The Compassionate Communities team is launching a number of community ministry toolkits, which outline how to approach various situations and challenges in church community projects.

These are based on some of the most common questions that the team are asked, drawing on good practice in popular ministries (such as food banks and night shelters).

These toolkits are downloadable PDF resource sheets.

  • They are designed for you to download and/or print to share with your church, or to give to those running community projects within the church.
  • They contain information and advice, and relevant guidelines and contacts. They also signpost to relevant external resources.
  • They are intended as introductory “how-to” documents. They should complement and support (rather than stand in for) wider learning on the issues addressed.

You can find all the toolkits together here. 

crates of bread and other groceries on a table in a church building

Among the toolkits launched today are two guides to running safer food banks (and other “open door” ministries such as drop-ins and warm spaces).

Part 1 covers the policies and procedures a food bank or similar project should have in place, to ensure a safe operating environment.

Part 2 considers how to ensure the safety of the people in that environment – especially those at risk modern slavery or domestic abuse.

An upcoming part 3 will look at how to maintain safe premises for a community ministry.


Currently available toolkits:

Running Safer Food Banks (and other “open door” ministries such as warm spaces and drop-ins)

Running a Memory Cafe

Accrediting as a Living Wage Employer

Supporting Refugees with eVisas

 

Coming soon:

Running Safer Food Banks, Part 3: Places

Responding to Rough Sleeping

Modern Slavery Part 1: Awareness in your Community Project

Modern Slavery Part 2: Action to Take in your Church

Helping Someone with an Asylum Claim

Get in Touch

We will be adding to this list over coming months.

If you are part of a church in the Diocese of London, and there are particular situations / scenarios you have encountered in your ministry for which it would be helpful to have a toolkit, please let us know.

You can get in touch with us here.