A Year of Impact: Reflecting on Our Social Action Projects
As we move towards the end of the year and begin to slow down to celebrate Christmas & all that it means, we take a look back on the whirlwind of some of the activities and meaningful endeavors that have taken place and defined our Revive Social Action projects in 2023.
We couldn’t of course cover everything but here’s a snapshot!
Christmas Experience across all sites
The Christmas season unfolded across all our sites like a tapestry, woven with carols, animals, food, crafts, and heartfelt connections. Our Christmas Experiences were a great time of celebration and we had the privilege of inviting many of the families we have been coming alongside this year to experience the warmth and joy of the season. It was a joy to see so many new & familiar faces with a smile, enjoying the festivities of the season.
Christmas Celebrations:
Our Revive Christmas Party is always a highlight for us & at the beginning of December we provided an afternoon filled with fun, food, and festivities. Local families immersed themselves in activities such as treasure hunts, Dingbats, and a Christmas Quiz, creating fond memories & family unity that we hope will be cherished for years to come. Testimonies from two of our community members who have faced life challenges highlighted the transformative power of faith and love.
The innocence of children, as they made Gingerbread houses and Christmas cards, captured the pure joy of the season. A poignant conversation between some of the children emphasized the importance of faith and prayer, providing solace in times of sadness and reinforcing the belief in a God that watches over us all.
From Kerith with love:
Your donations towards our Christmas Appeal have been truly heartwarming!
The generosity and kindness demonstrated by our community has allowed us to provide local families facing hardship over £1800 worth of One4All Vouchers!
This is not just a gift of material value but also a gesture that respects their dignity and empowers them to make choices during the festive season. The ability to choose presents for loved ones or festive food for themselves is a wonderful way to bring joy and normalcy to those who might be experiencing challenges. It's evident that the spirit of giving has made a significant impact on many lives during this Christmas time.
A big congratulations and heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this initiative. Your generosity has undoubtedly made a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need, spreading the true spirit of Christmas. May this act of kindness bless you & inspire more community involvement and compassion into 2024 and beyond.
Winter Hamper Donated by Tesco
Winter Hamper Giveaway: A Moment of Joy:
Adding a touch of excitement to the season, we launched a Winter Hamper giveaway, thanks to the kind generosity of Tesco, Martins Heron.
The fortunate recipient was the lovely Kerry from Bracknell. This small gesture radiated happiness, reinforcing the idea that even the simplest acts of kindness can make a significant impact during the winter months.
Empowering Teams Through Conferences:
Recognizing the importance of continuous improvement, our teams dedicated time to attend conferences aimed at refining our skills and strategies. Partnering with national charities such as Christians Against Poverty, The Trussell Trust, Jubilee+, Kintsugi Hope, TLG & more, these opportunities for connecting, growth and learning, empower us to enhance the impact of our Social Action projects, ensuring that we evolve in tandem with the ever-changing needs of our community.
Community Collaborations and Outreach:
The heart of our mission lies in collaboration, and again this year, we've had the privilege of working with & partnering with so many amazing local organisations, groups & charities. Our collective efforts have resulted in the distribution of nearly 80 tonnes of food with a value of over £176,000 and we have been hugely blessed to have received over £57,000 in grant funding to support our food poverty initiatives. This alongside numerous donations of both food and finances from local groups, businesses & individuals has meant we continue to be sustainable in supporting local residents facing financial hardship and be a beacon of hope.
To everyone who has donated in any way we are immensely grateful - THANK YOU.
Our CAP Debt team have have worked with over 60 families to help them become debt free and bring about hope and a different outcome to their lives.
We have provided Money Management Workshops, Life-Skills Workshops, Mental Health Wellbeing Courses, Addiction and Life Controlling Habits groups, signposting services, advocacy and support, continuing to be dedicated in addressing the holistic needs of our community. Our outreach has been comprehensive, touching the lives of thousands and providing essential resources to those in need.
Thanks to many peoples donations towards the Kerith Cost of Living fund we have been able to distribute shopping vouchers to families in need which has been a lifeline in providing much needed support during challenging times.
We’ve been able to provide warm spaces and nourishing lunches through our Revive Café which is open every Tuesday, thanks to our amazing team of volunteers. Guests have participated in quizzes, bingo & craft activities creating a sense of safety, community and belonging for many.
We have launched our own ‘Kerith Revive Voices’ project in partnership with Jubilee+, to hear from local residents who are facing financial hardship and learn from them to uncover any barriers that may be in the way from accessing the help and support needed. The lessons we are learning through these conversations are invaluable & we have already made changes to improve how we do things to remove some of these barriers. We’ll continue to develop this focus group into 2024 to bring about new initiatives to fill any gaps in areas of need.
If you’d like to read more about the feedback received from the initial Voices project you can view the short report here
Diverse Engagements: Prisons, Schools, Royalty, and MP's
Our commitment to community outreach has taken us into prisons and schools, creating spaces for dialogue, support, teaching and transformation. Hosting royalty and Members of Parliament reflects the recognition of our efforts at the highest levels, underscoring the importance of our work in building a compassionate and inclusive society.
Winter Coat Exchange, Meet & Greet and 'No Questions Asked Bags':
Addressing the pressing issue of winter cold, our Farnborough site initiated a Winter Coat Exchange, allowing individuals to donate or acquire coats to stay warm as the winter draws in.
The provision of our new ‘Meet & Greet’ drop in at Farnborough, launched by our CAP Debt team, has also provided a life-line to many local residents, creating a space to reduce loneliness, get advice, support & make make new friends.
We have launched our 'No Questions Asked Bags' which is essentially a food pack that anyone experiencing financial hardship can take - no questions asked of course! These small gestures of love to serve our neighbours ensure no one gets left behind during these challenging times.
West Wight's Reverse Advent Calendar
West Wight's Reverse Advent Calendar:
In the spirit of giving, our West Wight site participated in a Reverse Advent Calendar for the Isle of Wight Food Bank. The team were absolutely blown away by the generosity of our amazing community. Our Christmas elves, in the form of dedicated volunteers, filled their "sleighs" (aka cars) with goodies for struggling families on the island. This initiative encapsulates the essence of our mission—coming together as a community to support those in need, especially during the festive season.
Thank you Isle of Wight Foodbank for all that you do to serve people across the island.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
As we conclude this reflective journey of Social Action across our sites, we are filled with gratitude for the support of our community and of course the hundreds of volunteers that it takes to make everything happen. If you have been involved in our work in any way, whether that be giving time, money, resources or support, we would like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you, you are such a blessing to us.
The impact of our collective efforts goes beyond tangible measures, reaching into the hearts and lives of individuals facing challenges. We look ahead with a renewed commitment to building a community where compassion, resilience, kindness, hope, faith and love prevail. The stories of transformation, the joyous celebrations, and the collaborative spirit fuel our determination to continue making a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.
We look forward to a new year, a year of new initiatives & another year of community, compassion, and change.
From all of us in the Kerith Revive Team we would like to wish you a hugely joyous & peace-filled Christmas.
With much love from,
Sarah Walker - Social Justice Lead