volunteering (l-x)
Note: some of the following are part of HTB, but most are independent organisations/programmes
Luyando | Medair | Mercy Ministries UK| Mercy Ships | Micah Challenge UK | Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) |Mission Direct | National Christian Alliance on Prostitution (NCAP) | Now Believe | OasisUK | Opportunity International | Pecan | REGENERATE.com | Soul Survivor | Tearfund | The Trust | Waterberg Welfare | West London Churches Homeless Concern (WLCHC) | World Horizons | World Vision | XLP
Volunteering L to X (see A to K)
“The Father’s love a must for all”
Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world. 75% of the population live in extreme poverty. Almost 70% of Zambians still live on under $1 a day. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is currently devastating the country, with 20% of the population infected with the virus. Tragically, more than 600,000 children have been orphaned by the illness. Luyando is a Non Governmental Organization, which has been established with Christian principles to love and to care for the poor.
Luyando currently has two projects running on two farms in Zambia: Cool Bananas Farms outside Ndola in the Copperbelt, and near Livingstone in the South.
Our Mission
To show the love of Christ to the local communities. To empower the communities to become self sustaining. To provide education. To provide housing for orphans. To provide social and economic support to the communities. To provide health and medical support, counseling and rehabilitation services.
The Projects
Community villages with a school, orphanage homes, medical centre, sports field, teachers houses, workshops etc are currently being developed next to the Cool Bananas farms. Luyando Community Church also organises Gospel Outreach in the surrounding areas.
How You Can Get Involved
• Long term mission trips. You could offer your skills in the following areas: project management, teaching, medical care, working with people suffering with HIV AIDS, counselling, business skills training, agriculture /farming practices etc.
• Short term mission: Volunteer with your home group or pastorate. Help with the building of orphan homes, classroom blocks, medical centers.
• Donating items: Clothes, shoes, sports clothes and equipment, toys, books, and learning materials.
Contact: Vicky Aylwin
Phone: 0207 736 9797
Email: Vicky@luyando.org
Web: www.luyando.org
Saving Lives
When crisis hits, we see their faces on the news. But what about those the cameras cannot reach? Medair saves and sustains lives in some of the most remote places on earth.
Medair brings life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, crises, and conflict areas by working alongside the most vulnerable. Inspired by our Christian faith to care for people in need, we provide practical and compassionate support, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Our consistent focus ensures maximum efficiency and accountability, with ISO 9001 certification worldwide. Founded in Switzerland in 1989, our unwavering commitment continues to bring hope to the world’s most vulnerable.
In 2006, Medair served 2.6 million people in urgent need across Africa and Asia. In 2007, Intelligent Giving declared Medair UK their top-ranked faith-based charity in England and Wales.
How to Get Involved
Help us bring life-saving relief and rehabilitation to the world’s most vulnerable, by turning your compassion into action:
• Pray: For our beneficiaries, staff and resourcing. Request a monthly prayer report via email. These include new requests plus updates on how previous requests have been answered.
• Give: Regularly, one-off, through your company, together with others, as you wish… In 2006, it cost an average of just £5 to save or protect the life of each of those we served.
• Volunteer: Make the lives and needs of the forgotten better known by working with us in the office or representing Medair as an Ambassador in your community, workplace, church, and social networks.
• Go: We welcome and invest in staff with and without previous experience in relief work. Visit www.medair.org to apply to attend our week-long training course in the Swiss mountains and discover how valuable your skills really are.
“I first got involved with Medair with “very proper” Christian intentions – to follow Jesus and use the compassion He gives me to serve the needy. In actually doing the work though, I not only see this happening really effectively, but I have found it to be fantastic fun, exciting and stimulating. I always seem to receive more than I give.” Noreen Gilhespy, Medair UK volunteer
If you are interested in Medair, and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: Ben Paine
Phone: 020 8772 0100
Email: united.kindom@medair.org
Address: Unit 3, Taylors Yard, 67 Alderbrook Road, London, SW12 8AD
Web: www.medair.org
Mercy Ministries UK is a national non profit organisation dedicated to providing homes and care, free of charge, for young women between the ages of 16-28 suffering the effects of eating disorders, self harm, abuse, depression, unplanned pregnancies and other life controlling issues.
Mercy Ministries UK provides a 6 month structured residential programme that addresses all aspects of a young women's well being - physical, spiritual and emotional - and includes life-skill training and professional counselling based on Christian principles.
Our goal is to have each young woman not only complete the programme but also discover God's purpose for her life and bring value to the community as a productive citizen.
A recent national inquiry into self-harm reported that 1 in 15 people self-harm and that the UK has the highest rate of self harm in Europe. Eating disorders, depression and attempted suicides are all on the increase in our nation. There is a desperate need for organisations like Mercy Ministries UK to help provide the kind of support that tackles the root causes of these issues, rather than merely medicating the symptoms. We seek to help break that cycle of destruction by helping one young woman at a time find the freedom and restoration in a safe home-like environment; this in turn will positively affect the generation she will parent and drastically reduce the chances of history repeating itself. We believe that this way freedom for one can bring freedom for many.
How to get involved
- Internship: a one-year voluntary placement based at the Mercy Ministries UK home in Bradford
- Advocacy Program: become one of our advocates, representing us to individuals, churches and businesses in your local area and helping us raise awareness
- Prayer Warriors: join our team who commit to praying regularly for Mercy Ministries UK
"Being a volunteer for Mercy Ministries is the most amazing, life changing, challenging experience I have ever had. It's awesome, empowering environment to be in, with the best work colleagues in the world. Also the most rewarding work that I have ever done - to be able to see broken girls transformed by the sheer Love and Mercy of God into healed, whole girls knowing who they are in God, is the most beautiful thing ever. It's such a privilege to be able to be part of that change." Christie, Intern 2007
If you are interested in Mercy Ministries UK and would like to know more please contact:
Contact: Emma Brown
Phone: 01535 642042
Email: info@mercyministries.co.uk
Web: http://mercyministries.co.uk
Mercy Ships, the international, Christian charity, provides urgent surgeries and community development through our new hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, and at land bases in Sierra Leone. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to those in need. Dedicated volunteers from over 30 different nations, provide onboard surgeries for cataracts and corneal growth, cleft lip and palate, benign tumours, orthopaedics, VVF, and other injuries and conditions. Many of those who receive our care have suffered the misery of their condition for years, often outcast from their family and community. Mercy Ships restores health and wellbeing, transforming lives and communities where there are no available healthcare or facilities.
