheltered
accommodation in the
immediate vicinity of St Luke’s
Church building and we are
particularly keen to offer
hospitality and community for
people living in these areas
although open to anyone.
Isolation and loneliness are
significant challenges for
many of the residents.
FFF meets on the second
Thursday of each month and
offers a simple nutritious
lunch, “Table Talk” questions
and a short informal act of
worship.
The grant has been spent on
cookware, in order to
supplement our own
equipment. The reason for
this is that, due to FFF’s
popularity, we didn’t have
enough equipment in our
kitchen to provide for more
people.
20G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
21
Little Sparks have
engaged with over
30 families
11 grants have
been allocated
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Bishop’s CommunityFund for AddressingLoneliness
In 2019 Bishop Paul
launched the Community
Fund for Addressing
Loneliness.
Eleven grants have been
allocated to parishes so far,
including Carlton, Annesley,
Aspley and Sutton in Ashfield.
Here are a couple of examples
of projects helping churches to
meet and build new
relationships.
Little Sparks at St John’s,
Bilborough, is a group for
pre-schoolers and their
parents and carers, which
seeks to address the isolation
and loneliness felt by many
families due to financial
struggles, lack of opportunities
and challenging home lives.
Since launching in September
we have engaged with over 30
families across the community.
St John’s wants to provide
families with a safe and
welcoming place, enabling
parents and children to build
relationships with others and
creating an opportunity to
share God’s love.
The grant gratefully received
from the Bishop’s Community
Fund for Addressing
Loneliness has enabled us to
purchase storage for toys, art
and craft materials, children’s
cups and bowls, and an urn
for refreshments, and has also
gone towards the initial
running costs. In addition, we
had an end of term Christmas
party where we were able to
provide lunch and give away a
book to each child that told the
story of Jesus. We are looking
ahead to an Easter party at
the end of the spring term.
St John’s Carrington: Our
Community Café has now
been running for nearly a year.
We opened on March 13th
2019. The café is run entirely
by volunteers including two
young people with a learning
disability and two young
22G r o w i n g D i s c i p l e s � W i d e r
people who have experienced
severe mental health issues. It
has been such a joy to
witness these young people
grow in confidence and take
on more responsibility in the
cafe.
The Café takes place within
the nave of the church. Initially
we moved half of the pew
chairs to accommodate chairs
and tables but the café has
grown to such an extent that
now we have to clear all the
pew chairs. The grant from the
Addressing Loneliness Fund
bought much needed kitchen
equipment.
We lay up to 10 tables and
chairs and average at least 50
people coming through our
doors each week. Ages range
between 8 months and 80
years. We do not charge for
food but welcome donations to
cover the cost of the food.
We have had positive
responses from all who have
come into the café. Customers
come from a wide walk of life:
Young parents with children;
older folk who attend a line
dancing class in the hall
upstairs; residents from
nearby care homes; young
adults with mental health
issues; folk of all ages who
live alone.
Our local Councillors have
supported the café and visit us
as do health staff. Friendships
have been made and the front
of house staff often have no
need to ensure that folk don’t
sit alone as they now have a
friend to sit with.
We have received much
positive feedback from those
who attend the café. Several
child minders have been very
appreciative of the opportunity
to meet together in a relaxed
atmosphere where the
children can play. Young
parents have spoken of the
opportunity to get out and
meet other people from a wide
range of backgrounds and
ages. One elderly gentleman
who has been recently
diagnosed with dementia
commented “I love coming
here I can be myself and feel
safe.”A young woman
suffering extreme anxiety has
progressed from sitting quietly
at a table to serving food and
helping set out the café and
clear up while chatting to the
other volunteers.
One family have begun
coming to church as a result of
coming to the café and three
folk have joined our ‘Start’
course.
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Environment
In late October, the Revd
Alex Shiells attended the
National Diocesan
Environment Officer's
conference on behalf of the
diocese. This was an
opportunity for those engaged
in environmental issues at a
diocesan level to meet to pray,
share experience and ideas,
and plan a way forward on the
issues of climate change and
environmental care. The
Conference coincided with the
latest report from the Church
of England Environmental
Working Group, which can be
found here:
https://www.churchofengland.
org/more/media-
centre/news/church-englands-
environment-group-calls-great
er-action-climate-change-
across
Alex writes: “At the conference
we heard stories of success
and relief around the globe,
particularly in areas most
affected by natural disasters in
which the Anglican
Communion is able to offer aid
and support. We also shared
stories of good practice in our
own churches and dioceses,
and it is clearer than ever that
the Church is beginning to
stand up and be counted in
response to this most
important of issues. Our care
for God's earth is a significant
area of witness and mission
as we respond to what has
been termed a climate
emergency for our world.
“Most significantly for our
diocese, two key subjects
were discussed. Firstly, the
Archbishop of Canterbury's
2020 Lent Book, written by
Ruth Valerio, which will
coincide with the national
#LiveLent campaign and
resources. Both offer an
opportunity for individuals and
churches to reflect on creation
over Lent and to use the
materials for Bible studies and
personal devotions.
“Secondly, it was
acknowledged that Eco
Church is a fantastic
framework by which every
In 2019 20churches registered as
eco-churches
Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, Jubilee House, 8 Westgate, Southwell
Nottinghamshire NG25 0JH. www.southwell.anglican.org
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS & MISSION
David McCoulough
01636 817246
PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER
Liam O’Boyle
07860507318
liam.o'[email protected]
NOTTINGHAM WORKPLACE CHAPLAIN
The Revd Jo Tatum
07525 641320
TRANSFORMING NOTTS TOGETHER
(TNT)
Hannah Buck
07734 994 637
uk
Contacts
For more details about Enable, Nottinghamshire Rural Support or any other group please
contact: Catriona Gundlach 01636 817232, [email protected]
church can assess its worship
and teaching, lifestyle and use
of resources in order to make
tangible changes for good.
This is something that the
diocese is beginning to
engage with - every church
can register on the Eco
Church website:
https://ecochurch.arocha.org.
uk/ ”
During 2019, the number of
parishes registered as eco-
churches rose from 11 to 20:
Congratulations to St Mark’s
Woodthorpe and Christ
Church Worksop on achieving
bronze awards.
Several more parishes are in
the process of achieving at
least bronze awards, which is
very encouraging.
In October Andy Lester, Head
of Conservation at A Rocha,
gave a presentation “Hope for
the Earth” at a well-attended
Holy Trinity Southwell and
preached the following day at
The Harvest Thanksgiving at
Southwell Minster.
