St Peter’s and The Hub, Living History in the Community, St Gregory’s Foodbank and The Outpost, St Paul’s
England: St Peter’s and The Hub, Peterchurch, Herefordshire
St Peter’s serves the rural community of Peterchurch, a small village which is a popular tourist destination. The church aims to provide practical as well as spiritual support to local people, helping to tackle the isolation and limited access to services that residents can face. Many of the volunteers at the Hub are not regular churchgoers, but local people who wish to make a contribution to their community. The volunteers range in age from their early 30s to their early 80s and some travel to the village to give of their time. The Hub offers a broad range of activities and support for the community including a café and a library. The café is the main community asset for the Hub as it is not only an opportunity to generate revenue for the church, but also offers a safe and welcoming space for local people to reduce their social isolation and speak to others about the issues that are worrying them. The Hub also runs a community helpline, which grew exponentially during the pandemic as a way for residents to remain in contact with one another at a time when people could not meet in person. St Peter’s is truly a focus for the community and that is largely thanks to the work of volunteers at the Hub.
Northern Ireland: Living History in the Community, Church of the Immaculate Conception, Strabane
The church is a focal point for worship and community activities in Strabane, one of the most deprived local areas in the UK. The Community Heritage volunteers who run this project range in age from teenagers to pensioners, bringing the younger and older generation together with a shared interest. Volunteers have been involved in researching the heritage of the local area for an exhibition, in conservation skills training to be able to prepare objects that were to be displayed and in tour guide training so that they would be able to share their findings with visitors to the exhibition. The project has a Community Engagement plan which ensures that they are reaching as many local people as possible, and an active social media presence which helps keep all volunteers engaged. Through this project, volunteers feel connected to their local community and have expressed excitement about the opportunities that the project has presented to them. The volunteers have helped to bring the profile of the church and its heritage to the front and centre and the church has become the beating heart of the community. The volunteers have sparked an interest in community heritage and have created a living, breathing museum in their church.
Scotland: St Gregory’s Foodbank, Wyndford, Glasgow
Wyndford is one of the most deprived areas of Glasgow and St Gregory’s has identified the need to provide both practical and spiritual support to the community. A team of over 20 volunteers, from a variety of churches in the area, have built up one of the busiest foodbanks in Glasgow to do just this. The volunteers have responded to the need they have seen in their local community, and it has never been difficult for the foodbank to recruit volunteers. Most of the volunteers have been recruited since the start of the pandemic in 2020, when the foodbank was serving over 300 people each week. The foodbank is open 5 days a week and no referral is needed, meaning that anyone who is struggling with food poverty can attend to pick up what they need. The foodbank, and the volunteers who run it, are making a real difference to the lives of families who are struggling to put food on the table. The volunteers have been able to maintain and grow a vital service to the community despite the challenges of lockdown during the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis.
Wales and National Winner: The Outpost, St Paul’s, Rhosesmor, Flintshire
St Paul’s is a small church but works extensively in the community thanks to the 37 volunteers who work in the Outpost shop and coffee area. The Outpost is accessible every day and offers a welcome sense of belonging and wellbeing. The volunteers are a capable, competent, cheerful group who have a professional approach to running the shop which helps reduce social isolation in the village whilst also providing practical help since the closest shop is 3 miles away. The volunteers are heavily involved in the running of the project and are closely consulted through review meetings to ensure that the shop is achieving what it needs to for the community. The shop supports local suppliers by stocking their goods and also respects people’s situations by asking shoppers to give what they can if they are struggling to make ends meet. The Outpost is so much more than a village shop as the volunteers have started up a number of community groups including a book club and social afternoons. The Outpost is a vital resource for the surrounding community and has become a focal point where people can seek help and support. The volunteers have helped to bring life back to the centre of the village.