Volunteering opportunities include short and long-term placements for medical and healthcare, dental, marine, engineering, construction, IT, education, finance, administrative, communications, food and crew services.
You need to budget for monthly fees of US$525 or around £263 according to the current rate of exchange, plus flights, insurance, and personal expenses.
Suah Paye, the first patient to be treated on board the Africa Mercy, rejoices at her restored sight, after being blind for three years.
How to Get Involved
• Volunteer: We welcome volunteers to join with us in transforming lives. Please contact us for a volunteering pack and further information.
• Promotional support: Help to raise awareness of our work by organising fundraising events and activities in your area. We can provide information and promotional items.
• Gifts-in-kind: Please contact us if you can offer supplies, materials or equipment needed for our work.
If you are interested in Mercy Ships and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: Mrs Judy Polkinhorn
Phone: 0870 870 7447
Email: info@mercyships.org.uk
Web: www.mercyships.org.uk
Micah Challenge is a coming together of people, in 40 nations across the globe, who want to take up the challenge laid down by the Old Testament prophet, Micah, and speak out against the injustice of global poverty. Micah Challenge UK is working with churches, charities, and others to help people think differently about global poverty, and to empower them to pray, act together and speak out for its alleviation.
This worldwide movement grew out of the need to deepen Christian commitment to the poor and the need for long term commitment to campaign to ensure governments around the world meet eight promises they made in 2000 to alleviate poverty by 2015.
Those eight promised are the Millennium Development Goals and amongst them they include halving the number of people who live on less than $1 a day and achieving primary school education for every child. We have the technology, resources and know-how to eradicate poverty and the Church can play its part by rising up and taking on its God-given role to speak out against the injustices.
Join with us to pray, act together and speak out to see hearts changed, justice done and MDGs met.
How to get involved
Sign the Micah Call: A statement of commitment to ending global poverty. The more people that Micah Challenge UK speaks on behalf of the more powerful its voice will be
Take Five: Five simple actions that help make a world of difference to those living in poverty. Each month get equipped to take action and informed on one of the eight Millennium Development Goals. Then pray about it, take action to see the MDG accomplished and tell others that they can make a difference too! Sign up online to receive the monthly email
Pray: Prayer is a vital component of Micah Challenge UK's work. Check out the website for creative and informative resources to help you pray for Micah Challenge, world leaders, the fulfilment of the MDGs and the world's poor
Get involved: Engage with your MP, involve your church, excite your small group, stir up young people and more. Visit the website to see how you can make the most of the Micah Challenge UK resources
Read the Book: Be inspired and challenged about why Christians should pray, act together and speak out for the alleviation of global poverty and find out what you can do about it in the book, Micah Challenge: The Church's Responsibility to the Global Poor
Micah Sunday: Every October the global Micah Challenge movement celebrates Micah Sunday, an opportunity for churches, groups and communities to hold services dedicated to praying for, standing up for and speaking out the world's poor
"A wonderful encouragement that anyone can make a difference - we must be Jesus' hands and feet." Micah Challenge UK Supporter
"I'm so excited to see Christians stand up for social justice." - Micah Challenge Supporter
"For the first time in human history world governments have made a promise to the poor, now you can help them deliver it. If you want to reduce poverty by half, see a better world for women, children and the most vulnerable then do something about it. Be part of a growing global movement with God's passion for the poor. Join Micah Challenge." Joel Edwards
If you're interested in Micah Challenge UK and would like to know more, contact:
Phone: 020 7207 2130
Email: info@micahchallenge.org.uk
Web: www.micahchallenge.org.uk
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF)
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is a Christian mission working in some of the most disadvantaged countries of the world. Through our supporters, we serve mission organisations, national churches, and individuals in need and relief and development organisations, by providing air transport, information technology and logistics services.
Flying to thousands more destinations than any airline, MAF operates light aircraft in developing countries, so that people in remote areas can receive essential help.
Today, with over 130 light aircraft in more than 30 countries, every three minutes an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere, speeding physical or spiritual care and hope to those living in isolation.
For countless men, women and children cut off by difficult or dangerous terrain, and deprived of basic necessities for a full and healthy life, our planes serve those bringing medical, relief and development services, as well as by sharing the Gospel.
Our mission is to make impossible journeys possible and road hauls of days into flights of mere hours. MAF works in places where flying is not a luxury but a lifeline.
How to get involved
MAF have ongoing opportunities for UK based Area Representatives, Church Representatives, Prayer Group Leaders and Trustees. These roles are vital to MAF in spreading the message of the overseas work we do and for raising much needed prayer support.
Area Representative - Throughout the UK MAF rely upon a team of Area Representatives who spread the message of MAF's overseas work at churches, groups and events in their local region.
Church Representative - MAF Church Representatives represent the interests of MAF in their local church. This can take various forms such as requesting a speaker from MAF to attend a Church event, recommending that church gifts go towards MAF's overseas work, or encouraging your congregation to pray regularly for the overseas work for MAF.
Prayer Group Leader - MAF Prayer Group Leaders are volunteers who co-ordinate group prayer on behalf of MAF's overseas work. MAF see the the role of Prayer Group Leaders as a highly important to the ongoing work of MAF, as prayer is vital to the safety of our pilots, their families and our planes. It is prayer that enables the furtherance of the Kingdom, through what MAF and its partners do in reaching out to isolated people.
Trustee - The Board of Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic oversight of the organisation as we work in partnership within the MAF family around the world. Those with experience in public relations, human resources, governance, fundraising and mission are particularly sought for those roles.
Rev Aidan Burn-Murdoch who has been serving as an Area Representative for MAF writes,
"MAF is a true 'partner in the Gospel' for many organisations - those who serve are dependant on this partnership. It is a real joy when people catch the vision and passion for our ministry. It is a greater joy to know that, as they become prayer partners, they are enabling those who serve to hear about Jesus."
Contact: Allyson Edwards - Supporter Relations
Phone: 0845 850 9505
Email: supporter.relations@maf-uk.org
Web: www.maf-uk.org
Mission Direct
See IT, Breathe IT, Live IT
Looking for something different?
...give us two weeks and we will give you so much more
missiondirect is a Christian mission, founded on prayer and vision, that is passionate in serving the church and God’s family in global holistic mission. We support a number of ongoing indigenous projects around the world in some of the poorest regions. We enable ordinary people to do extraordinary things, by offering very short term mission opportunities - two week programmes - so you can use your holiday time for good and for God. People’s lives are changed through these trips - both the mission volunteers from UK AND those to whom we visit. Mission trips are open to anyone and no special skills are needed. Projects include refurbishing and building street shelters for street children, schools, orphanages, medical clinics, homes. We might assist feeding programmes, evangelism programmes, school lessons, and there maybe opportunity for ministry, prayer, and bible teaching.
For many it may be a first step into mission work. For others it is an opportunity to listen to God, to give something back, see God’s grace and mercy in action. You will join with people from across the world, sharing stories, making life long friendships, while being stretched outside your comfort zone. A missiondirect experience is valuable as a pre-Alpha course for non Christian friends, as well as a post Alpha experience to discover more about mission and Christian service. We have trips to Uganda, Sierra Leone, The Dominican Republic, Brazil and Cambodia, with other possible projects coming on line (in countries such as Moldova, South Africa, and Zambia).
In September 2007, the Alpha team, led by Jude Foster and Clare Mahwinney from HTB, after doing a conference in Sierra Leone, visited a number of missiondirect projects, see photographs..
How To Get Involved
• Join for just two weeks. No skills required and no age limits.
• Come as an individual, a couple or family, or as a pastorate or fellowship group, or a youth group, or a school group. You can of course bring friends, Christian or Not Yet Believers, or someone interested in Alpha or a new Christian having just finished Alpha, to help them see God at work in real and powerful ways.
• Mission Direct organise an all inclusive trip for a fixed cost (around £1350). 100% of all money you raise above this goes to the project. We offer orientation days. Trips will include a cultural experience and the programme may include a day or two out visiting a national park, beach, mountains waterfalls. We will visit the local church.
• Longer 3 – 6 month mission opportunities are available, joining the in-country mission team, hosting, supporting, and leading the visiting Mission Direct Volunteer Teams and co-ordinating indigenous projects and partnering with local Churches.
"It was such a privilege to see the work of Mission Direct and meet the people whose lives were being transformed by Mission Direct's support. They really are reaching out to those who would otherwise have no other hope." Jerry Field, Alpha Sierra Leone Conference, 2007.
“ ‘Jesus commanded us to Go’ so what choice do we have for those who are mobile - Mission Direct offers a rich compacted experience of global mission open for everyone. It is an amazing chance for all ages.” New Wine Radio Presenter (2007)
If you are interested in mission direct and would like to know more, contact:
Phone: 01582 720056
Address: Mission Direct, Suite 6B, Britannia House, Leagrave Road, Luton LU3 1RJ
Web: www.missiondirect.org
National Christian Alliance on Prostitution (NCAP)
NCAP is a collaborative network that exists to unite, equip, and empower groups working with people exploited by prostitution, to offer freedom and change. Established in 1999, NCAP currently works with over 50 organisations across the UK, who offer practical support to individuals involved in prostitution.
Over 40 of these are formally affiliated to NCAP. They operate a diverse range of services reflecting the needs of their client groups: drop-ins, street outreach, prison outreach, court diversion schemes, day centres, and home visits. Together they employ approximately 60 staff and work with nearly 800 volunteers. Over the last few years they have had contact with over 4,000 people involved in prostitution and helped 150 exit safely.
A core aspect of NCAP’s work is enabling affiliated organisations to develop further capacity in order to deliver their services with increasing effectiveness. We do this in a number of ways, some examples are: by hosting an annual conference, running regional training events, and providing resources, advice, and consultancy support. We also aim to provide organisations with a context for mutual support and encouragement, information exchange, sharing of knowledge and experience, and raising awareness of the issues facing those exploited through prostitution.
‘We dream of a life free from oppression, a life that is safe…where we can participate as citizens and…exercise our rights as human beings…’ Survivors of Prostitution and Trafficking Manifesto, Press Conference at European Parliament, October 2005
Stand together with us in bringing hope and the opportunity for change in the lives of thousands of people caught up in prostitution.
‘He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains’ Psalm 107:14
We believe the Church has a significant role to play in three areas:
1. Challenge - we need to be active in challenging cultural attitudes and raising awareness on how the purchase of sex involves exploitation.
2. Protest – we can raise our voice and lobby for appropriate policy changes that ensure that those at risk are protected, those already involved have adequate long term support to exit safely, and criminal gangs are brought to justice.
3. Providing – we are called to provide safe places of welcome, acceptance, friendship, healing, and restoration – Christian community - where lives can be transformed.
How to Get Involved:
• Commit to pray: For those involved in prostitution and for those working to help them exit.
• Volunteer: With a NCAP affiliated project.
• Invite: An NCAP speaker or affiliated project to your church/home group/pastorate.
• Write: To your local MP and/or local newspaper.
• Log on: To our website and associated websites:
www.ncapuk.org
www.breakthetraffic.com
www.gatheredvoices.com
• Buy: A ‘Stop the Traffik’ or freeset bag www.freesetbags.co.uk
"A rewarding, eye-opening experience which made me aware of my own misconceptions about the people NCAP and its affiliates are trying to reach." Volunteer
If you are interested in NCAP and would like to know more, contact:
Phone: 0845 0044231
Email: ncap@ncapuk.org
Address: NCAP, PO Box 37077, LONDON E15 4XR
Web: www.ncapuk.org
God has given us a command:
'As you go, preach, saying, 'the kingdom of heaven is at hand'. Heal the sick, cleanse the leper, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give'. Matthew 10:7-8
'Now Believe' is our response! We are about 'GOING' - the spiritually violent advancement of the Kingdom of God. In doing so, we position ourselved to love and preach supernaturally. The kingdom of God is not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. We press in to see God confirm His Word through miracles, signs and wonders.
