The shortlisted projects for the Faithworks Members Award for Community Commitment are:

Colchester Nightstop
This project provides emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-25 who would otherwise be sleeping on the streets. Volunteer host families welcome young people into their own homes for 1 to 10 nights providing time to find more permanent solutions or family mediation, thus preventing the long term homelessness cycle. Hosts have accommodated 37 young people in this first 12 months of the project’s existence.  They take referrals from Connexions, YMCA and the Probation and Social Services.  Volunteers house those in need at their own expense, as such the project as a whole has a turnover of just £500.

Making a Difference – Tameside Ltd
Making a Difference aims to assist people with chronic and enduring mental health problems by providing one-to-one and group workshops.  The emphasis is on giving access to a wide variety of creative activities such as pottery, personal health and computer skills.  These provide opportunities for individuals to work alongside others, build relationships, handle conflict and gain confidence.  They receive referrals from PCTs, GPs, the Community Mental Health Team, Connexions and many more.  This Christian motivated project is run entirely by volunteers and receives students from the local University and hospitals on work placements.  Their turnover is just £7,000.

Ness Youth Centre
This project is a response to the need for a local, safe and social place for young people in this remote area of the Isle of Lewis to spend their evenings. It serves 14 villages in a remote district, where the nearest similar facility is 30 miles away.  The café and sports centre were originally set up on a small grant in 2004, following a community survey where teenage boys asked for a place to play sport and girls said they were looking for somewhere to chill.  The project now has a turnover of £1,100.  It is a joint initiative between two churches with 12 volunteers from various churches.  They are seeking to provide an environment both attractive to the young people as well as a place where a good Christian example is set.

Samaritan Network
The Samaritan Network serves around 150 vulnerable people on the streets of the West End district every week in all weathers. The team of Christian volunteers have been faithfully serving this community for 3 years through the provision of soup, refreshments and basic counselling. They also help those they serve with a more sustainable existence by providing information and signposting to organisations that can provide advice and support on gaining housing, employment and support with health issues. The project is run with a turnover of £3,500 in individual donations with food donated by Sainsbury’s.

St Andrews Memory Club
This project has served the needs of people suffering from memory loss and Alzheimer’s for over 3 years.  Memory loss sufferers often feel embarrassed and excluded because of their condition.  St Andrews aim to serve this community of people in a holistic way by using therapeutic methods to both stimulate memory as well as enhance confidence and self esteem.  St Andrews has strong links with outside organisations, some providing referrals and others linked with service providers whom they direct their members to. The centre is run entirely by volunteers, supplemented by trainee professionals from local colleges on work placements. Funds are generated by sale of meals at meetings and various donations and fundraising exercises which last year created a turnover of around £7,000.   

Yarls Wood Befrienders
This befriending service works with detainees at an Immigration Removal Centre in Bedford. The individuals requesting visits often feel isolated, rejected and nearly all suffer from depression.  The befrienders visit at least once a week for the duration of the detainees stay. They provide emotional support as well as ensuring individuals receive medical and legal assistance where necessary.  They also seek to affirm the staff who are under tremendous pressure.  The service has rapidly grown in its 6 year operating period to having 35 volunteers, a committee of 9, and a turnover of £19,000. 

Awards Criteria

In addition to the award specific criteria, all projects applying for an award need to demonstrate the extent to which they are:
· responding to a local need
· impacting on the local community
· forging relationships with local government and other agencies
· receiving coverage in the local media
· demonstrating a distinctive Christian ethos

Please note: Projects applying for an award must already be in operation, delivering services.