National Lottery awards funding to grow the Network of Kindness
Together Liverpool are pleased to have been awarded funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, to grow the Network of Kindness initiative over the next three years.
This will help us continue to empower social activists, faith and community groups, to help tackle poverty, injustice, and build community resilience, across the Diocese of Liverpool area.
The Network of Kindness has so far welcomed more than 170 individuals and groups dedicated to social action.
Together we are fostering connection, collaboration and skill-building through workshops, training sessions, and events to help address social justice issues affecting local communities.
Our key areas of focus continue to include food poverty, financial insecurity, support for children and families, displaced people, modern slavery, housing, mental health, the environment and social isolation.
With the support of the National Lottery, the Network aims to reach an even broader audience over the next three years, engaging people of all faiths and backgrounds.
In its first three years, the Network of Kindness worked with 95 churches to map 454 existing social action projects run by churches in 11 deaneries across the Diocese of Liverpool (from April 2021 - April 2024).
The team delivered Learning Community training courses with 26 churches in Sefton North and Huyton, leading to the launch or planned launch of 22+ new social action projects. We hosted 93 workshops and events, engaging 1,692 participants, and nurtured 150+ new partnerships.
We helped provide 13,103 meals for children and families to help tackle school holiday hunger through 91 Feast of Fun activities, and supported the launch of 14 food pantries, which have saved more than £1,400,000 from their members’ shopping bills (April 2024).
We supported 30 projects to become Places of Welcome, offering a warm place for local people to enjoy a free hot drink and company, and produced 36 newsletters highlighting social action events, campaigns and resources.
Autumn 2024 workshops, training & events with the Network of Kindness:
Among the Network of Kindness workshops being offered in autumn 2024 are sessions to introduce members to grant funders, and learn about: welcoming asylum seekers and supporting prison leavers in our communities, offering Places of Welcome, starting up a social enterprise, understanding trauma informed practice, and engaging civic leaders.
Click here for dates, details and links to sign up to our autumn 2024 workshops.
An impact measurement tool is also being developed to help groups measure the difference their work is making, and a storytelling project will highlight the work of local groups.
Rev James Green, Executive Director of Together Liverpool, said: “We are grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for their continued support, allowing us to broaden our reach and engage a wider diversity of groups.
"The Network of Kindness aims to empower our members in their social action efforts, providing the resources they need to tackle shared challenges, seek effective ways to foster resilience and support one another. Over the past three years, we have seen the profound impact of kindness in our communities, and we look forward to continuing this vital work.”
Chair of Together Liverpool, Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon, Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Liverpool, and Canon Chancellor at Liverpool Cathedral, said: “Together Liverpool’s Network of Kindness is a vital initiative that empowers communities to come together in solidarity and action. We believe that every act of kindness can spark meaningful change.
"We’re delighted to receive our second National Lottery grant, enabling us to grow our work helping groups address poverty and injustice. I invite all faith and community groups to join us in this journey, as together we help create a kinder, more just and generous society.”
Rooted in the Church of England, Together Liverpool is an independently registered charity. Initially founded in 2013 as a joint venture by the Church Urban Fund and Diocese of Liverpool as part of the Together Network, the charity continues to receive support from both organisations.
Rob Wickham, CEO of the Church Urban Fund, said: “I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the impactful work carried out by Together Liverpool in our shared mission of promoting social justice and community cohesion. Together Liverpool plays a crucial role, facilitating collaborative efforts among faith-based organisations to address pressing social issues and foster positive change within our communities.”
We invite all social activists, faith and community groups in our area to join the Network of Kindness and be part of this growing movement. Together, we can help make a lasting difference in our communities.