Hartstongue - Groups, Societies, Charities

In response to globally recognised ecological concerns, across the South West the Church of England is challenging a destructive culture of ease and wastefulness. The national output of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is fully recognised as causing ecological imbalances, and we are putting alarming pressure on valuable resources such as oil, fresh water and soil. At the same time, inequality is growing, not least within the UK, and poverty continues to be a global scandal. We are denying justice to our neighbours, whether our fellow human beings, future generations, and the rest of creation.

This website aims to provide resources to churches and church members who seek to address these issues. It brings together two strands of action: EcoChurch Southwest, promoting green energy; and Shrinking the Footprint, reducing our ecological footprint. We hope you find it useful.

https://ecochurchsouthwest.org.uk/

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ecochurchsouthwest (190)

: Last Updated: 01 March 2021; Hits: 1023

Welcome to Eco Church: A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches in England and Wales who want to demonstrate that the gospel is good news for God’s earth.

Our free online survey and supporting resources are designed to equip your church to express your care for God’s world in your worship and teaching; in how you look after your buildings and land; in how you engage with your local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of your congregation.

The actions you take will count towards a prestigious Eco Church Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. Complete our Eco Survey to gauge where your church currently is in relation to the three different levels; you may find you already qualify for an Eco Church Award!

Our vision is for churches of all denominations to care for creation as an integral part of loving their neighbours and following God faithfully.

Help us bring that vision to reality by participating in Eco Church.

https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/

https://app.ecochurch.org/map

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arochaorguk/ (1.7k)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ARochaUK (3.8k)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arocha_uk/ (1.4k)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQM1rfOoPThgV3dQbVGoSw (138)

: Last Updated: 01 March 2021; Hits: 1028

St David’s Church Ashprington is one of nine churches in the Totnes mission community. The church in Ashprington stands on rising ground above the centre of the village it serves. Most of its current structure dates from the Middle Ages with later additions in Victorian times.

https://ashpringtonchurch.org/

: Last Updated: 01 March 2021; Hits: 936

Devon Communities Together is an independent charity engaged in a wide range of projects and services that support our vision of dynamic Devon communities shaping their own futures.

Our team is focused on inspiring, upskilling, training, supporting and advising groups and individuals to make changes and achieve positive outcomes for their communities. We work with a very broad range of people, from rural and coastal communities to more urban centres, and support them across a wide variety of areas including community buildings, community resilience, affordable housing, entrepreneurship, neighbourhood and community plans, sport and play, health and wellbeing and much more - but our work is always designed to help communities help themselves.

Devon Communities Together is part of the ACRE Network (Action with Communities in Rural England)

https://www.devoncommunities.org.uk/

Devon Communities Together Units 73 & 74 Basepoint Business Centre, Yeoford Way, Exeter, EX2 8LB

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devoncommunitiestogether/ (1.5k)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DevComsTogether (2.4k)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCryADUfcJj7lLA0Btvm33Nw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/community-council-of-devon (248)

: Last Updated: 26 February 2021; Hits: 1012

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why the Exeter Foodbank provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.

Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.

Our foodbank works using a voucher referral system. Find out more about how we work.

We know that anyone can find themselves at crisis point for a number of different reasons.

In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis.

Our foodbank works with a number of different agencies, such as Citizens Advice, Exeter City Council, children’s centres and health visitors. To find out more about the agencies that hold our vouchers and how you can get help, please contact us.

When you visit a referral agency they will take some basic details from you to complete the voucher. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means we are able to prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people. Due to the Covid-19 situation, the majority of referrers to Exeter Foodbank are now also able to make e-referrals – they may be able to assess your situation remotely and give you a referral code via phone, text or email without seeing you face-to-face.

https://exeter.foodbank.org.uk/

Exeter Foodbank PO Box 661, Exeter EX2 5PS

Locations for Clients: https://exeter.foodbank.org.uk/locations/

The Beacon Community Centre Beacon Lane, Beacon Heath, Exeter EX4 8LZ

The Mint Methodist Church Fore Street, Exeter EX4 3AT

For Donations: https://exeter.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food/

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exeterfoodbank (3.9k)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExeterFB (1.4k)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exeterfoodbank/ (1.2k)

: Last Updated: 26 February 2021; Hits: 1312

People Matter is a group at St Andrew’s Church which organises the food bank that serves Cullompton and the surrounding villages of Willand, Uffculme, Bradninch and Kentisbeare. If you, or someone you know, are experiencing hardship which makes it hard to afford food, please ask a local agency for a referral to People Matter. The following agencies can give you a referral: Citizens Advice Bureau, Cullompton Children’s Centre, Local Welfare assistance at MDDC, GP surgeries etc.

The food bank operates at the Cullompton Community Centre, Pye Corner. It is open on Fridays from 9.30-11.30am. Please come to reception at the centre, and they will direct you to People Matter. We will then be happy to help you with food from our store.

https://standrewscullompton.com/getting-involved/serving-others/people-matter/

People Matter Food Bank Cullompton Community Centre, Pye Corner, Cullompton EX15 1JX

: Last Updated: 26 February 2021; Hits: 1221

Crediton Food Bank is a ‘Christians Together in Crediton’ initiative, providing emergency food for local people in crisis in Crediton and the surrounding villages.

