The Power of Welcome

SJ resourcing day 20.1.26

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”  John 1 v5

SWP Methodist District Social Justice Resourcing Day 20.1.26

RESOURCES AND ELECTRONIC LINKS TO SUPPORT LEARNING FROM THE DAY

Please find further info, in the order it was delivered linked to the areas covered during the social justice resourcing day.  Please do pass this info onto others who may be interested.

Whilst I did not mention this last Tuesday, the Transformation Cornwall Signposting book directly links you to a variety of local and national organisations that support and help in a variety of ways.  For those living in Plymouth Transforming Plymouth Together will link you into many organisations.  They currently don’t have a booklet but please refer to the following website

https://www.transformingplymouthtogether.org.uk/resources

https://swpmethodist.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Telephone-Signposting-List-Jan-2025.pdf

Homelessness and housing

Please refer to the Social Justice link from the district website which contains lots of information for you to use especially about homelessness and housing.  If you have any further questions or need help and support, please contact me as I do have some direct links into council housing departments.

https://swpmethodist.org.uk/socialjustice/

Sarah Flowerday    sarahflowerday@icloud.com

www.restored-uk.org

Restored is a Christian charity with a vision of a world where women live free from the fear of violence.

Our mission is:To speak up about the realities of violence against women and girls, and to equip the Church to stand against domestic abuse and support survivors.

Since 2010, we’ve been speaking up about violence against women and equipping churches across the UK and beyond to respond to domestic abuse. Our Survivors Network supports over 700 female Christian survivors of domestic abuse, and our Survivors Handbook has proved to be an invaluable resource to those navigating the challenges of leaving an abuser.

It can be hard to believe that domestic abuse happens within churches, but our research devastatingly shows that 1 in 4 churchgoers have experienced abuse in a current relationship. Abuse robs women of their value, security and hope. Survivors have been let down so often by people who were meant to love them, that they can lose their sense of identity and become frightened to even trust God anymore.

Andrew Vaughan   VaughanA@methodistchurch.org.uk

22/01/2026 facilitated online session with Bridget Down

04/02/2026 trainers Andrew Vaughan and Chrissie Slaney venue South Petherton& Crewkerne Circuit

01/04/2026 trainers Andrew Vaughan and Bridget Down venue to be confirmed

08/07/2026 Revd Chris Jackson and Chrissie Slaney venue Mint Church Exeter

Please contact Andrew Vaughan if you would like to book onto any of these courses.  More are advertised on the district website under safeguarding.

Jeremy Ward  grants@swpmethodist.org.uk

Grants for Churches Supporting Community Warm Spaces, Social Justice and Crisis Support Projects

A wide range of grants are available for equipment, resources, capital, and operating costs. As grant availability may vary and criteria change, please reach out to our District Grants Officer for guidance on the most suitable funding sources and application processes.

1. Searching for Grants

Finding suitable grants can be a challenging process. There are some free or low cost grant search resources available.

• The Warm Welcome organisation publishes a grants list. It is useful but non-specific. Definitely worth a look. https://www.warmwelcome.uk/dashboard/resources/fundraising-opportunities
• Methodist Insurance offer a comprehensive list: https://www.methodistinsurance.co.uk/church-fundraising/
• Online search tools can be very expensive to subscribe to. However, Church Grants Online provide an online search tool useful for Churches and community groups, searchable by purpose and county for an annual subscription of £49.00. https://www.churchgrants.co.uk/

2. Available Grants for Churches and Community Projects.

The following grants support churches and community groups creating initiatives to assist local communities. Some grants also allow churches and community projects to provide small crisis support to individuals in need.

• South West Peninsula District Warm Welcome Grant

This District-funded grant supports Methodist churches offering Warm Welcome spaces. Grant amounts vary by the frequency of service provision: monthly: £250; fortnightly: £375; weekly: £500; three or more times per week: £1,000.

To apply, first contact your Circuit Superintendent to refer your Warm Welcome Space for a grant. Once referred, you will receive a simple online application form. For further information, contact: Helen Pearce, District Social Justice Officer: socialjustice@swpmethodist.org.uk or Jeremy Ward, District Grants Officer: grants@swpmethodist.org.uk

• Cornwall Community Foundation – Surviving Winter Fund

Grants up to £5,000 are available to support warmth, health, and activity during winter. Application deadline: March 31.   Details: www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com

• Cornwall Community Foundation – Crisis Fund for Emergency Needs

Supports charities and community groups with small grants for emergency needs. Grants up to £100 are provided to alleviate immediate poverty or hardship, with an initial allocation of £500 for distribution. Additional funds may be requested as needed.

