Mission Giving and Social Justice

During Advent, guided by the Social Justice Advent Calendar, the Cathedral community will reflect on challenges to our society and our Christian response. Part of that response is financial support; this article introduces some of the charities which we support through Mission Giving which operate in the fields of homelessness, isolation, food poverty, refugees and asylum seekers.

Homelessness Shelter reports 274,000 homeless people in England in December 2021 - 2,700 sleeping rough, 15,000 in hostels and 250,000 in temporary accommodation. Most of these are families. The Cathedral supports local charities providing temporary accommodation, food, healthcare and counselling support, including Centre 33, Herts Young Homeless, New Hope and Open Door St Albans.

Take action Centre 33 | www.centre33.org.uk Herts Young Homeless | www.hyh.org.uk New Hope | www.newhope.org.uk Open Door St Albans | www.opendoorstalbans.org

Isolation Isolation and loneliness have increased dramatically during the pandemic, particularly for those more at risk such as the elderly or people with medical concerns. Cathedral support includes The Armoral Hill Day Centre, who provide a weekly facility to provide care and company for elderly and disabled people, and Carers in Hertfordshire. They provide support and advice to 4,989 carers within St Albans and the local area, 38% of whom have lost touch with family and friends and 41% have lost relationships as a result of their role.

Take action The Armoral Hill Day Centre | www.communities1st.org. uk/member/7877 Herts Young Carers | www.carersinherts.org.uk

Food Poverty The inability to afford, or have access to food as part of a healthy diet is an increasing concern in the UK and in 2022 affected 15.5% of all UK households (YouGov survey April 2022). There are now over 2,500 food banks in the UK. We support St Albans and District Foodbank based in Redbourn who provided 10,211 food parcels in 2021. The donations are put towards the rent for the warehouse and insurance costs. We also support The Vineyard Care Centre REFUEL Programme, which provides free lunches during the school holidays to some of the 40% of St Albans children who receive free school meals. In 2020 they provided 5,791 meals with demand growing during COVID due to school closure.

Take action St Albans and District Foodbank www.stalbansdistrict.foodbank.org.uk The Vineyard Care Centre www.thevineyardchurch.co.uk

Refugee Support Refugees are arriving in the UK from many countries, leaving behind their whole lives and possessions to start a new life. For the year ending June 2022 some 63,089 people applied for asylum in the UK, whilst 117,945 are waiting for an initial decision on their asylum claim (www.refugeecouncil.org.uk). The Cathedral supports charities including Herts for Refugees, which raises money to fund projects across Europe and beyond. It supports new arrivals in Hertfordshire, providing initial accommodation, clothes, food and hygiene products. We also support Beyond Detention which provides support to refugees detained within Yarls Wood Detention Centre through visits, weekly drop-in sessions, clothing, shoes and phone credit to help detainees stay in touch with family.

Take action Herts for Refugees | www.hertsforrefugees.org Beyond Detention | www.beyonddetention.org

Thank you to all who support the Cathedral financially, since this is also facing significant financial pressures. Whilst most of your giving helps support the Cathedral, one-tenth is used to support charities providing vital support and advice to those in need. For further information on the Mission Giving Team and the charities supported please email giving@stalbanscathedral.org.