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We recognise that most of our charity partners will already have an existing client or customer base, but for those church partners looking for ways to reach out we have some guidance on ways to do so.
There are many ways you can engage with people in particular need, some more formal than others. We do not attempt to dictate how you should do that but only offer some suggestions. Where you choose to focus will often depend on the contacts you already have within your church congregation but the more you can network and spread the word about Acts 435, the more opportunities you can create to help people through Acts 435.
Some examples from existing partners:
Example 1: St. Peter’s Church in Barnsley – through advertising Acts 435 at their toddler group a Children’s Centre worker enquired about how she might get assistance for vulnerable families she worked with. A few years on, many Barnsley families have been helped through Acts 435 by referral from the town’s network of Children’s Centres.
Example 2: in a church in London a member of the congregation was also involved in a local domestic violence charity and a natural connection was formed, referring people from the charity into the church Advocate to post requests.
Where is the need?
Where is the need?
Do you know what the main issues in your local area are? Is it unemployment, asylum seekers, high single parent families? Do you know which local projects operate in your area and who they work with? Are there any in particular struggling with funding who would welcome an additional resource?
Ask your congregation. What connections do they have that you could explore? Do you currently run church activities that connect with those in need? For example asylum seekers, foodbanks, domestic violence units.
It’s worth investing some time in researching these points and having some conversations with potential referring organisations and seeing where there is interest in getting specific help for people in need. Follow up with the keen ones – others may come on board once they see how it is working elsewhere!
Ways of finding those in need
Ways of finding those in need
This is a matter to be decided by the local partner. Here are a few scenarios to consider:
You may wish to hold “surgeries” which may be publicised and held within the church or community - this will invite potential applicants to meet the Advocates at an advertised place and time.
Advocates could accompany pastoral workers when a need has been identified.
All cases could go through the church leader (or ministry leader) – the Advocate only receives the information to input on the Acts 435 website.
Is there a local foodbank you have a connection with? We have resources available that you may wish to include with food parcels or similar.
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