The shortlisted projects for this award are:

Cornerstone Trust (Bishop’s Stortford)
A charity, operating in Essex and East Hertfordshire, which seeks to provide disadvantaged people with the skills and resources to recognize and maximize their potential, improve their quality of life and make a contribution to society.  The charity does this by providing training courses, advocacy and a decorating service.   All team members working with people on a one-to-one basis are active, local Christians.

The charity has a two year contract with Essex Social Services to deliver all the formal and self advocacy support required by people with learning disabilities in West Essex.  They work with several quality standards including PQASSO, Matrix, CIF and RARPA and their latest self assessment report for the LSC received a ‘best practice’ grading.  

Halifax Street Angels
This team of mainly Christian volunteers provides a safe presence in Halifax town centre between 9pm and 3am every Friday and Saturday night.  The team responds to the needs of vulnerable people ensuring that the elderly, those underage, those who have drunk too much or had their drinks spiked get home safely.  The project works closely with the council, nightlife businesses and the police who have reported a 42% reduction in violent crimes since the Street Angels launched in 2005. 

In 2007, it is estimated that the Halifax Street Angels will invest 8,000 volunteer hours in the town and help over 1,000 vulnerable people.  The team received the Community Foundation for Calderdale Project of the Year Award and they are currently working towards gaining the Investing in Volunteers status. 

Hull Churches Home From Home Hospital Service
This free service, provided by 92 volunteers, is given to those returning home from hospital.   The service includes 6-8 weeks of support consisting of 2-3 visits per week to undertake shopping, listening, changing anti-embolism stockings, assistive technology and anything required to support a healthy recovery and return to independence.  A total of 1469 older clients were assisted to independence through convalescence in the past year. 

The volunteers, from a range of churches across Hull, are all trained to NVQ level and are accompanied for 6 weeks initial mentoring and fieldwork experience before being given their own clients.  The charity has service level agreements with Hull City Council Social Services and Hull Teaching PCT. 

Open Door International Language School
This Christian motivated language school, based in Plymouth, supports and enables Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrant Workers to fully participate within their local community.   It teaches English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to 360 students each week from 64 different nations as well as providing free childcare for students, vocational training, social interaction, pastoral support and teacher training.  The project also seeks to influence local, regional and national policy in the area of asylum and is the only faith organisation involved in the DfES Citizenship Pilot. 

To offset shortfalls in funding not covered by Government Contracts, it trades as a British Council Accredited Language School offering bespoke courses to businesses and university students from overseas.  The school has received specialist status from the Learning and Skills Council and Quality Improvement Agency.  As a DfES provider they are subject to the standards required by New Ofsted, Matrix and the British Council. 

The Terminus Initiative
This Christian motivated social enterprise, which was shortlisted for the Community Excellence Award last year, aims to serve the Lowedges estate in Sheffield with an accessible community café and second hand shop.  It provides volunteering and befriending opportunities for asylum seekers, the unemployed and other disadvantaged people. 

The café is a focal point for vulnerable people within the community who currently contribute 110 voluntary hours a week to the organisation.  The initiative is used as a collection point for Sheffield Credit Union and a base for a Healthy Living Programme and Conversation Club. The project has received the Duke of York Community Initiative Award.   

WHCM (West Ham Central Mission) Counselling and Support
This well established Christian charity provides accessible counseling to children, young people and adults who feel isolated, excluded or marginalized through personal, emotional or mental health difficulties.  In 2007 it counseled 1,007 people and yet the waiting list never dropped below 100.  The majority of clients are not wage earners, and almost half are below the age of 25. 

The charity works from three centres in East London and Essex, and recently celebrated its centenary year.  The counseling service has held Investors in People status since 2004 and are accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.  

Awards 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