Organisations and Community Groups working across Lancaster
Local Christian Organisations and particular Church Initiatives within the community. Christians and Churches are involved with and serve their communities in all sorts of ways. Take a look at the different initiatives and find out how you can get involved!
Adullam Programme
The Adullam Programme is a self-referral, voluntary programme designed to give people who are looking for a second chance at life the holistic support needed to sustain their recovery and gain skills helpful to break the circle of offending and build a new future for themselves.
Contact:
or Tel 01524 841941
http://www.lfmc.co.uk/about/adullam-project/
Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery offers the opportunity of a fresh start, new hope, ongoing support and encouragement to both men and women who struggle with ‘hurts, hang-ups, and habits’. Celebrate Recovery seek to help individuals overcome difficulties with overeating, grief, divorce, insecurity, relationships, gambling, control, abuse, alcohol, drugs, overeating, guilt, sexual addiction, lying, perfectionism, anger, rage, fear, anxiety, co-dependency, overspending, procrastination, hypochondria, and various other problematic issues that many people struggle with and earnestly desire to break free from.
There are currently two Celebrate Recovery groups, one meets on Tuesdays at 9:30am for 10:00am start and the other meets at 7:30pm on Tuesdays for 8:00pm start.
Contact:
or Tel 01524 841941
http://www.lfmc.co.uk/about/celebrate-recovery/
Christ Church Night Shelter
Christ Church Night Shelter for the Homeless, Wyresdale Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EA.
Christ Church operates a winter night shelter in Christ Church hall for adult men and women in Lancaster and the surrounding areas who have no other accommodation. It is open 7 nights per week between the beginning of November and Easter (with a break over Christmas when there is other provision available in the city). We provide hot drinks and snacks, and a warm and safe place to sleep.
The Shelter relies on donations from local churches and other organisations and individuals who give money, or collect tinned food, tea, coffee etc. The operation of the shelter depends on the kindness and generosity of volunteers who give their time to ensure that homeless people have access to warmth and shelter throughout the coldest months of the year.
To get involved: We are always looking for new volunteers, and if you feel that you could help for as little as an hour per week or per fortnight it would be much appreciated.
Contact: Should anyone wish to donate time, money or food please contact the Night Shelter Coordinator on 07547 717060, or email
. Open: 9.30 p.m. - 7.30 a.m. daily, 2nd November 2015 - 26th March 2016 (closed 24th December - 4th January)
http://christchurchlancaster.co.uk/nightshelter.html
Christians Against Poverty
The vision of the Lancaster, Morecambe & District Debt Centre is to see the poor, needy, desperate and indebted people set free and have lives transformed through the power of Jesus Christ by prolonged, active demonstrations of His love through God’s people, the hearing of the true gospel from His word so that they become followers and lovers of Jesus Christ. Christians Against Poverty offer free debt advice and support.
Local website: LM Debt Centre
Contact: 0800 328 0006
National Website: http://www.capuk.org/
Craft-Aid Shop
Sells Traidcraft and fairly traded goods, geobars and stamps.
Open: Tuesday - Fridays 10.30am - 3.30pm and Saturdays 11am - 2pm.
New: Orders made and handed in using a new form (collected from the shop or St Thomas' Welcome Desk) can then be picked up the following Sunday at St Thomas' or Monday evening at the shop. Order-form available online soon.
Located as part of the St Thomas' Church Centre, behind St Thomas' Marton Street.
http://www.st.tees.org.uk/craft-aid/
Divorce Care (Group run by two Carnforth Churches)
For anyone struggling with pain of separation or divorce.
Contact:
or Sue on 01524 730642.
www.divorcecare.org or www.dc4k.org
Friendship Centre
The Friendship Centre is a social centre for over 55s, run by our members for our members, offering a wide range of activities and classes, as well as the opportunity to meet new people. We also serve two lunches a week - home cooked on Wednesdays, and local award-winning fish & chips on Fridays.
Daily admission is £1 including fair trade tea or coffee, and biscuits. Charges for activities and classes vary - see our activity programme overleaf. Annual membership for 2014 is £10 (£5 after September 1st) but we will refund this in full if you introduce a new member during the year.
