Love Your Neighbour — Birmingham

We're excited to share with you an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our neighbours here in Birmingham. We believe that everyone deserves access to food, regardless of their circumstances. We believe that people have value and can contribute to society. That's why we're launching this crowdfunding campaign to support our Love Your Neighbour Hub. 

What is a Love Your Neighbour Hub? 

We are a local food bank, community shop, debt crisis centre, job club to name a few. We also provide a great place for community to happen within our Softplay and Cafe. 

Why is it needed?

Food poverty is very real and is all around us. 

• 8% of households in the UK experienced food insecurity in 2021 (DEFRA, 2022).
• 16% of households in the West Midlands are food insecure. 
• 72,932 people in Birmingham were given a food parcel by a food bank between April 2022 and March 2023.
• 143,000 people are currently unemployed in the West Midlands.
• 8% of all workers in Birmingham were ‘non-permanent’ (aka ‘zero-hours’, seasonal, casual or agency temping).

* official and ons data

Since opening and operating our community cafe we see a large number of people needing support. More often than not the issues we tackle are not standalone but are related to other issues. For example, more often than not, food poverty is down to people not having disposable income and getting themselves into debt. This can be to do with them not having an income stream through a regular paying job. All of these issues have a knock on effect to their mental well-being.  

What's the solutions?

With your support, we can expand our efforts to reach even more individuals and families in need. By contributing to this campaign, you'll be helping us with the following areas of support:

Gas Street St Luke’s Hub

• Emergency food bank - delivery
• The Community Shop - pantry style food provision with a small cost, with fresh fruit and veg, fresh meat, fresh dairy and ambient items
• Two Community Lunches a week - a free meal for anyone to come and join us for lunch, part of ur being a Warm Welcome
• Job Club - we use the CAP course to help support those considering entering the workforce or looking for a job
• Debt Centre - we are a CAP Debt Centre and help people become debt-free
• ESOL class - a free ESOL class, from beginners upwards
• Kids Matter - a parenting support group
• Stay and Play - a place for families with children under school age
• Craft Club - a free two hour club to create crafts and build community
• Community Choir - a chance to build confidence and community
• The Big Breakfast - a monthly free breakfast and activities at a local primary school 

Gas Street Longbridge Hub

We hope to secure the funding to start the below activities...

• Job Club - we use the CAP course to help support those considering entering the workforce or looking of a job
• Debt Centre - we are hoping to open a CAP Debt Centre and help people become debt-free
• Money Course - a CAP course to help all incomes look at how they could budget and save
• Food provision - we are in talks with the community to see how we could best support those struggling with food insecurity.

Impact:

We want to be a centre of transformation, helping people overcome pressing social challenges such as poverty and isolation. Our goals are to see:

• Families whole and thriving, children safe, parents supported
• People overcome poverty - changing people’s circumstances as well as practical crisis support
• Social isolation removed, friendships and communities flourishing, and individuals knowing they are supported and loved
• People healthy mentally, physically, financially and spiritually

All that we do at Love Your Neighbour Birmingham is to fulfil this vision. 

The difference your money could make...

• £5 for a free Community Lunch for one person
• £10 for a household to have a shop from The Community Shop
• £37.50 for 15 Job Club booklets for one course
• £37.50 for 10 Money course booklets for one course
• £50 for materials for Craft Club
• £90 for a DRO, fee to relieve someone’s debt 
• £100 for 20 people to have a free two course Community Lunch
• £340 for one The Big Breakfast event
• £365 for one Fareshare delivery
• £600 for Debt Centre fees for our two hubs for one month

Love Your Neighbour Birmingham at Gas Street Church is a core part of our mission to be Light for the City. Our aim is to see people helped, communities strengthened, and to inspire a fresh movement of practical love for our neighbour. Support and partner with us to bring about change!