Details: www.cornwallcommunityfoundation.com

• Devon Community Foundation – Small Grants Programme

Funds projects addressing inequality and strengthening community bonds in Devon.

Details: https://devoncf.com/how-to-apply/

• Somerset Community Foundation – Main Grants Programme

Grants up to £5,000 for projects supporting community members requiring additional assistance.

Details: https://www.somersetcf.org.uk/grants-and-funding/grants-and-funding-for-groups/?_gl=1*1tgw9n0*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjAwNDAwMTg1OC4xNzY4ODU0Njc0*_ga_GH4496G74W*czE3Njg4NTQ2NzMkbzEkZzAkdDE3Njg4NTQ2NzMkajYwJGwwJGgw

• NFU Mutual Charitable Trust

Supports rural projects focused on poverty relief and community welfare. Grants range from £1,000 to £50,000, with larger grants aimed at national impact.

Details: www.nfumutual.co.uk/about-us/charitable-trust/

• The Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust

Provides grants of £500–£2,000 for community projects, with a focus on Methodist projects in the southwest. Details: www.stoate-charity.org.uk

• The Benefact Trust

Supports Christian charities and churches in addressing homelessness, poverty, and other social issues. Includes grants for operational costs through their Community Impact Programme.

Details: www.benefacttrust.co.uk

• National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All: Grants up to £10,000 Reaching Communities: Grants over £10,000 (up to 5 years) Supports projects building community connections, improving local spaces, and assisting those affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

Details: www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

• Local Supermarket or other Business Grants

Many supermarkets provide community grants for local projects. Visit their websites to explore eligibility. For example: Asda: https://asdafoundation.org/our-grants/

Morrisons: https://www.morrisonsfoundation.com/grant-funding-request

Tesco: https://tescostrongerstarts.org.uk/

Screwfix: https://www.screwfix.com/landingpage/screwfix-foundation

• Local Councillor Grants

County and Unitary Authority Councillors sometimes have small grants available to support community initiatives in their wards. To explore funding options, you can contact your local councillor directly. Contact details are typically available on your Council’s website. This can be productive for small grants

• Community Benefit Funds

Some infrastructure projects, such as wind or solar energy developments, provide community benefit funds to support nearby communities. These funds are often managed by the local Parish Council, a community steering committee, or the County Community Foundation.

This list provides just a glimpse of the many grants available. To discuss which grants may be the best fit for your Warm Welcome Project, please contact Jeremy Ward, District Grants Officer: Email: grants@swpmethodist.org.uk  Phone: 07543 504641

In addition please refer to these faith based grants

https://swpmethodist.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Funders-Sensitive-to-Faith-Based-Projects-2024_2024-09-05-091404_jyhq.pdf

Steve Webb – Healthy Cornwall  steve.webb@cornwall.gov.uk/ Tel: 01209 615600 | Mob: 07498 059583

My name is Steve Webb, and I am the new Suicide Safer Communities Facilitator for your area. I am writing to introduce myself and to share information about the Suicide Safer Communities pilot programme.This is an exciting new initiative in four Community Area Partnership (CAP) locations across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

-Camel Valley (Bodmin, Wadebridge, Padstow)

-South Kerrier (Helston, Lizard Peninsula)

-North Kerrier and East Penwith (Camborne, Redruth, Hayle)

-South East Cornwall (Liskeard, Looe, Saltash, Torpoint)

It is a community-focused approach to suicide prevention that aims to empower communities to co-produce and implement meaningful, locally relevant actions that promote mental well-being and reduce suicide risk and there is funding available to support this.  The Suicide Safer Communities Framework is a ground-up approach to changing public attitudes about suicide. We aim to reduce the stigma, challenge myths, and get people talking about suicide. It also seeks to increase understanding of when someone is at risk of suicide and raise awareness of how to practically support someone and help them stay safe.

Unlike traditional approaches that focus mainly on professional training or high-risk groups, this programme empowers whole communities to co-produce and implement meaningful, locally relevant actions. The program will use the recognised Suicide Safer Communities Framework to guide local action in areas with higher rates of suicide.