There are families in our area that are struggling to put food on the table as for people on low incomes, a sudden crisis – redundancy, benefit delay or even an unexpected bill, can mean going hungry. Every day, parents are skipping meals to feed their children and people are forced to choose between paying the rent and eating. This is even more evident during this pandemic.

The food bank is run entirely on a voluntary basis and operates from the Manse - next door to the Congregational Church in Crediton. Everyone referred is treated with the strictest confidence, by caring, non-judgemental volunteers.

Crediton Foodbank also offers people support such as financial advice, referring and signposting to other agencies, including counselling, and works closely with all agencies in the area including schools. It has been providing support to children normally in receipt of Free School Meals for several years now during holidays.

To use the service:

During the Covid-19 pandemic the Foodbank has become a delivery only service. Should anyone need a food parcel, or perhaps know of someone else who does, then vouchers can be obtained through the normal agencies such as doctors, schools, Citizen’s Advice, CHAT, etc.

Alternatively contact the coordinator direct by phone, text or email.

Donations:

Food donations can be made direct to the Foodbank during opening times or through the collection bins in Tesco, Morrison’s or the Yellow Bookshop. All current needs can be found on our Facebook page.

https://www.creditoncongregational.org/crediton-food-bank

Crediton Foodbank The Manse, Crediton Congregational Church, 98 High St, Crediton EX17 3LF

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/98highstreet (433)

: Last Updated: 26 February 2021; Hits: 1069

Exeter Food Action rescues excess food from shops and suppliers, and redistributes it to charity organisations that feed people in Exeter.

We work with wholesalers, manufacturers and retailers, who supply us with food that they would otherwise throw away. Together we stop perfectly eatable food going to landfill, incineration, anaerobic digestion, or being used as animal food.

All food received is donated to organisations that support more vulnerable people in Exeter, including those affected by hunger, homelessness, family breakdown, low incomes, poverty, benefit uncertainty, abuse, poor nutrition and those receiving palliative care. So we share food with soup kitchens, hostels, food banks, community cafés, schools, hospices, and others. Any group can access our food as long as they are local to us, and do not make a profit from the sale of the food. Food is not resold or given to individuals.

Every year, we rescue over 30 tonnes of food, and save the groups that receive it over £80,000.

Sharing Food * Stopping Waste

Current recipients include… Age UK, Bethany House, Cafe 55, Cranbrook Education Campus, Devon and Cornwall Housing, Esther Community, Exeter Food Bank, Exeter Soup Kitchens Network, FoodCycle Exeter, Gabriel House, Gilead Foundation, Hospiscare, Mortimer House, St James’ High School, St Petrock’s Centre, St Sidwell’s Community Cafe, YMCA

http://exeterfoodaction.org.uk/

Please send correspondence to: Exeter Food Action c/o Diocese of Exeter, The Old Deanery, The Cloisters, Exeter, EX1 1HS

Our warehouse is at: 10 The Space Place, Alphinbrook Road, Marsh Barton, Exeter, EX2 8RG

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/exeterfoodaction/ (1.3k)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/exefoodaction (347)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exeterfoodaction/ (685)

: Last Updated: 26 February 2021; Hits: 1010

CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) have been providing free, impartial support and advice for 25 years. We believe that everyone is entitled to decent, secure and affordable housing – somewhere to call home. Our office is based in Tiverton but our services are available to anyone in the Mid Devon area.

Tackling homelessness, Avoiding Evictions, Bringing Hope

It is difficult for those who have not experienced homelessness, or been at risk of losing their home, to appreciate the impact that such events have on people. When children are also involved, the practical and emotional effects are multiplied, along with serious impact on family relationships. Therefore, the work of CHAT across Mid Devon is vital.

CHAT (Churches Housing Action Team) has been working since 1995 to tackle homelessness, avoid evictions and bring hope to the communities of Mid Devon.

All our services are provided entirely free by a dedicated team of highly trained staff, supported by knowledgeable volunteers.

We believe that everyone is entitled to decent, secure and affordable housing – somewhere to call home.

We give free, impartial and confidential Housing Advice in person, over the phone or by email, and our advisers can act on your behalf where necessary.

With the free support from our Tenancy Support workers we can support you to keep your home and move on with your life.

We can offer current clients Debt and Money Advice where appropriate.

We have a range of essential items to help people in the community, many donated to us, which are distributed at CHAT’s discretion:

For anyone sleeping rough and not able to access housing immediately we have a store of tents and sleeping bags.

For those setting up home we have a store of donated bedding, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils and pots and pans.

Our hardship fund can be used to help with anything from a copy of a birth certificate to a bus fare.

CHAT’s food bank serves the Tiverton area and is open Monday to Friday, 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm. Food parcels are given out at CHAT’s discretion on receipt of a food voucher from referral agencies such as Local Welfare and GP surgeries. Food banks are also based in Cullompton and Crediton churches.

CHAT enjoys the support of committed volunteers and benefits greatly from the generosity of the local community.

https://chatmid.org/

Churches Housing Action Team Coggan’s Well House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton EX16 6LU

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHATMidDevon (1.4k)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chat_mid (52)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/churches-housing-action-team-mid-devon-limited/