Speaking at the Faithworks Awards Ceremony she said: “It was so important when Faithworks came on the scene. We’ve always had faith leaders involved in community action, at local and national levels, but there was still a reticence in the church about what faith on the ground actually meant. Faithworks came along and actually challenged us to put our faith into action.

“We need bodies like Faithworks to remember what it means to have a Christian root and how that informs the way we do our work.”  Speaking to the Leader of Faithworks, Malcolm Duncan she added: “You have a lot to be proud of about what Faithworks has done in society.”

Four Christian based community projects from Colchester, Edinburgh, Everton and Hull each had their achievements recognised at the Faithworks Awards Ceremony held at Olympia on Tuesday 5th February.

More than 200 local community projects applied for the £5,000 awards, sponsored by Congregational & General Insurance, the Faithworks Membership, Kingdom Bank, Oasis UK and Spurgeons Network. 

Malcolm Duncan, Leader of the Faithworks movement said: “Every day the people involved in these projects give themselves away for others. Their work is sacrificial, sustained and committed. These people are the true leaders of the Faithworks Movement. Our Awards ceremony is like a window on the massive world of Christian social action.” 

He went on to challenge both the Church and Government to move on with mutual respect saying: “If Government must be careful with its language then so must the Church.  If Government must be careful of its separatism then so must we.  If it is important for Government not to generalise about us then we must not generalise about them.  And if Government must avoid cynicism then we must surely be a people of hope.”
 
He encouraged all those present to remember that creeds without deeds are vacuous by encouraging local churches to remember that faith does something.  “Christian social activism is deeply rooted in the person and example of Jesus.  Our faith in him must never be sacrificed on the altar of popularity. Christian social action recognises that lasting transformation must happen from the inside out.  Local churches and government must recognise each others strengths and work together to see individuals and communities transformed.”

Comments on the night from the award winners:

Spurgeons Network Award for Improving the Lives of Children and Young People
Glenn Liddall of the Sunflower Garden Project: “This award is a real endorsement of what we’ve done over the last five years. We want to thank the children and parents who were brave enough to step forward for help. The award means we can start to talk about our work as Christians. We always felt we had to hide that part of us away but Faithworks will help us articulate that better to a secular society.”

Based in Edinburgh this pioneering Christian project works with children affected by drug and alcohol use in the families.  The project, which has been running since 2003, seeks to break the pattern of intergenerational substance misuse. 

Oasis UK Community Inclusion Award
Dan Ray, Chair of the Big Buzz After Schools Club, said: “We’re touched to have even been nominated. We work in an unfashionable place and what we do as a small organisation often goes unnoticed so thanks to Faithworks for recognising us. We’ve been on the brink of closure twice in the last 12 months, even handed out redundancy notices – this award will really help.”

Based in Everton, the most deprived ward in the country in terms of income, health and employment, this vital project gives children from low income homes an opportunity to develop skills and abilities, build ambition and self-confidence.  The Family Liaison Officer for the project works with the children’s families supporting parents back to work, helping families arrange re-housing and being an advocate with the bailiffs. 

The Congregational and General Insurance Award for Community Excellence Award
Brian Smelt from Hull Churches Home from Hospital Service said: “This award is tremendous – it is a ‘wow’ occasion tonight but it’s all about a very special lady, Jean Templeton, our founder. In faith, Jean gave up a well-paid job to return to the city of her birth with no funds at all and went around researching what people are looking for. She knocked on doors for three months and from that started Hull Churches Home from Hospital Service. It’s a tremendous privilege to be here tonight to say a few thanks on Jean’s behalf.”

This free service, provided by 92 volunteers, includes 6-8 weeks of support for those coming out of hospital.  The volunteers visit 2-3 times per week providing assistance 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. 

Community Commitment Award donated and decided by Faithworks Members
Jeanette Hewes of Colchester Nightstop, said: “I’ve spent the last 3 years telling God ‘I can’t’ and he says ‘Yes, you can’. We have just as many teenagers who want to help as those who actually get help. This Faithworks award means we can now afford to ask more families take in a young person and help them.”

This project, currently with a turnover of just £500, 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 a short stay providing time to find more permanent solutions or family mediation.  This has proven effective in preventing the long term homelessness cycle.

Faithworks Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Robina Rafferty, former CEO of Housing Justice: “Ron is a truly amazing character who saw a need and met it. Ron is a worthy winner of the award and an inspiring example of faith in action”

Winner, Ron Newton said: “God has given me many blessings in life.  He eventually brought me to Marah. I would say I’ve worked with many committed people in my life but never as committed as the people I work with in Marah. I am breathless to receive such an award from such a prestigious organisation as Faithworks.”

The 78 year old founder of the Marah Trust, continues to serve the charity faithfully despite battling with Multiple Sclerosis.  The drop in centre in Stroud provides friendship, a meal and a place to congregate for people who live on the margins of society.

ENDS

Contact:
For further information and interviews, contact Faithworks Press & Media Office on 0207 921 4300, 07921 588402 or andrew.green@oasisuk.org