Faithworks on Hope FM: Why Belonging Matters

We were delighted to be featured as Hope FM’s Charity of the Week recently.  

Faithworks CEO Alistair Doxat-Purser, Florentyna Taylor, and Tracy Blick joined Hope FM on their Breakfast Show to explore the theme of belonging and how it transforms lives across our projects. 

What does it mean to belong? 

Belonging is a sense of feeling welcomed, valued and connected, and knowing that you are not alone.  

The hidden cruelty of poverty is that it often steals this sense of belonging. Alistair shared that beyond the financial hardship, poverty can leave people feeling isolated and disconnected from others. That’s why at Faithworks, our mission is not only to help people through crisis, but also to help them rediscover community, connection and hope. 

When John walked into Christchurch Foodbank+, he found far more than an emergency food parcel. He was welcomed in with kindness, offered a drink, and accepted without judgement. Though the food was important, what made the difference was finding a place where he belonged.

As Tracy explained, many journeys begin with a food parcel, but they rarely end there. Alongside emergency food support, Christchurch Foodbank+ offers help with housing, furniture, debt advice, cooking skills and much more. The aim is to walk alongside people until they feel equipped and confident to move forward independently. 

Florentyna shared a similar vision at Nourish Foodbank and Community Larder. Alongside food support, Nourish offers money management courses, debt advice, digital support, wellbeing services and victim support. Yet one of its most valuable resources is something much harder to measure: community. 

Many people come simply for the warmth, friendship and welcome. The Nourish café serves around 65 people each day, often rising to more than 100, providing a safe and welcoming space where people can connect with others. Tracy shared that the same sense of community can be found in the Lifecentre café at Christchurch Foodbank+, where people know they’ll find a warm welcome. 

Florentyna summed up her passion as being for “people, food and Jesus” – three things that come together every day at Nourish. It’s the dedication of our staff and volunteers that helps create these spaces of welcome and belonging. Inspired by Christian faith, they bring compassion, kindness and hope to people facing difficult times. 

Because sometimes a journey starts with an emergency food parcel, but what people find is so much more. 

Community, connection and hope. Together, they create a place to belong. 

Would you like to leave a legacy of belonging? Visit our Legacy Giving page below to find out more…