Some of our members proudly holding our award.

Sarah and John accepting the award.

Sarah and John supported by Ian, Ethel and Dave.

The Meeting Place Social Cafe at Christ Church Stocksbridge Wins National Award.  In July The Meeting Place Social Cafe at Christ Church Stocksbridge was successful in winning a Community Project Award for its initiative to help combat isolation.

The project which supports isolated people from the Stocksbridge and Deepcar area has won a coveted national award in recognition of its work. The Meeting Place has been named as a Community Project Award winner and has received a £2,000 prize.

Sarah Knightley the Social Cafe coordinator and John Cornell, Chair of the leadership team at Christ Church, received the award at the URC General Assembly held in Nottingham on Saturday July 7th. Reverend Ian Lucraft, Ethel Firth and Dave Thomas accompanied them to the awards to lend their support on behalf of Christ Church and the Social Cafe.

The awards sponsored by national church insurer Congregational Insurance, recognise the efforts of churches that engage with their local community, to establish and maintain social initiatives.

The Meeting Place Social Cafe was developed out of discussions between several key services in the valley, who identified a need to provide additional support for people who are isolated and find it difficult to access support, or for those in need on companionship. The cafe is funded through the Methodist and United Reformed churches with support from Sheffield City Council and has the backing of Stocksbridge Town Council as well as voluntary and statutory services and organisations in the area.

The weekly session held on Monday mornings is run by a team of 15 volunteers some of whom provide activities such as crafts and games, whilst other volunteers work on a one to one basis with members where a specific need has been identified, and others prepare the breakfast and lunch. Support and advice is also available to those wishing to access organisations and services as well as information about local community groups and other activities in the valley.

The prize money will help us introduce new activities and opportunities for our group members within the Social Cafe sessions.

Margaret Slater. Marketing Manager of Congregational Insurance, said ” we place a strong focus on supporting community initiatives that really make a difference and unite people. The Meeting Place Social Cafe has embraced some local challenges and provides much needed services, friendship and social interaction for many people who might otherwise felt excluded ”

Kevin Watson and Alan Yates, Moderators of the General Assembly of the URC and two of the judges that grant the awards said ” we are confident that the cash prize will make a positive difference to the work undertaken by The Meeting Place Social Cafe. We are grateful that these awards enable us to showcase projects demonstrating the URC’s love for the community ”

To view short films of this year’s award winners please visit… https://youtu.be/qiKJ_TuhcZQ