Open: 9.30am to 1.30pm three days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays), all year round except bank holidays, a one-week break in the summer, and a two-week break at Christmas.
Location: The Friendship Centre uses the facilities at Lancaster Baptist Church on Robert Street in the centre of Lancaster. The building is fully accessible and has a modern lift.
Contact:
or 07821 328342.
www.thefriendshipcentre.co.uk
Friends International
A Christian organisation dedicated to helping international students and families from overseas in their stay in the UK.
Contact: Andy and Elspeth Wood
.
http://www.fi-lancaster.org.uk/
Lancaster Faith and Justice Commission
The Lancaster Diocesan Faith and Justice Commission, rooted in God’s life and love, come together to be active in promoting JUSTICE, LOVE AND PEACE, to identify the tensions experienced by people as they live their faith and support, and to nurture and celebrate each other. Lots of resources from this Catholic based group.
www.lancasterfaithandjustice.co.uk
Contact: St Bernadette’s Parish House, Bowerham Road, Lancaster, LA1 4HT
01524 383081 or
Lancaster Farms HMYOI Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy is a vital part of prison and as well as the Co-ordinataing Caplain, David Brandford, there are Full-time Anglican and Catholic Chaplains. Part time Free Church and Mulsim Chaplains.’
Lancaster Farms has visits for families to see their loved ones in prison on 3 afternoons a week. David Branford, Chaplain, is looking for volunteers who would work in pairs to staff a simple ‘drop-in ’ child-friendly facility, perhaps offering colouring in or a story or just having some toys out.
Contact: Catholic Chaplain - Fr David Branford Contact via: 01524 563450
More Caplaincy Information (Go down to the Faith Heading)
Lancaster Street Pastors
Church members act as Street Pastors on Friday evenings and Saturday nights, working in partnership with the Police, Council and voluntary groups. There are also new teams, put together in Summer 2014, who presently go out on Friday evenings (7pm - 9.30 pm) into the communities of Skerton, Ryelands and the Vale. New members are urgently needed.
To get involved: We need volunteers from churches to become street pastors or prayer pastors. Also churches/people can help by giving financially.
Contact:
or 07510 891986.
www.lancaster.streetpastors.org.uk
Lancaster University Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy Centre, Lancaster University, LA1 4YW
Contact:
or 01524 594071.
www.chaplancs.org.uk
See also a Student Guide to Some of the Local Churches produced by the Chaplaincy.
Lyrics and Lunch - For people living with dementia and their carers.
Music to feed the brain and lunch to enjoy together for people living with dementia and their carers. Held at St Chad’s Church, Torrisholme Road, alternate Tuesdays from 10.45-1pm. To enquire about how to join in or to volunteeer in some way, please contact Jeanette at St Thomas’s Church Office 01524 590410 or
More details including application forms and info sheet
Mustard Seed - Helping Lancaster's homeless and vulnerable
Meets in the Priory Hall from 6.30pm to 8.00 pm from the first Tuesday in October through to the first Tuesday in May. Hot meals, hot drinks, meet and chat.
www.lancasterpriory.org/page16.htm
NISCU (Northern Inter-Schools Christian Union)
NISCU shares the message of God’s love with young people, working with most of the 62 primary and secondary schools in Lancaster and North Lancs.
They do this a) directly through assemblies, lessons, resources, residentials, mentoring and helping to set up prayer groups and primary clubs, and b) indirectly through partnership with teaching staff, volunteers, churches and youth workers across the area.
Contact: or (primary schools), (secondary schools).
Prison Fellowship
Prison Fellowship shows Christ’s love to prisoners by coming alongside, praying and supporting them.
Why not join our network of 1700 volunteers working across England & Wales?
The Lancaster branch of Prison Fellowship meets for prayer once a month at Father’s House Elim Church, Owen Road, Skerton LA1 2AP on Wednesday afternoons 1.15 – 2.15 pm.
