Big Buzz Club, Liverpool
The Big Buzz Club were the Winners of the 2007 Community Inclusion Award. They provide fun and educational activities for children in Everton, the third most deprived ward in the country giving children the opportunity to develop new skills and abilities, build ambition and self-confidence. Their Family Liaison Officer works with the children’s parents visiting homes, liaising with social services and supporting access to training. 

Big Buzz have also received other awards recently, to read an article about the project published in the Liverpool Echo click here. The Big Buzz website is www.bigbuzz.org

Making a Difference – Tameside Ltd, Greater Manchester
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. Their turnover is just £7,000 and they were shortlisted for the Community Commitment Award in 2007.

Boaz Trust, Manchester
The Boaz Trust was shortlisted for the Community Inclusion Award in 2007 and the Faithworks Community Resource Award in 2005. The Trust provides a holistic service to eradicate destitution amongst asylum seekers in Greater Manchester. This includes providing accommodation, food parcels, friendship and advocacy, while campaigning to change government policy. It provides a hosting programme run in partnership with local churches, encouraging befriending and the offering of sanctuary. For more information visit boaztrust.org.uk

New Hope – Kids First PSI Project, Runcorn
Shortlisted for the Faithworks Spring Harvest Community Innovation Award for Developing Projects 2006. Kids First is a seven-stage programme called Progressive Social Inclusion to meet the needs of excluded young people, aged 12-18, many of whom are in care or have special educational needs.

In 2004 The Welcome in Knutsford, Cheshire was shortlisted for the 2004 Faithworks Community Resource Award.  The Welcome is a drop in centre and community café, situated within the community of Overward, Knutsford, which is the second most deprived ward in Macclesfield. 

The Avencare Project, located in Preston, Lancashire, provides social support to local people while at the same timebuilding and developing a sense of community. Avencare was originally initiated in 1997 by Catholic Caring Services as part of their community development programme. The project is now jointly run by a local Roman Catholic church and an Anglican church.

Unafund, based in Ormskirk, Lancashire, is a charity which grants interest-free loans to people who are threatened with losing their home. Understanding that poor job security and mortgages based on two salaries make it possible for anyone to fall into financial problems with sudden loss of work, Unafund seeks to enable people to keep their home and self-esteem.

The Eden Project, based in Manchester, is a new style of youth project which brings to life some of the toughest areas of Manchester. Eden aims to see the inner-city communities of Manchester transformed by the power of God. This exciting vision was born over 8 years ago, with the first Eden being launched in 1997. To find out more visit www.message.org.uk/edenproject