We do street missions, evangelistic crusades, ministry to the poor and all sorts - in the evenings and at weekends, in London and elsewhere. We also do short-term international missions.
The only qualification you need is to choose love, believe the Bible and have a hunger and passion to see it happen like He said it would.
Come and join us doing the stuff!
“Now Believe nights have been the most worthwhile evenings I have spent in a while. Instead of forcing God onto innocent bystanders, as I feared, we actually had people come up to us asking to be prayed for! What a privilege to stand with beautiful, fragile people from the street or the local lap-dance club. Many of them already see Now Believe as a reliable source of love, wisdom, and food. I totally recommend turning up for an evening and being ready for anything!” Phil Dunn, volunteer.
How to Get Involved
- Join our teams: volunteer your time, talents, enthusiasm and effort. Come out with us, help organise events, or give admin support (e.g. making sandwiches or helping set up and clear away)
- Prayer and intercession: this is the most essential and precious help that you can give. Pray for our team and specific missions and let us keep you informed with our prayer e-mails.
- Publicity: spread the word and the vision by telling others
- Party: organise a special event to raise awareness and funds
If you are interested in Now Believe and would like to know more:
Contact: Now Me!
Email: nowme@nowbelieve.com
Web: www.nowbelieve.com
Threesixty: We have opportunities for you to give a year of your life and join Oasis at one of our pioneering UK community hubs - it could be a school, a church, an arts centre or even a skate park. Wherever you find yourself, threesixty is always about complete transformation for the whole community - emotional, physical, social, spiritual, environment - holistic, three hundred and sixty degree transformation.
Threesixty is about doing - getting stuck in and and learning on the job, but you will also receive quality training and support and benefit from being part of Oasis as we develop our work in the UK. You'll learn skills from youth work to community development and how to release your creative flair. It's all grounded in good theory and theology and in short, everything you'll do is about living out a real, credible and life transforming Christian faith. Yes, it's volunteering but not as you know it. It truly is life transforming and it'll blow your mind, we promise.
How to get involved
- Join threesixty by contacting Frances using the details below
- Enjoy summer with us volunteering with one of our established youth and community projects - we'll even throw in a weekend of training to boot!
- Volunteer when you can in an Oasis hub nearest you - befriending, cafe work, youth and community work, kids work, festivals,
fundraising events... bring a group from your pastorate for tailor made project - Get a taste of Oasis at one of our 'Taste' open days - hang out with us, check out our work first hand and see if you'd like to do more with us
- Explore our other opportunities including global volunteering and taking your professional skills to another country
- Stay in touch by joining our mailing lists at http://www.oasisuk.org/
"You learn so much about yourself and who you are; and you grow up so much before you've thrown into uni or a workplace. You learn how to deal with people and how to be yourself and you really grow in your faith. It's just brilliant!" Anna, threesixy, Clitheroe
If you want to find out more about our threesixty gap year, browse online or we can send you a pack but the best way is to come to our taste days which has a special gap year stream in it www.oasisuk.org/taste
Oasis is motivate by the life message and example by Christ. We have been providing volunteering opportunities since 1985 and we are one of the earliest pioneers of the Christian Gap Year experience.
Contact: Charlie
Phone: 020 7921 4233
Email: charlie.ferdinando@oasisuk.org
Web: www.oasisuk.org/threesixty
Opportunity International is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and fastest growing microfinance organisations, providing a wide range of financial services and training to poor men and women in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. We provide banking and insurance services to help the world’s poorest people work their way out of poverty.
A micro loan to a poor entrepreneur can be used to start or expand a business, providing an income, dignity of work, and hope for the future. This finance is not a ‘hand-out’, but a small loan. 85% of our clients are women, who often rank among the most vulnerable of the world’s poor, yet tend to be the most successful beneficiaries of microfinance.
With a 98% loan repayment rate, money can be loaned out again and again and again; meaning that donations are constantly recycled.
Opportunity International UK is a member of the global Opportunity International Network. We are the largest charity in the UK specialising solely in microfinance in the developing world.
Number of loan clients: Over 1 million
Average loan size (‘Trust Group’ clients): ₤80 (excl. Eastern Europe)
Average period of loan: 4 months
Each loan impacts: 7 people
Loan repayment rate: 98%
How to Get Involved
Opportunity International is supported by a growing number of supporters who are passionate about poverty alleviation and want to give the poor a working chance. There are many ways you can help!
• Volunteer: Volunteers make an invaluable contribution to our work. We welcome the giving of expertise and time from professionals employed in areas strategic to our vision and mission. Volunteer positions at our Oxford office are advertised on www.opportunity.org.uk
• Become an Ambassador for Opportunity International: If you are passionate about empowering poor entrepreneurs to work their way out of poverty, and would like to make Opportunity International a priority in your giving, advocating, and volunteering, join our Ambassadors’ Network.
• Involve your organisation: Partnering with the poor can be a powerful statement to your church members, employees, customers, or pupils that you are globally minded, ethically accountable, and personally engaged in making this world a better place.
• Go to www.opportunity.org.uk : Check out our website to sign up for e-news, calculate the impact your donation could make, and find out more about what you can do to give poor people a working chance.
“Opportunity International demonstrates very clearly how small loans and other financial services can make an important difference in the lives of the world’s poorest people.” Sylvia Mathews, President of Global Development, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
“The internship with Opportunity International gave me a fantastic insight into the charity sector and has been essential in giving me the experience to secure a full time job at a charity. I would fully recommend it to anyone.” Mike Partridge, intern
Contact us. We’d love to hear from you.
