CHURCH COMMUNITY MATTERS:

There is a change of title for this month’s ‘Church Matters’ as it’s content is more about the community as a whole, including the church.

As I write there is growing concern for the economy of the nation and how it is going to affect everyone. The cost of energy, food and mortgages; not to mention the impact on the National Health Service and other public services.

The energy price cap and winter fuel payments from the Government are a welcome help to many but for a significant number, both locally and nationally, rising prices will result in a bleak and cold winter.

All over the country organisations are preparing to open their premises as warm and welcoming spaces to give those who most need it some respite, these include libraries, churches and village halls. At the Linkinhorne Parish Hall Committee meeting last week we discussed the possibility of opening the hall as a warm and welcoming space and agreed to look into this further. I wonder if Stoke Climsland and South Hill have had similar thoughts for some of their buildings.

Martin Lewis (the money saving expert) has sponsored a guide to outline best practice of how to set up a warm and welcoming space. It starts with the words: Local communities have stepped up in many ways to support their neighbours through the cost of living crisis. Very close to what Jesus identified as the second most important principle to live by; ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’. Communities across the country seem to have perceived that this is simply the best way communities work, regardless of whether they are faith based or not. Further information at: https://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2022/10/martin-lewis–new-guide-to-set-up-a-warm-space—somewhere-for-p/

Another way communities are helping their struggling neighbours is with foodbanks, community fridges and similar initiatives, one warm welcome centre offers as many groceries as are needed for £3.00! Most of these initiatives are in cities or towns but some rural neighbours are finding the current cost of living just as challenging as their city counterparts. What can be done locally in our rural settings and how can they be funded?

Several local people have mentioned to me that they don’t really need the Government handout over the winter months and have considered giving it to an organisation that can channel it to those in greater need. It would not need many to channel their £400 winter fuel payment to a local ‘warm welcome’ to provide enough capital to fund it’s running!

Before any action is taken on providing warm spaces locally, some questions need to be asked and answered – and very quickly before the really cold weather begins to bite.

Firstly, how many locally would benefit from a warm space and how many of those would feel comfortable using one and have transport if was needed?

Secondly, are the necessary resources available, venue, finance and volunteers willing to staff warm spaces? If you have answers or would be willing to help set up and run a warm space locally please contact me in the first instance at briannorrisics@hotmail.com or phone 01579 363515.

Brian Norris