Partnerships, Projects and Poverty Canterbury Kent
Partnerships, Projects and PovertyBeing the Hands and Heart of Christ.
Canterbury Cathedral
The Social Justice Network is proud to have collaborated with Canterbury Cathedral on a number of events including three consecutive years of Refugee Week events, as well as a lecture series on the Works of Mercy and other events. Working with the Dean, Canon Missioner and cathedral staff we aim to work together to bring communities together to help transform lives through joining in with God’s mission in the world.
Kent Workplace Mission
Kent Workplace Mission (KWM) is a seven denominational Mission LEP supporting chaplains in workplaces across the county. Bluewater (in Rochester Diocese) pays for a half-post as Co-coordinating Chaplain, all the chaplains in Canterbury Diocese are lay volunteers, from Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover, Dungeness Power Station, Fremlin Walk in Maidstone to individual supermarkets. There are about 48 chaplains in Rochester and 18 in Canterbury.
Kent Emergency Chaplains Scheme
Kent Emergency Chaplains Scheme (KECS) A network of chaplains from all denominations ready to respond to civil emergencies in support of the county (KCC) and district councils. As CTK leaders have no legal status as a group KECS has recently moved under the oversight of KWM so that a formal Memorandum of Understanding can be made with KCC.
Farming Community Network
FCN is a voluntary organisation & charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community. Whether the issue is personal or business-related, FCN is here for you. They run a confidential, national helpline and e-helpline which is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm and our volunteers provide free, confidential support to anyone who seeks help. Over 6,000 people a year benefit from FCN’s support and we can help with a variety of issues. The Director of SJN sits on the board of trustees for the FCN in the South East and we partner on rural and farming issues.
Acts 435
Acts 435 is a giving website that allows people to give money directly to others, and 100% of what is donated via Acts 435 goes directly to those in need.
When so many people need so much help giving to charities and good causes can sometimes feel overwhelming and hard. Acts 435 puts people who want to help in touch with people who are in need, through a network of churches and local charities. Acts 435 enables virtual, online giving for specific needs. Our Connecting Canterbury Project works through Acts 435 to help people with grants for household goods and other needs.
Clewer Initiative
The Clewer Initiative is the Church of England’s response to modern slavery, working to raise awareness of the issue, identify victims and provide victim support and care. We believe that the tools to end modern slavery already exist within the local community and that the church has an important role to play in leading these efforts. The Clewer Initiative works with dioceses and wider church networks to recognise and respond to modern slavery within their communities, one of the key resources used is Hidden Voices, a community mobilisation course. Nationally we have worked on projects including the Safe Car Wash App and Farm Work Welfare App, helping to raise awareness of and respond to exploitation taking place in the car wash and farming sectors in the UK.
Fairtrade
Canterbury District Fairtrade group works to raise local awareness of the Fairtrade system and to promote the use of Fairtrade products to tackle the challenges of global poverty, injustice and environmental sustainability. The group works with churches, faith and belief communities, schools, universities, businesses and shops, community organisations and Canterbury City Council to promote these goals.
Chaplain to the Homeless in Canterbury – The Revd Jo Richards
Chaplain to the Homeless is a new chaplaincy created during the pandemic and arising out of Jo Richards existing work with the homeless. The chaplain is the listening ear on the street, working closely with local organisations. Part of the role includes going out on early morning patrols with the outreach team as well as a weekly prayer walk around the city. The chaplain is forever mindful of the needs of all parishioners, particularly those who live on the streets, to see Christ in the other and to be Christ to the other.
Candifa, Canterbury and District Interfaith Action
Candifa is a local interfaith group affiliated to a national body, The InterFaith Network for the UK. The InterFaith Network, which was established in 1987, has the following Vision:
Our vision is of a society where there is understanding of the diversity and richness of the faith communities in the UK and the contribution that they make, and where we live and work together with mutual respect and shared commitment to the common good.
Candifa supports this Vision and seeks to advance public knowledge and mutual understanding of the teachings, traditions and practices of different faith and belief communities and promote good relations between persons of different faiths and beliefs in the Canterbury area.
Fuel Poverty
Here are some resources where financial and practical help may be available:
acts435.org.uk
to crowd fund for anyone who has need
Turn2Us.org.uk
grants and schemes available to help you cover the cost of fuel bills and make your home energy efficient
Citizens Advice
grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills
Fuelpovertyresource.org.uk
for householders who are in debt to their energy supplier and struggling to get on top of things should speak to their supplier as soon as possible
National Energy Action
fuel poverty charity
OfGem
to help you find energy grants and schemes that can save energy and reduce your bills
A series of talks, at Canterbury Cathedral, given by those who work with the most vulnerable in our society.
In these talks, on the seven works of mercy, we heard from members of the Diocesan Social Justice Network including those who minister to the most vulnerable in our society, and explored together how we can reflect the compassion and mercy of Christ in our own way.
Works of Mercy Lectures: introduction
Visit the Sick
Give Drink to the Thirsty
Feed the Hungry
Welcome the Stranger
Visit the Prisoner
Bury the Dead
Welcome and Introduction
Social Justice in the Public Sphere
Environmental Justice