If you are interested in Opportunity International and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: Helen Hofreiter
Phone: 01865 811470
Email: hhofreiter@opportunity.org.uk
Web: www.opportunity.org.uk
Ambassadors’ Network
Contact: Mark Powys-Smith
Phone: 01865 811472
Email: mps@opportunity.org.uk
Pecan is a Christian charity committed to increasing the employability of some of the most disadvantaged and excluded groups across London. It has been running since 1989.
In the last year we have impacted over 4,000 individuals’ lives for good. We achieve our vision of Transforming the lives of people in disadvantaged communities through various training programmes and motivational courses. A large proportion of our work is helping people overcome barriers to employment. Many people face multiple barriers and therefore value the care, attention and time Pecan offers.
We believe that lack of work is also a spiritual problem. It affects all aspects of a person – their emotions, their intellect, and their spirit. It damages their sense of security, their self-esteem, and their feelings of significance. Pecan is committed to working to heal the damage that unemployment causes.
Over its 18 years Pecan has run a variety of projects tailored to the needs of the community which have included training courses for: people recovering from mental illness, Refugees and Asylum Seekers, young people excluded from school, Deaf and hard of hearing, ex-offenders and people on Incapacity Benefit.
We are committed to extending our services and activities to reach out to the hardest to engage groups through developing effective partnership arrangements with churches in the London region.
How to get involved
Pecan’s success owes a great deal to the passionate people that give their time freely as volunteers. If you are interested in playing a part in the ongoing transformation of lives in London through the practical demonstration of God’s love for them then please consider getting in touch. The opportunities include:
- Mentoring Ex-offenders
- Assisting ESOL & Literacy tutors during lessons,
- Being the first face clients and visitors see when they visit by volunteering at our Welcome Desks
- Helping our external communications through mail outs and events
Where necessary appropriate training is provided.
COMMENTS FROM VOLUNTEERS
I came to Pecan as a student to improve my computers skills. Little did I know then that I would still be around 5 years later not as a student but as a volunteer IT tutor holding my own class. Pecan is such a peaceful place to work, everyone makes you feel like part of a great big family. I felt so inspired by the way tutors supported their students and how they really had a passion to teach. This has inspired me to reach out to people with both love and compassion. I enjoy imparting the knowledge that I have gained over the years and it is a pleasure to serve God and his people.
Jo, Volunteer
It’s a joy knowing I’m serving Jesus in what I do. The Spirit of God is really evident here. Everyone gets on well with one another and the clients really appreciate our support.
Janet, Volunteer
Contact Mark Scutt,
Phone 020 7732 0007 Email volunteering@pecan.org.uk
REGENERATE, based on the Alton estate in Roehampton, SW London, is a Christian charity that has been established to demonstrate the Gospel to children, young people and their families, living in areas of high deprivation on London council estates.
Most REGENERATE volunteers live and work on the estates, and are seeing first hand a move of God on the lives of many children and young people.
How to get involved
We are looking for volunteers at all levels, both with the children and young people in various activities and clubs, and also with administration and fundraising. We are also looking for people to support through prayer.
An example of some of our existing projects are:
Super Mums: A drop in for Mums and their young children, where the Mums get pampered and build friendships with other Mums.
Sure 24: A weekly children’s Church for 5-11 year olds. Every week dozens of children from the estates are praying together and learning more about Jesus.
Football Clubs: Every week we run sessions for 7-17 year olds; an opportunity for young people to come off the street and improve their ability, have fun, and build relationships with positive role models.
Juice Bar drop-in: We have a drop-in centre on the Alton estate, where young people can be in a safe place together, play pool, table tennis, go on the computer, play games, make music, and chill out together.
There are also HIP HOP gospel nights that take place every Friday after the drop-in.
Trips to work with street kids in Kenya: We have begun taking young people, who are ‘at risk’ of getting involved in a culture of crime, drug dealing, and violence, to work in Kenya with street children. This has been some of our most effective work yet, with young people being transformed through these trips (see www.regenerateuk.co.uk)
The City Lightz bus: We have a Double Decker bus and are converting it into a top quality mobile youth centre that will serve five different churches in taking hope to young people on five different estates each week.
"Before I became a volunteer with Regenerate, I didn't have a relationship with God but I did attend Regenerate clubs. This summer I went to Kenya to help on a project working with street kids. It had a big impact on my life. I have made a relationship with God and my life has changed. I am now getting involved with a mentoring scheme, a football club, where I'll be coaching younger children, and also working on projects that will raise money for the street kids in Kenya. Regenerate is a good organisation that gives young people opportunities". Chris Riordan, volunteer
If you are interested in Regenerate and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: Andy Smith
Phone: 020 8878 4301
Email: andy@regenerateuk.co.uk
Web: www.regenerateuk.co.uk
Soul Survivor is a Christian youth initiative that organises conferences and events for thousands of young people every summer and throughout the year. Born out of the New Wine conferences, Soul Survivor has been equipping, resourcing and releasing young people into relationship with Jesus since 1993. The 2005 summer events saw almost 23,000 people gather in Shepton Mallet over three separate weeks focussed around worship of God, biblical teaching and ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Soul Action
Also during the summer of 2005, Soul Survivor launched a brand new sister charity, Soul Action. With support from Tearfund, Soul Action is hoping to inspire, challenge and equip Christian young people across the world to connect their hearts with their actions. Picking up the call of Micah to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God”, Soul Action aims to offer us opportunities to get involved and serve those whom our society views as “the last, the least and the lost”. By creating a network of people committed to serving their friends, schools, colleges, universities, towns, cities and world, Soul Action aims to see lives changed through practical loving action.
How to Get Involved
• For Soul Survivor: We’re always looking for people to come along and help out at our events. We have amazingly diverse roles on teams, including everything from catering through to prayer and ministry, so if you’d like to be involved we’d love to hear from you.
• For Soul Action: If you are interested in getting involved with Soul Action there are loads of opportunities. Whether it be through prayer, campaigning, giving time, money and resources, or simply getting out there to serve then get in touch to see what’s going on.
