Caritas Anchor House is a 140-bed hostel operating in response to the growing issue of homelessness in the borough of Newham, East London, where 1 in 23 people have nowhere to live – the highest rate of homelessness in the UK.

 

£6,000 Benefact Trust funding will help to complete the renovation of the ground floor which consists of training and community spaces. The newly refurbished space will make the hostel better equipped to provide its support services for mental health and wellbeing, financial management, education, volunteering and life skills – all in an effort to help people experiencing homelessness to build a brighter future for themselves.

 

The Church or Our Lady of Lourdes sits on an island off the West Connemara coast. The island is one of five that make up a large proportion of the Irish speaking Gaeltacht. The parish is socially, economically, and geographically disadvantaged as well as being isolated from the mainland. The church is an important part of the community and provides vital support, but unfortunately it is in need of essential repairs.

 

A £4,500 Trust grant will enable the church to replace the church roof and ensure the church remains at the heart of the community.

 

 

Ashbourne Elim Church is relocating to a new, larger building with the support of a £15,000 Benefact Trust grant.

 

The church was established in 1923 in a small mission hall. In 2011, it moved to a new purpose-built building for the growing congregation. However, the church soon realised the new space wasn’t big enough for its children and youth work and second hand porta cabins were added to the rear of the building as a temporary measure. As the church continues to grow it is now time to move on so that the church’s fantastic work can thrive.

 

£2,250 funding from the Trust will support St Michael and All Angels Church to build a lodge in the corner of the churchyard to provide essential accommodation for children’s work and much needed facilities for the congregation and community.