Close Brothers Group plc

Life changing international Ministry is a church . Our motto is to change life through the teachings of Jesus Christ and by leading by example . Every week people from all works of life meeting to worship praise and learn the scriptures .. Due to incredible economic pressures We recently started a foodbank for our congregation . We have being inspected by Lewisham Council and we have a 4 STAR Rating . We now want to expand to cover our community . Hence this application . We currently do foodbank a on Tuesdays Fridays and Sundays . 1. Currently, the food that we receive from retailers (Asda, Waitrose, KFC, and Tesco via Fareshare and Felix project) are only distributed to the church members. But our plan eventually is to also distribute food to the people in and around Lewisham borough. 2. Once people enter the ministry (with their permission,) we collect data such as name, contact details, age and employment status 3. We prioritise food for church members who are (a) unemployed (b) on low income, and the elderly.  4. In addition to ordering food support, we also offer free spiritual counselling to church members. - we do not charge for our services 5. We do not currently collect surplus food from any other retailers 6. At the moment our services are not advertised in the local community, but we plan to do so, once we have extended our services to the local community. 7. Photographs showing the food we redistribute can be accessed on the church Facebook and website - (Please kindly note that our church Facebook and church website are now being updated to show our food bank redistribution.)

BrightStore is a community grass roots level food project run by and for local people. It's a very reasonably priced membership scheme. We offer high quality, affordable food including bread, eggs, fruit and vegetables along with other essential items. We are a solidarity scheme, which means that people can pay more if possible, to support those less able to pay. In return for a very affordable weekly shop, members who sign up to be part of the project are encouraged to get involved in helping to run it. Roles include managing deliveries, working with suppliers and setting up the weekly store.

Betel UK is a family of charitable Christian recovery communities who restore homeless and substance-dependent people to productive, independent lifestyles. Our purpose is to rescue those on the slippery slope of homelessness and addiction who want to rebuild their lives but can’t get into overburdened, under-funded rehabs. Betel offers entrance to new residents quickly, often within 24 hours of contacting us. One focus of our mission is to bring abstinence into the mainstream again, to declare and demonstrate that drug-free lifestyles are achievable and sustainable. We believe that people deserve the dignity to live free of life-controlling substances, rather than be led by policy and practice to expect life-long dependencies on prescribed opiates or alcohol. If addiction is a disease, our conviction is that it is an alterable disease of the will, self-induced, no matter how a person’s environment or genetics may predispose them. Hard-working Betel residents grow to understand the importance self-responsibility plays in their own long-term recovery. Our support services are free of charge making us be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means. Most of our funding for daily operations (over 85%) is generated through our charitable businesses and workshops, which train our residents to build employable skills. Betel residents agree to sign off primary benefits (Income support/Job Seekers Allowance) to further encourage their break with dependency in pursuit of building a strong and meaningful work ethic. Residents help to fund their own recovery by being involved in our charitable businesses. This significantly reduces the financial burden on their families and government, while restoring dignity and a sense of purpose. This meaningful work takes many forms, from the introduction to the necessity of daily chores in our residences, to working with our charity businesses. These are Furniture Restoration; House Removals/Clearances/Deliveries; Garden Maintenance and Landscaping; Tree Surgery; Charity Shop Retail Sales. We contract jobs with the local public, the government, businesses, churches and charities as our main means of funding Betel’s charitable activities. Betel is committed to expanding into all major cities in the UK and Ireland as properties/funding become available. We now have the climate in the UK to help provide a real alternative option to reduce crime and improve social cohesion. We're doing this by building relationships within the Criminal Justice Sector and local community organisations. Our men and women are willing to help fund their own recovery to a large degree and be an example to others needing help. Even so, opening new centres and developing new partnerships takes time and support. BETEL GIVES A HOPE TO THE HOPELESS AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE - YOUR SUPPORT CAN HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE.