As a church, we are doing everything we can to help the most vulnerable in our communities. During COVID-19 the amazing volunteer helpforce has kept in phone contact with isolated people, assisted with emergency errands and provide practical support. We want to build upon this work to help our community recover and thrive. Love Your Neighbour has four main areas which funding will go to support. Alongside Renew Wellbeing, Upton Community Fridge and Foodbank distribution, we want to offer practical courses covering basic cooking skills, healthy eating and budgeting information for local people, regularly run The Money Course, a transformational budgeting and money education resource, designed to equip local people with the tools to get on top of finances and to tackle poverty, establish affordable professional counselling right in the heart of Upton and regularly run The Bereavement Journey, a six week course with a light meal that helps bereaved people process their loss.

What we'll deliver:

• Befriending, Emergency Errands and Practical Support
• Bereavement Support
• Affordable Professional Counselling
• The Money Course
• Practical Cooking Course cooking skills, healthy eating and budgeting information

Why it's a great idea:

Love Your Neighbour is a long-term project in response to issues that have been highlighted during lockdown, but ones that have undoubtably been prevalent in Upton for a long time. As with many rural areas, transport poverty is high and there is a dire need for accessible, affordable community activities to improve the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of the community. The project is in the heart of town, accessible to all and all services delivered through the project will be universal. Donations will be welcomed but there will be no charge. The project will complement the existing Community Fridge, Foodbank distribution and Wellbeing Lounge, and will be run by professionals and trained volunteers meaning making it both sustainable and high quality. Run by local people for local people!

Steps to get it done:

• Run this crowdfunding campaign successfully
• Deliver The Bereavement Journey
• Deliver 3 cooking courses
• Deliver The Money Course
• Establish a regular counselling service