Faithworks 20th anniversary

It’s Faithworks 20th anniversary! And we are honoured to invite you to join us in a year of celebration, reflection and forward thinking.

How did Faithworks begin? Over 20 years ago a small and dedicated group of church leaders, along with Poole Borough Council, looked at root causes of key local issues and identified loneliness & isolation as large and recurring factors in the lives of many struggling with poverty.

They decided a change in both outlook and action was vital to break these cycles and reconnect communities. So, Faithworks was officially launched on the 18th March 2004….  led by a local chaplain and a senior social worker.

Where is Faithworks now? The charity supports over 30 venues and groups across Dorset, with close to 50 employees and 350 volunteers! Along the way, four Food Banks have marked their tenth anniversary and the SMILE lone parent families project turned 15.

Over the last two decades we have been there for those experiencing homelessness, food poverty, debt, lone parenting, addiction, domestic violence, and people who are older and living in isolation within Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole, Wimborne and Blandford.

What’s helped us get to 20 years? 

Teamwork makes the dream work! Whilst working so hard the team have also managed to fit in fundraising skydives and wing walks, as well as numerous mayoral visits, a few from local sheriffs and even hosted the future King of England!

We get by with a little help from our friends! We work closely with many wonderful and forward-thinking people and places – churches and the one we call Father God, many teams within BCP council, the NHS, schools, volunteer services and a multitude of incredible charities.

The inspirational people we walk alongside. 20 years of stories like the family who came in one day for food support, took up the offer of financial debt advice, and within a few weeks had been helped to find a new home, with support from our expert staff and a local church friendship group: 20 years of helping people rebuild their life-story.

Our values – they are more than just words; they are at the core of who we are and inform everything we do. We are: Welcoming, Alongside, Trusted, Practical and Empowering.  

So, how will we celebrate? In 20 fun and inspiring ways throughout 2024! All of which celebrate our Values. To start off in style, every birthday needs cake and so we’re giving out over 280 cakes, (expertly made by the wonderful Crumbs team) hand-delivered to thank staff and volunteers; plus mini tins of chocolate eggs for them to pass on to others who have been a key player in them becoming part of the Faithworks team!

The festivities continue throughout the year – Including a pier breakfast, sponsored activities, workshops, a celebrational worship event and a big do at the end!  Subscribe to our newsletter below to find out more.

What’s next? We want to be even more ambitious and creative because so many people still long for hope. We are sadly all too aware that there is still much to be done.

We are so appreciative of all those who support us – whether through volunteering, donations, funding and spreading the word. So, we will also be looking forwards as to how, together, we can continue to provide practical solutions, hope and compassion around homelessness, food and financial poverty and supporting lone parent families with the challenges they continue to face.

How can you get involved!?  

20/20 Donors: From buying vital food for families in crisis to funding activity days for lone parent families, regular donors are the lifeblood of financial support. We are looking for people who can give £20 per month for 20 months.

20 Sponsored activities – A skydiving grandmother, a wing walking mayor and an epic climb up Mount Kilimanjaro… there have been many exciting fundraising events for Faithworks! We are looking for 20 people or groups who would love to make and take a challenge! Get in touch with your ideas by emailing hello@faith-works.org.uk

There is much more to come! Subscribe to our newsletter below (selecting General from the drop-down menu) to keep up to date with all the latest anniversary events including Alistair’s 20th half-marathon in fancy dress! Simply let us know by emailing hello@faith-works.org.uk and include your full name.

You can also keep up to date on Facebook at: faithworksdorset or on Instagram at: faithworksdorset