The Faithworks Community Resource Award 2005
sponsored by Christian Resources Exhibitions

Worthing Churches Homeless Projects, which provides support for local homeless people by running a day centre within self care facilities and training received this award. This project also runs two hostels for its clients – one on a short-term basis, the other on a longer term.

The Faithworks Community Innovation Award 2005
sponsored by Spring Harvest

ACCEPT Mental Health Trust, based in Hinckley in Leicestershire, recieved this award. ACCEPT provide training for volunteers to run support groups for people with mental health problems. They also raise awareness of mental health issues in schools and local churches. The project is linked to a sister scheme in Nigeria, which provides clients with unique learning opportunities.

New Hope Mentoring Programme, based in south Birmingham, also received a Faithworks Award for Community Innovation.  New Hope helps young offender reintegrate into society by providing mentoring and befriending support as well as training in life skills through local churches.

A further three projects received special commendation:

• Ayr Ark received special commendation from Faithworks for excellence.
• The Boaz Trust received special commendation from Spring Harvest for innovation
• Homelink received special commendation from Community Resources Exhibitions for resourcing their community.

2005 Faithworks Lifetime Achievement Award, the first award of its kind, was awarded to Bob Holman. Bob has lived and worked on Glasgow’s Easterhouse estate, the largest housing estate in Europe, for the past 15 years. He is the author of a number of books, including ‘Faith in the Poor’, and has advised central and local Government on social policy issues.

2005 shortlisted projects: 

Cornerstone Trust, Harlow, Essex
Meeting the needs of socially and economically disadvantaged people by offering practical life skills training as well as training to secure employment. Cornerstone also offer advocacy for people with learning disabilities.

Highfields Happy Hens, Derbyshire
A social enterprise giving young offenders and young people with behavioural issues a second chance through encouragement and practical training.  This chicken farm sells 16,000 eggs a day, whilst at the same time teaching practical farming skills and basic skills such as reading and writing, helping vulnerable young people to get back into education and employment.

Homelink, St Augustine’s Community Care Trust, Twickenham
Through the provision of a day centre for mentally ill and vulnerable elderly people with long-term health problems, this project provides respite to carers, who would otherwise be housebound.  In addition it offers rehabilitation care for those returning from a hospital stay.

Manna House Counselling Service, Northampton
Manna House offers free counselling to people referred by GPs, local prisons and colleges. The service provides training to counsellors across the country, and work has recently started amongst young people affected by divorce, separation and bereavement.

Off The Fence, Hove
Delivers a wide range of services to vulnerable people in Brighton and Hove. These include outreach to the homeless, advice and support to women involved in street prostitution, providing advocacy to families at risk, aid with the transition to independent living for young people who are leaving 24 hour care, running Christian lunch clubs in schools and operating a phone support line for those who have left home or run away and need help and advice.

As 2 Become 3, Hammersmith
Equips couples to cope with the a growing family. Provides practical advice for new dads as well as running courses for couples focussing on their relationship as the baby arrives, minimising relationship breakdown.

Ayr Ark, Ayrshire
The Ark is an alcohol free nightclub offering a safe haven for potentially vulnerable young people.

Boaz Trust, Manchester
Offering accommodation to asylum seekers whose applications have been denied. Also provided is a hosting programme run in partnership with local churches, encouraging them to become involved in befriending and offering sanctuary.

Connections/GirlAbout, Watford
Provides support for women aged 13-25, primarily in sexual health/teen parenting issues, as well as a post-abortion counselling service, a mums and toddlers group for teenage mums as well as specialist parenting workshops.

Legacy XS, Benfleet
The main feature of this project is a skate/bmx park but the project offers a great deal more to compliment this. A youth café has pool, table football and interactive technology facilities. It also hosts gigs as well as art based activities encouraging individual expression. Counselling is also available to the young people who attend.

Meganursery, Sheffield
Providing childcare in inner Sheffield whilst offering a family service to tackle issues such as breakdowns, poor health, low educational attainment and substance misuse.

The Michaelhouse Centre, Cambridge
A centre offering community meeting space and facilities as well as an affordable fair trade community café and a gallery area for showcasing the work of local artists.

Perform, Swindon
A wide ranging arts project helping people of all ages build confidence and discover their identity with performances of various types, including productions, workshops, youth theatre and tea dances.