Contact: Jenny Whiffen jmwpanada@yahoo.co.uk
See also Prison Fellowship website: ww.prisonfellowship.org.uk
Soup and a Song
Soup and A Song is for people with dementia and their carers. We meet on the second Tuesday of the month at Halton United Reformed Church High Road, Halton, Lancaster. LA2 6PS from 10-30am for tea and coffee followed by singing and then soup and sandwiches. It costs £2.50 per person.
Contact: Revd Yolande Burns yolandeb@btinternet.com
The Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI)
The chaplaincy department at RLI has a full time site chaplain, Ian Dewar (Anglican) and almost 30 volunteers from a variety of denominations, including a Roman Catholic deacon, Rev Jim Murphy. As well as ward visits, a service is held every Sunday at 10.45 in a room just off the Skylight restaurant which is open to all. There is also an annual baby loss service, which takes place on the fourth Sunday of November at St Thomas church, Lancaster at 2pm. It is a simple service of prayer and reflection with an act of remembrance at its heart.
To find out more or to get involved in any way:
Contact:
or 01524 519231 (49231 internal) Also: Hospital Chaplaincy Information or Volunteer Information
The Ark
Every Friday night from 6.15pm till 7.15pm The Ark offers food to those in need. If you would like to find out more or get involved, contact St Thomas Church for details.
The Cornerstone
The Cornerstone Sulyard Street, Lancaster LA1 1PX
Focussed on marginalised people in the community, the Cornerstone is a partnership between Lancaster Methodist Church and a number of charities - Thumbprint (supporting people with learning disabilities), Lancaster & District Community & Voluntary Solutions, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Relate and others. It is also the base for Lancaster Street Pastors.
The building is fully accessible and includes a ‘Changing Place’ facility for those people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.This includes people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their carers, as well as many other disabled people.
The Cornerstone café is open 8am - 3pm Mon-Fri, serving coffee, tea, snacks and light lunches
Silent meditation happens each Tuesday at 11.00 - everyone welcome.
To get involved: We welcome volunteers and visitors of any religious persuasion or none who are sympathetic to the ethos of Lancaster Methodist Church - "an inclusive Christian community, with a deep commitment to justice and peace, which affirms and values everyone".
Contact: Steve Charman
or 01524 33327
www.TheCornerstoneLancaster.org.uk
The Olive Branch (Faith in Action)
A Christian charity serving and helping the socially disadvantaged in Lancaster. We actively respond to the needs of others and are committed to reaching out to vulnerable individuals in the community. We make emergency food packs available for those in difficult circumstances and those who are referred to The Olive Branch by other care professionals.
From the start of October 2017 The Olive Branch will be extending its support for needy people with Acts 435
To get involved: We are always looking for volunteers who want to get involved and in particular for those who can help donate or collect non-perishable food for our foodbank. Please contact us if you can make use of a collecting bin in your church or work place.
Contact:
or 01524 555715.
www.the-olivebranch.org.uk
Toddler Groups
Several churches in Lancaster support parents and carers by hosting toddler groups, some of which are listed below. This list is not exhaustive and was last updated in January 2015. To confirm the days and times listed below, please refer to the websites of the hosting churches.
GuGu (King's Community Church): Tuesdays (term time) 10.00am - 11.30am
Little Fishes (St Thomas): Wednesdays (term time) 10.00am - 11.30am
Little Pebbles (Lancaster Methodist Church): Fridays (term time) 9.30am - 11.00am
Sing & Play (Baptist Church): Thursdays (term time) 10.00am - 11.30am
Toddler & Baby Group (St Bernadette's): Fridays from 1.30pm
Tiddlers (Christ Church): Fridays 10.30am - 11.45am
University of Cumbria Chaplaincy
The Chaplaincy Centre (Hornby Building) Univ of Cumbria Lancaster Campus.
Also St Martin's Chapel Univ of Cumbria Chaplaincy.
Contact:
or 01524 385689.
http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/AboutUs/Services/Chaplaincy (...)
YMCA Lancaster
New Road, Lancaster, LA1 1EZ
Services include work amongst homeless young people, community work and Diversity Radio.
Contact:
or 01524 32737.
www.lancasterymca.co.uk