Staying connected on the fringes – can you share stories of your experiences?
During the current crisis, Church Action on Poverty's priority is to keep people connected and make sure no one is cut off. We invite creatives and anyone experiencing the crisis to share content through our digital platforms. We want to understand the issues people are facing and spread messages of positivity and resilience, whilst building a movement and ensuring people are socially connected during these challenging times.
You may have been engaged in our projects or campaigns previously. Or you may be experiencing one of the following emerging issues for the first time – or something else entirely:
- Self-employed and losing work, finding it difficult to navigate Universal Credit and live day to day in the interim
- Being a zero-hours contract worker and not being let go, but given no shifts
- A student unable to claim anything, with little loan support and possibly losing part-time employment
- Being fired by your employer before the government grant has started
- Cash flow issues in business meaning the grant won’t protect employees unless they can access it now
- Working for a business that’s staying open but isn’t on the essential list, meaning staff can’t get childcare
- A young person experiencing home schooling for the first time and not having access to school meal provision
If you have a story to share, you could contribute just once or on a regular basis. You can choose what kind of content you could contribute:
- Blog posts
- Film or videos
- Live streams
- Spoken word and poetry
- Music or songs
- Short stories
- Art
- Photography or a photo diary
Equally, if you have an idea for another creative project, or have expertise in one of the above and could deliver a short online workshop to train others, we’d love you to get in touch.
We are keen to hear from and have contributions from as diverse a group of people as possible. Be part of our movement and get in touch – contact Ben or Kathryn:
Understandably this is a busy time for us, so we apologise in advance for any delay in responding.
You are the Salt of the earth: Mt5/13
By the secret of a ‘Safe Key’,
you enter by stealth….
having already cared for two.
You are the Salt of the earth
Greeted by a friendly ‘bark.’
Ben’s affection, instinctive love,
So, what faces you here ?
Challenges unknown.
Automatically, you transform from
partner, daughter, mother friend…
all left at home, for now, you metamorphose
into a Saint.
Respect, smiles, perhaps hidden anxiety.
You are the Salt of the earth
Routine, preparation, compassion,
whilst the usual banter emerges.
A tired figure sits before you
still gasping for breath….
still pushing the boundaries of living.
You allow me to do what I can…
Your pity wells up,
Inward tears…..
You are the Salt of the earth
With emotions hidden, you carry on.
Is it Friday ? Hair-wash day !
You wash my back for the 10,000th time
Coal miner filthy !! but I can’t see it anyway !
Trousers removed with professional dignity,
Oversized pyjamas quickly put on.
‘Lifeline’ secured.
The Slip-ons slip off, whilst slippers slip on.
I return to base armchair.
You are the Salt of the earth
Conversation, on my terms.
A mug of Tea, made unconsciously
Write the report – a legal document.
So, a soothing smile, a gentle touch
You quietly fade away, by that ‘Safe Key’.
“See you soon, my lovely “ !!!
You are the Salt of the earth.
From the Bible…..
Matthew 5 – Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16
To all those who have cared for me, during this frightening time of Coronasvirus.
May I thank each and everyone of you for showing devotion to me over the past few months. I have enjoyed your company and benefited enormously from your skills. Thank you so much.
For those of Faith and to those with none……I pray that Jesus will continue to walk beside you, in all you do.
Please keep the poem (above) – as ‘ it is you ‘ !!
Peter Phillips
March 2020
Thanks Peter! Would it be OK for us to share this with our supporters?
We are working hard to keep Sandbach Food Bank going. Some of our volunteers are over 70 years old so cannot continue at present. We have difficulty getting supplies as people cannot donate so easily now Churches are closed.
On the positive side we have had lots of offers to help so have a new list of volunteers and many are offering money donations. Local supermarkets and independent stores are now donating or putting things we need aside for us to buy and collect. IFAN have been very helpful to advise us and pass on information. We were fortunate to have a local Medical Supply firm give us hand sanitiser.
The logistics is a bit of a nightmare. I was self isolating so stayed home and made lots of phone calls and sent emails. I am now going out with great care. Making up parcels we have stations in the church hall so we can keep at a distance and teams of people collect from the entrance to deliver. If not related two go but in separate cars! Couples from the same house can travel together. We leave the parcel on the door step and give a quick call so they know its there. Mondays we do parcels for schools where families were eligible for free meals so a very busy day.
It is working out. We just pray we can continue and it does not go on for too long.
Thanks Deborah. We’ll add this to other reports we’ve received from local projects.