As the facilitator, I will collaborate with local residents and stakeholders to identify community-specific needs and opportunities. This will involve co-producing practical, visible actions—such as wellbeing gardens, support benches, or community signage—that foster connection and resilience. I will also facilitate local workshops as a trained suicide prevention professional and champion community-led change, helping to embed suicide prevention into the fabric of everyday life.

Please link into healthy Cornwall for further training and signposting for you, your church or chapel.

https://www.healthycornwall.org.uk/training/

ASKING ABOUT SUICIDAL THOUGHTS –

Information kindly supplied by Dr Russell Blacker:- Consultant Psychiatrist with many years’ experience of assessing suicide risk, and working in crisis care, and with the Samaritans.  Dr Blacker attended the social justice resourcing day and is a Methodist local preacher from the Lizard and Mounts Bay circuit.

You do not put suicidal thoughts into someone’s head by asking about them. In fact, asking has the opposite effect because you earth the fears back into reality and share the burden.

Most depressed people don’t mind being asked about suicidal thoughts and may be greatly relieved to have the opportunity to talk about them and to learn that although suicidal thoughts are common they will soon disappear when treatment gets underway.

The more elaborate and planned any suicidal thoughts or attempts are the greater the risk of the person acting on them.

Having communicated these thoughts to others is also associated with greater risk.

A previous history of suicide attempt or overdose is a strong risk factor but the most powerful predictor is the presence of hopelessness. Hopelessness is a more reliable indicator of suicide outcome than a diagnosis of depression per se. Hopelessness mediates between depression and whether anyone will actually take their life. It is also the most robust predictor of eventual suicide in those assessed following overdoses. Use the Suicide Intent scale (Beck).

Most people who experience intrusive suicidal thoughts do not attempt to end their life; there are usually powerful reasons not to commit suicide. Identify and discuss those. Maybe use the Reasons For Living scale which measures survival and coping beliefs. (Linehan).

1. How long have they had these thoughts and how often and intrusive is this feeling of wanting to die? Have they felt like this before? How did it turn out? To what extent are they able to resist any suicidal thoughts ?
2. Have they made any previous suicide attempts?
3. Have they thought about a specific method? How detailed are those plans? Have they got – or already obtained – the means to end their life?
4. In those who have recently harmed themselves – what state of mind were they in when they did it? What were their feelings and thoughts? Was the attempt impulsive or planned? Did they leave a suicide note? Did they really want to die? Were they under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time? Has the triggering event or difficulty now resolved?
5. Are they – or have they been – under treatment for any mental illness? What is their current usage of drugs and alcohol? Have they contacted their doctor nurse or therapist?
6. Do they know anyone in their family or a close friend who has taken their own life?
7. Do they know why they’re feeling this way? What life events have their been recently? What are the practical emotional economic or physical issues that contribute to feeling like this? Are any of these issues potentially solvable with a bit of help? What solutions have they tried already?
8. What reasons, if any, have they got for not ending their life? Can they still get some pleasure out of some things? Do they still have some hope that things could turn out OK? Are they able to face each day? Do they ever reach the point of despair and how do they deal with it if they do? Or are they completely lacking in hope?
9. What supports are available to them? To whom can they turn? Have they told their partner or anyone else how they’re feeling? If they don’t have anyone they can confide in is there anyone else they could possibly turn to if they need help? Could they ‘phone this person – would they come over, if needed? Alternatively, would they be prepared to phone you instead?

By the end of assessment you should be in a position to answer the following questions.

1. How likely is it that the patient will kill themselves?
2. Is this a distant or imminent risk?
3. How convincingly is the patient able to reassure you that they are safe until they see you again?
4. What circumstances might occur which might make the situation worse?
5. How willing is the patient to contact you if they get into crisis or feel unsafe?
6. How much of a risk to others do they pose?
7. Do they need to be in hospital? Call 999 or 112 for crisis mental health help.
8. Are they willing to meet with anyone to help them through this time of crisis?
9. How might they contact them if things deteriorate?

Problem-solving counselling is universally helpful. Mindfulness less so.

Everyone has a right to access health services. For some people, this may be more difficult.

We champion the right of every person at risk of hepatitis C in the UK to receive effective testing, treatment and care.

By providing education and support in community, prison and healthcare settings, we work to make sure that no one is left behind in the race to eliminate hepatitis C.

Gill Hemming  Cornwall Peer Support Lead Hepatitis C Trust  (07951935035)

www.hepctrust.org.uk