"I worked in the café and during my week [at Soul Survivor], there I saw God working through so many people in so many ways. The team I worked with was such a blessing, so many genuine and interesting people, willing to help and befriend anyone who needed it." Gemma 24, Soul Survivor volunteer
“What can I say…a totally life changing experience. I think the best way to sum up my experience is through the story of a boy who has touched my heart. He was tough, boisterous and ran around hitting, kicking and fighting but was also shy not saying a word to anyone. One of the team noticed he had a bleeding gash on His toe and called me over. The fact that we noticed it and cared about him calmed him down, I then led him to the water pump and washed his foot. There was nothing to dry if with so I untied the jumper from around my waist and dried it with that and then applied a plaster. The look in his eye said it all…no one had ever gone to, what to me was a simple task, but to him was such trouble to care for him. From that day on whenever he saw me he came running, launching himself at me, sometimes climbing on and play fighting with me, sometimes quietly walking at my side or holding my hand. He taught me that the most important things in life are to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God” Micah 6:8.” Sarah Taylor, Soul Action volunteer
If you are interested in Soul Survivor and/or Soul Action and would like to know more, contact:
Phone: 0870 054 3331
Email: info@soulsurvivor.com
Web: www.soulsurvivor.com/uk
Soul Action
Phone: 0870 054 3331
Email: info@soulaction.org
Web: www.soulaction.org
Poverty wrecks lives all over the world. But God is a big God, and where people are suffering his church is there, in the front line, showing the love and compassion of Jesus to those who have no other hope.
At Tearfund we are Christians passionate about the local church bringing justice and transforming lives overcoming global poverty.
And so our ten year vision is to see 50 million people released from material and spiritual poverty through a worldwide network of 100,000 local churches.
To do this, we work in partnership with evangelical Christian churches and groups in more than 60 countries, providing emergency help at times of disaster, helping poor communities with long-term development, and speaking out to challenge injustice.
We depend on the prayer and giving of individuals and churches in the UK and Ireland – and on a network of volunteers who share our passion to see poverty and suffering overcome in the name of Jesus.
How to get involved
With Tearfund, you’ll have the opportunity to use your gifts, experience, and creativity to help change people’s lives:
• Be in your church: Be your pastorate or home group’s link with Tearfund – keeping them in touch with world needs and encouraging them to make a Christian response to poverty part of their discipleship.
• Be a speaker for Tearfund: Take the message of hope and transformation into churches and groups and get people excited about God’s compassion for poor people.
• Be a media person for Tearfund: Develop contacts with local media in your area and get stories of the amazing things God is doing around the world into the press, TV, and radio.
• All these roles are flexible: The amount of time you give depends a lot on your own initiative. But you won’t be on your own – we’ll give you support and the information you need.
• Overseas Opportunities for Pastorates: Why not do something really amazing with your pastorate this year...HTB and Tearfund have teamed up to provide exciting new opportunities for pastorates to take part in overseas projects. Tearfund will organise the entire trip on behalf of the pastorate, including country/project briefings, medicals, post-trip debriefings, accommodation, help with fundraising ideas, visas, flights etc. The projects can be for just a few days or much longer, and there are many countries to choose from. Tearfund can also help arrange 'eco/ethical' holidays on the end of your trip, e.g. a few days at an eco-friendly safari park. Also, if you want, we may be able to organise for you to run an Equip & Refresh Alpha training day for local churches while you are there. If you would like to know more, please contact the HTB Social Transformation team at Social.Transformation@htb.org.uk
If you want to help in other ways not mentioned here, please get in touch.
"It's been a wonderful privilege to work with Tearfund. To have had the opportunity to see first hand all that they are doing in the developing world has been both inspiring and challenging. We highly recommend volunteering and supporting the work of Tearfund worldwide." Tim & Rachel Hughes
“Quite simply, Tearfund has offered me an authentic way to live out the Gospel, amongst a community of people serious about God’s call to bring about justice. Many of Christ’s words have rolled glibly off my tongue without much meaning; Tearfund has offered me the opportunity to truly experience what it means to follow Christ. Working with Tearfund to assist the poor has demanded the best of me, and truly, in transforming the lives of others, it is I who is being transformed.” Bruce Wilson, volunteer
If you are interested in Tearfund and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: Yioula Taliadorou
Phone: 020 7745 7358
Email: Yioula.Taliadorou@tearfund.org
Web: www.tearfund.org
The Trust works on the World’s End estate, West London, home to around 3000 people, where some 50 languages are spoken. The Trust runs English classes for speakers of other languages (ESOL), study support for children and teenagers, computer training courses for adults and children during the week, as well as community lunches, Alpha, and discipleship groups.
How to Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved, both with your pastorate and as an individual, including:
Children:
• Breakfast Club: Monday 8-9am.
• Homework ICT Club: Tuesday, Thursday 3.30-4.30pm.
• Kat Klub: Sunday 2-4pm.
• Mentoring children: If you can commit an hour a week, you might be able to help by mentoring a child from the area – there is a huge need for this type of support.
Young People
• IT Teenz: Computer drop-in and chat, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 4.30-6.30pm.
• Youth Alpha: Wednesday 5-7pm.
• Sport and other activities: Sunday 3-4.30pm.
Adults
• Teaching to cook: Thursday 10am-12 noon.
• Prayer drop-in: Thursday 2-3.30pm.
• Community Lunch: Wednesday, Thursday (single mothers) 12-2pm.
• Adult Computer Classes: We are looking for people to come alongside adult learners and assist them in computer classes (times of classes vary).
• ‘Besom’: There are endless opportunities to come as a group to paint or clean flats through Besom.
“Getting involved with the teenagers on Worlds End has really encouraged me by seeing what God is starting to do in their lives”. Lucy Fishenden, youth pastor.
“Participating in mentoring a child from World's End has really been a rewarding experience for both myself and the boy I mentor. It provides him an opportunity to interact with a male adult in a fun and positive environment, whether it's playing football in the park, going to the cinema, or just talking together. This relationship is very important to a boy's development and is often missing in single parent families. I also really enjoy the time we spend together - at times, almost reliving some of the fun I had when I was a boy. It’s a real win-win situation for us both - it helps me mature in my responsibility, kindness, and patience and he is being blessed. Seeing his bright smile and enthusiasm each time we meet is a real joy!” Phil Lemmon, Mentor
If you are interested in The Trust and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: The Trust Office
Phone: 020 7352 3368
Email: email@trtrust.com
...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me
something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you
clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...
Matthew 25 v35-36
Situated 3 hours north of Johannesburg in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, the Waterberg Welfare Society (WWS) was formed in 2000 primarily to provide help and support to those individuals infected and affected by the pandemic HIV/AIDS.
From its base in the town of Vaalwater, WWS provides:
• Educational Prevention & Awareness Workshops in HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB, Drugs & Alcohol Abuse and Teenage Pregnancy
• Home Community Based Care
• Hospice/Respite Palliative Care
• Voluntary Counseling & Testing
• Orphans & Vulnerable Children Programme
• Support Groups for people living with HIV/AIDS and TB
• Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
• Antiretroviral Treatment Rollout & Monitoring Programme
How to get involved
• Pray: For staff, board members, volunteers and those we serve in the community. Send us your email address and we will send you our quarterly prayer requests.
• Volunteer:
Medical Doctors and Nurses are always needed.
IT People
Volunteers to help with Youth/Children camps (minimum of 6 volunteers)
“After only two days working here I’m already blown away by the incredibly special people that work there –both black and white – caring for all aspects of these people’s wellbeing, and aiming to educate and support the community in dealing with this awful crisis of AIDS and HIV in South Africa.” Alex White, volunteer, July 2007
If you are interested in Waterberg Welfare Society and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: Joy Baber – Project Manager
Phone: + 27 (0) 14 755 3646
Email: wws@esnet.co.za
Web: www.waterbergwelfaresociety.org.za
West London Churches
Homeless Concern (WLCHC)
The work of the WLCHC brings the homeless and vulnerable from the streets, into our churches to feed, clothe and support them. This practical help we offer them is an expression of our Christian faith, just as much as our prayers and worship. WLCHC also goes beyond providing essential accommodation and meals to our guests by offering them access to a formal case working programme. From November to April we offer the only night shelter provision in the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham. Our Night Shelter project is not only the largest of its kind (we provide over 1000 bed spaces per month and approximately 1500 meals per month, including breakfast), but also is one of the largest ecumenical projects in the capital.
How to Get Involved
• Night Shelter (November to April): the shelter runs at a different church in west London each night, including SPOS. We may need help with preparing and serving food; we also welcome volunteers with specific skills they can offer to the guests, such as hairdressing; or perhaps you play an instrument and could provide entertainment over dinner. Alternatively, you could just come along to chat to the guests and help them feel welcome. An ongoing commitment is preferred (e.g. 3 hours, one night a week), but you would also be welcome to help out on an occasional basis.
• Laundry Service: we offer a laundry service during the day on Tuesday and Thursday at Chelsea Methodist Church (on the Kings Road) and volunteers are always welcome.
“A sense of family grows throughout the season – staff, volunteers and guests together – and the time spent helping there becomes a deep source of satisfaction.” Volunteer
If you are interested in WLCHC and would like to know more, contact:
Contact: The Senior Project Manager
Email: wlchc@wlchc.eclipse.co.uk (Please include your phone number when contacting WLCHC.)
World Horizons establishes culturally relevant and self-sustaining churches among some of the world’s most unevangelised people and helps to grow existing local churches. We aim to play our part in the completion of the great commission to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to every people. We currently have over 400 volunteer workers in more than 40 countries. For more information, please visit our website.
How to Get Involved
• Short term: World Horizons is fully committed to providing short-term opportunities for individuals and groups to take a step out of their usual life and take an adventure with God. Whether you are interested in a two week prayer trip, a 10 week truck trip, or a Gap Year.
• Long term: If you are considering being involved in mission on a long-term basis and you would like to contact us to discuss the opportunities at World Horizons, please email us at the address given below.
• Youth: We firmly believe that young people have a great part to play in reaching the world for God. World Horizons aim to do as much as we can to see the younger generation develop personally, see their giftings released into the world, and play their part in seeing the nations hear about God. If you are interested in taking a Gap Year, a short trip abroad, bringing a group on an outdoor pursuits camp, meeting other like-minded students, praying for countries, or generally finding out more about opportunities we have, please check out our website for more information.
"I found working with World Horizons a life altering experience - it was a year in my life that changed the way I think about God, mission and myself!...It was amazing receiving practical teaching from missionaries with years of experience in different cultures and places, and also just having the opportunity to serve, travel, and have some great laughs!" John Rose, World Horizons 'Gap Year' volunteer
If you are interested in World Horizons and would like to know more, contact:
Phone: 01554 750005
Email: enquiries@worldhorizons.co.uk
Web: www.worldhorizons.co.uk
World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organisation, dedicated to working with children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.
Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people no matter what their religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
As one of the world’s leading humanitarian and development agencies, currently working with 100 million people in nearly 100 countries, World Vision works to change the root causes of poverty through campaigning, church partnerships, education, and influencing policy makers.
Whatever we do, we place a special emphasis on ensuring the needs and rights of children are met, because they are often the hardest hit by conflict, disaster, and chronic poverty.
“Visiting Kenya with World Vision was life changing for us - we returned to the UK as different people - humbled by the examples of compassion, service and love that we had witnessed from the local church in Kenya. But we also returned resolved to make a difference ourselves - to the situation in Kenya but also the situation in the UK. We returned home with a fresh belief that the local church really is the hope of the world. Why? Because we had seen it with our own eyes!”
Dave Richards, Church leader
“Jesus calls us to serve the poor and he preached a radical gospel of social change. If we grasp the issues we could make a real difference in society and that’s why I volunteer with World Vision as a Specialist Speaker.” Ken Clarke, Specialist Speaker------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to get involved
• Pray: The surest way to be involved in the fight against poverty and to help World Vision as together we fight poverty is to pray. Download your prayer guide at www.worldvision.org.uk/prayer or call 01908 84 10 10.
• Learn more: Take2 is a growing initiative to awaken the church in the UK to the issue of HIV and AIDS. A stunning DVD resource, A Journey of Hope, is available free of charge to all churches – order yours today by visiting www.worldvision.org.uk/take2 or by calling 01908 84 10 10. Further resources can be found at www.worldvision.org.uk/learn.
• Campaign: You can help to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice worldwide by becoming a World Vision campaigner. Public opinion is vitally important in getting governments and other decision makers to change the way they do things, including taking crucial decisions which affect the lives of the poor.
If you are interested in World Vision and would like to know more, contact:
Phone: 01908 84 10 10
Email: info@worldvision.org.uk
Web: www.worldvision.org.uk
XLP’s aim is to meet the social, educational and behavioural needs of young people, many of whom have had low achievement, high absenteeism, poor behaviour, low ambition, and lack of citizenship. XLP is an established project which works with young people in inner city schools in South and East London. The project has a Christian ethos and is backed by a number of local churches. XLP also works with churches in South and East London, around the UK, and worldwide, to help them to develop their work with young people and in schools. XLP is committed to showing God's love to young people in a culturally relevant way, through relationships, the arts and multi-media presentation.
How to Get Involved
Many schools and communities are asking for our help, but sometimes we have to say no. By giving your time you can help support, resource, and release our trained youth workers in the work that they are doing, helping us reach more young people and communities every year. There are loads of ways you can help us out, here are some examples:
• Help directly in schools: With reading support or lunch clubs.
• Help on the XL-R8 bus project: A children’s and youth work centre which operates on various estates in SE London, running after school and homework clubs. (You may be able to bring a particular skill – in the past we’ve had volunteers who have focused on arts and crafts or sport!).
• Provide professional skills: Consultancy, legal, design, marketing.
• Help with admin work in the office: We can always do with an extra pair of hands.
• Helping steward at one-off events.
• Be a roadie or part of the technical team on a schools tour.
• Help in the development of our Arts training: We could do with people who are involved in the Arts – musicians, dancers, singers, music technicians – to help train young people and support our arts team.
• We are always on the look out for people who speak other languages: Help in homework / after schools clubs and lunch clubs / reading support. (We’ve had requests for Chinese and Spanish speakers from various schools.)
If you can give some time, then we have a place for you - and hopefully it will be a rewarding experience for you too. You'll be amazed at the variety of help we need. Our work is predominantly based in Lewisham, Southwark, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets, and Newham, so for people in those areas we are very easily accessible; however some volunteers come from much further afield. We have had help for as little as a day, from all over the world, so if you only have a little time to offer it’s still really valued.
“It is a privilege to be part of a team that finds ways to solve some of society’s problems in a daring and fun way. I’ve been involved in running an after schools club on the bus on a deprived estate since it started 2 years ago. It’s been great seeing kids becoming confident as part of a group where there was nothing before. We’ve played board games, computer games, helped with homework and chatted about all sorts of issues in their lives”. Maggie Morris, volunteer
“I found my time volunteering with XLP incredibly rewarding! XLP’s creativity and energy was incredibly inspiring and it was great to feel part of a team that has such a positive message to share! The relationships that I formed with the amazing young people we were working with made the whole experience of volunteering very special.” Jessie Prior, volunteer
If you are interested in XLP and would like to know more, contact:
Email: info@xlp.org.uk
Phone: 020 8297 8284
Web: www.xlp.org.uk
Environment
Interested in the environment? Try these links:
A Rocha
http://en.arocha.org/ukmembers/index2.html
A Rocha is an international conservation organisation working to show God's love for all creation with projects in Portugal, France, Lebanon, Kenya, Czech Republic and Canada. It has field centres in some countries. It organises Conservation Sunday in the UK and the A Rocha UK project in London.
The Christian Ecology Link
www.christian-ecology.org.uk
Offers insights into ecology and the environment to Christian people and churches.
The European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN)
http://www.ecen.org
The ECEN was formed in Oct 24 1998. It has links to and descriptions of some Christian Environment Groups or Environment branches of Christian churches in many different countries in Europe. Some of these organisations have some useful sections in English about ideas and activities.
Creation Care
www.creationcare.org
EEN is a unique evangelical ministry whose purpose is to "declare the Lordship of Christ over all creation" (Col. 1:15-20). EEN was formed because we recognize many "environmental" problems are fundamentally spiritual problems.
Eco-Congregation
http://www.ecocongregation.org/
Eco-Congregation is a programme for churches to help them take spiritual and practical steps to care for God's creation. It developed from a partnership between the environmental-awareness charity Encams, formerly Going for Green, and the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
Politics
Interested in politics? Try these links:
It is easy to write to your MP (and councillor and MEP): use the following site www.writetothem.com. Also check out www.theyworkforyou.com
Christians in Politics
www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk
In 2001 the recognised Christian groups in the three main political parties (see below) came together to set up Christians in Politics, with the following aims: to recruit Christians into maintstream political parties and their recognised Christian groups; to teach Christians how and why they should participate in government and politics; and to encourage and resource Christians who are members of the three major political parties.
Conservative Christian Fellowship
www.ccfwebsite.com
The CCF exists to be a vibrant Christian witness within the Conservative Party. There are three key focuses to the work of the CCF: first to train, equip and support its members; second to provide a relational bridge with the Conservative Party; and, third, the CCF is a fellowship founded on prayer.
Christian Socialist Movement
www.thecsm.org.uk
CSM offers space for Christians to come together to help shape the political agenda. Affiliated to the Labour Party, and with members in the Commons, the Lords, on local councils, and in trade unions, and constituency Labour parties, CSM aims to ensure that the Christian voice is heard in politics, and to be an effective voice for social justice.
Liberal Democrat Christian Forum
www.ldcf.net
The Liberal Democrat Christian Forum is a support organisation for Christians in the Liberal Democrats. Its aims to encourage and enable Christians in their constructive work in politics. LCDF is a voice of Christian faith in the Liberal Democrats, and a voice of Liberal Democracy among Christians.
