Colchester Nightstop
Winner of the Faithworks Community Commitment Award in 2007, 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. Volunteers house those in need at their own expense, as such the project as a whole has a turnover of just £500.

Cornerstone Trust (Bishop’s Stortford)
This charity, operating in Essex and East Hertfordshire, was the Winner of the Communty Excellence Award in 2005 and were shortlisted for the same award in 2007. Cornerstone seeks to provide disadvantaged people with the skills and resources to recognise and maximise their potential, improve their quality of life and make a contribution to society. This project seeks to assist the unemployed by offering basic skills training, ICT training and job search information and advice, to equip people with the skills and confidence to succeed in a competitive job market. The charity does this by providing training courses, advocacy and a decorating service. For more information visit their website at www.cornerstonetrust.org.uk

St Andrews Memory Club, Great Yarmouth
Shortlisted for the Community Commitment Award in 2007 and the Faithworks Spring Harvest Community Innovation Award for Developing Projects in 2006. The principal aim of this church-based project is to support, encourage and help those who suffer the debilitating problems of memory loss. It seeks to address the particular problems and formerly hidden needs of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia and amnesia. 

Yarls Wood Befrienders, Bedford
This befriending service, shortlisted for the Community Commitment Award in 2007, 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. To find out more about the befriending service www.ywbefrienders.org

Trinity Family Centre, Westcliff on Sea
Shortlisted for the Faithworks Congregational Community Excellence Award 2006. Trinity Family Centre exists to strengthen family relationships, providing support to the whole family through parent and toddler groups, after school clubs, education and skills training, parenting skills training, self esteem and confidence building.

In 2004 Daily Bread Co-operative (Cambridge) Ltd, a retailer of wholefood, organic and fairly traded goods committed to demonstrating that it is possible to run a commercially viable business with clear spiritual and social objectives was shortlisted for the Faithworks Social Entrepreneurship Award.  For more about the Daily Bread Co-operatives visit www.dailybread.co.uk.

In 2005 the following three projects were shortlisted for a Faithworks Award: 

Connections/GirlAbout, in Watford, provides support for young women aged 13-25 in sexual health and teen parenting, post-abortion counselling and through a mums and toddlers group. For more information visit www.girlabout.co.uk

Legacy XS, in Benfleet, runs a skate and BMX park along with a youth café. They hosts gigs as well as art based activities and provide counselling for the young people who attend. To find out more go to www.legacyxs.com

The Michaelhouse Centre in Cambridge provides a 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. Visit their website at www.michaelhouse.org.uk