Working at Christchurch Community Partnership

ABOUT US

The CCP exists to combat social isolation and loneliness faced by many adults across Christchurch. We do this by both providing direct services but also by partnering and collaborating with other services and organisations to support the services they offer and ensure they are accessible to as many residents as possible.

Established as a charity in 2011 with all of the services being completely volunteer led and delivered, in 2021 we received funding from The National Lottery, which enabled us to cover the costs of a small staff team. Many of our services are provided free at point of delivery with some specialised support requiring a donation to cover costs incurred including our volunteers’ expenses. As these do not generate income, we rely on donations and grants, and legacies to continue our work.

 

OUR SERVICES

BEFRIENDING /SUPPORT

Christchurch Angels is a short term provision aimed at empowering and helping build confidence for those struggling to connect with their community. Our Coordinator will carry out an initial assessment and then, with the client, formulate a plan. This may involve putting in a volunteer ‘angel’ for up to 12 weeks who will meet 1:1 with a client to visit, or perhaps connect them to a Lunch Club or other activity, depending on their needs and preferences.

Helpful Neighbours provides a volunteer to do one off practical tasks, from changing a light bulb to helping with form filling, to enable clients to live independently for as long as they can. A small donation is requested to cover our volunteers’ travel costs, or if more specialised support is needed.

TRANSPORT

Dial a Bus is a door to door transport service which offers a weekly shopping trip, transport to local Lunch or support groups, or trips or activities, using our two fully accessible 14 seater minibuses. We are currently looking to support more Lunch Clubs to meet the nutritional needs of those living alone, as well as providing an opportunity to build friendships and social networks.

Neighbour Cars was originally set up to offer transport for medical appointments. This service has now been transitioned to align with our vision to address social isolation by assisting residents to access support groups and other activities to improve their quality of life. We are also working in partnership with other organisations, particularly SEDCAT, to continue to provide the medical transport.

OTHER SERVICES

Meal Card scheme offers a subsidised place for those who can’t afford to, but would benefit from attending a Lunch Club, or to have a meal delivered from one of our local cafes, utilising funding from the CCP for that purpose.

Hardship Fund Working with another local charity Christchurch Magdalen Trust, we have a referral route for emergency grants to families and individuals in urgent need of assistance. Referrers mainly comprise the local schools and statutory services.