Community Services
As well as our commissioned services, we are proud of our long history of providing support to people in our communities who are isolated, struggling or in need of practical help. Most recently, our community support has included:
Parish and Community Engagement (PACE)
For the last 15 years, we have supported parishes across our diocese to establish lunch clubs for older, isolated people and drop-in cafés providing free food and essentials to those with little or no income. Our small team offers guidance, advice and hands-on support to help these projects thrive and reach more people in need.
One of these PACE projects is Joe’s Place at St Joseph’s Church in Gateshead, which we were proud to help open 10 years ago. Today, it serves over 100 meals each week to people experiencing homelessness or struggling to make ends meet. We continue to play a small part in this vital service by providing advice to volunteers as well as sleeping bags and essential items, helping guests stay warm, safe and supported.
Lunch Club at Holy Cross
Every Friday, our volunteer-run lunch club at Holy Cross welcomes around 17 guests for a home-cooked meal.
It’s more than just food; our guests enjoy friendly conversation, companionship and the essential game of bingo, all of which creates a sense of belonging and helps to reduce social isolation.
Free Meals at the Alan Shearer Centre
In response to the rising cost of living, our Alan Shearer Centre has served over 2,000 free nutritious meals this year. These meals provide more than nourishment; they give families and individuals peace of mind and relief from financial pressure. By offering healthy, hearty food, we help our members maintain wellbeing.
Together, these initiatives reflect our long-standing commitment to building stronger, kinder communities where everyone has support, care and connection.
