Social Action

Through our dedicated Equippers care team we have been able to use funds from Impact Offering to help church members and those in our local community in financial and practical ways. We have provided cash gifts and grocery vouchers to support families who are out of work, individuals needing to relocate and those going through complicated family situations needing immediate financial assistance.

Throughout the Cost of Living Crisis, the demand for Foodbank parcels has increased. We have partnered with Runnymede Foodbank, contributing towards warehouse rental costs. This has helped 7 local Foodbanks with storage space and allowed them to keep operating. During the first quarter of 2023, the Foodbank provided 24,822 meals - the highest number of meals per quarter in its history!

"Can I just say THANK YOU - this will make all the difference. Such a blessing - I am very humbled and filled with joy" - Cost of Living Support Recipient.

East to West are a Surrey based charity dedicated to bringing hope to young lives. Since the beginning of 2023, they have done 581 sessions with young people in the community, supporting those who were admitted to St Peter's Hospital emergency department because of self-harm injury, overdose or attempted suicide.

Thanks to our Impact Offering donation, the Emerge Project team has been able to train new volunteers and ultimately support more vulnerable youth.

Jane's story: "I met Jane in Ash Ward during one of her impatient stays. Once I introduced myself, she told me that she had been asked if she would like to speak to the team 13 times before and although she had taken our packs and completed the colouring page, she had never said yes and was surprised we had kept offering. Jane told me she had kept each of those colouring pages and the pack that I gave her that evening would be special as it was the first time she said yes and was open to speaking to someone. Since that time, Jane has met many members of our team on different occasions and although she has a specialised care team, she appreciates the casual and friendly conversations our team can offer."

Being part of a church community helps people to build relationships and be part of what's going on and what God is doing! There are at least 40 Iranian refugees who attend Lighthouse Church, many of whom are now regular attendees and serving on teams.

Through Impact Offering, we have been able to partner with Chris and Rachel Huckle at Lighthouse Church in New Malden to support the Iranian refugees with transport to and from church every Sunday. Many of them live a long way from New Malden, but have found a home and a community in Lighthouse Church.

One such person is Esmaeil, who experienced significant trauma as he fled danger and persecution in Iran. He suffered from chronic pain in his back and wrists where he had protruding bones as a result of injuries that hadn't been set properly. Esmaeil came to church where he found comfort and community, and was eager to be baptised. He asked the team to pray for him every week and after a few weeks, all the pain in his back and his wrists had been healed.

Every week, Esmaeil makes the journey across London to arrive early on Sunday morning to help the team unload the van and set up church. He always has a smile on his face, and is often one of the last to leave at the end of the service. He is grateful to God and to the church for giving him hope and joy. His story is one of many.

Once each year, our Connect Groups are encouraged to find practical ways that they can bless the community and demonstrate the love of Jesus. Each group chooses a project or initiative that is dear to them. Groups have helped neighbours and family in practical ways by doing gardening projects, painting houses and doing manual labour. Other groups have created care packages for a women’s shelter, given handwritten cards and home baked goods to local schools and hospitals, and picked up litter.