## **Christians Together in Dover**
## **(CTID)**
_Charity Number 296621_
_Registered Address: Windy Ridge, Dover Road, Guston, Dover, KENT, CT15 5EH_
## **Trustees Annual Report 2021**
## **Objectives / Vision**
The objects of CTID are to promote the Christian faith, in particular to advance knowledge about all aspects of Christianity and to seek greater understanding and unity in the fellowship of Christ's Church.
## **Area of Operation** - The Dover & District area of Kent.
## **Benefit to the public**
CTID promotes community cohesion by demonstrating Christian unity and outreach in practical service and witness to the people of the Dover area, especially through the Dover Foodbank, Baby Basics and Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Dover Money Course providing vital help to those in need.
## **Structure & Governance**
CTiD is governed by a Constitution adopted 13[th] May 1983 and amended 9[th] February 1987, 14[th] February 1994, 29[th] May 2004, 3[rd] March 2016 and 19[th] September 2019.
Trustees and Officers are selected from the congregations and clergy of member churches and are elected or re-elected annually at the AGM.
## **Trustees serving during the year**
|Rev, Andy Bawtree|Chair from 25thFeb 21||
|---|---|---|
|Mrs Hazel Groves|Secretary from 25th Feb 21|Appointed on 27-January-21|
|Mr Alan Boxall|Treasurer||
|Mr David Slater|Vice-Chair||
|Rev Dr Barry Barton|Trustee||
|Mrs Carol Boxall|Trustee||
|Mr Greg Bridges|
Trustee Chair to 25th Feb 21|
Retired 25-February-21|
|Mrs. Marissa Clarke|
Trustee|
Appointed 27-January-21|
|Rev Josias De Sousa|Trustee|
Retired 02- September-21|
|Deacon Michelle Legumi|Trustee||
|Dr Judith Shilling|Trustee||
|Rev. Catherine Tucker|
Trustee|
Appointed 11-November-21|
|Rev. Catherine Wagstaff|
Trustee|
Appointed 16-June-21|
|Mr Peter Wallace|Trustee||
|Mr Jonathan Wheeler|Trustee|
Retired 11-November-21|
## **Bankers**
NatWestBank, address Dover Branch, 25 Market Square, Dover CT16 1NG
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## **Volunteers**
||Dover Foodbank|60|
|---|---|---|
||Dover MoneyCourse|13|
||Port Chaplains|8|
||Childrens/Youth|9|
||**TOTAL**|**90**|
## **Policy Reviews**
The Trustees regularly review and update the policies of the charity.
Review of Financial Controls, Risk Management and Core Organisations and activities were all approved in November 2019.
## **Risk Management**
The Executive Committee is responsible for the review of all risks on an ongoing basis. The principle areas of risk are Financial, Loss of Critical Volunteers and Reputational Damage.
## **Summary of Activities**
During 2021 the standard outreach works of Dover Foodbank and Dover Money Course were again disrupted significantly by the Covid pandemic.
We worked closely with other Christian Charities including the Dover Street Pastor Initiative and Dover Outreach Centre including the Dover Winter Night Shelter. These continued to operate when the country was not in lockdown, but were stopped from operating whilst restrictions were high. As part of Ecumenical Children s ministry, a virtual Easter Light Party and “No Fear” youth event was organised in July to great success. No holiday clubs have been possible this year due to Covid.
A virtual walk of witness video was produced with contributions from several Churches.
An initiative started in 2018 for the elderly in residential care home in Dover with a monthly Songs of Praise event in Dover extended to a second venue a nursing home, in Temple Ewell. These have been largely cancelled again this year because of covid restrictions. It is hoped these might resume in Spring 2022.
Three Open meetings were held during the year virtually.
## **Achievements**
Dover Foodbank fed 3,447 people with 3 days worth of food.
CAP Dover Money Course ran two courses over Zoom. In September 4 participants completed a face to face course.
Baby Basics - Distributed 59 bundles.
The Walk of Witness was virtual this year but represented a fantastic collaboration between churches and was well received.
## **Plans for the Future**
To re-establish activities in a post-Covid world. To work on recruiting more volunteers.
## **Statement of Trustees Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
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The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## Finance Summary
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Period 01.01.21 to 31.12.21
CTID CTID FINANCIAL REPORT- 2021
PAYMENTS
BIF 2020
Nal Wesl Bank
Cash in Hand
CCLA Deposit Fund
Uncleared Cheques120201
Total
lllsuran
£718.67
£12,583.88 Expenses
£0.00
£0.00 Dover Food Bank
£615.64
£3,800.00 Website Domain Annual Fees
£14.39
£0.00 Dover Soup Kitchen IDSKI
£252.52
£16,383.88 Transfer from CCLA to DSK
£3,800.00
Sunrise Café- Transfer from DSK £5,561.70
£12.21 Port Chaplaincy Expenses
£25.51
£0.05 Dover Money Course
£252 00
£480.00 CCLI
£0.00
£75.00 Dover Outreach Centre
£100.00
£3,800.00 Light Party l Holid3y Club
£51.78
£2,450.00 Baby Basics
£2,020.00
£1,000.00 Visa Support- Josias de Souza
£2,450.00
£100.OQ There is Love in Dover Mission
£908.30
£615.64 No Fear Living Event
£1,428.60
£26.50 Farewell Thank you Gift
£50.00
£822.50
£193.88
£1,500 00
£484.99
Gift AKI
COIF Interest
In5uiance Contributions
Dover Soup Kitchen
Dover Soup Kitchen from CCLA
Visa Support- Josias de Souza
Subscriptions
Oover Outreach Centre
Dover Food Bank
Dovei Money Course
Baby Basics
One Church - No Fear Liwng Subs
DDC Grant (No Fear Living)
KCC Grant INQ Fear Living)
Balance
Uncleared Cheques
Nae$l Bank Alc
Cash I Cheque in Hand
Total Available
50.00
£9,745 54
£0.00
£9,695.54
Allocated Funds
General Fund
Uncleared Cheques
50.00
£3,217.48
Designated Funds
Soup Kitchen
Nexus Fund
£0.00
£24.96
Restricted Fund5
Dover Money Course
Baby Basics
There 15 Love in Dover Mission
Dover District Council
Kent County Council
Dover Outreach Centre
Dover Food Bank
Humanitarian Crisis Support
Port Chaplaincy Fund
£142.75
£1,652.32
£438.53
£525.60
£168 09
£0.00
£0.00
£3,421.35
£104.46
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Signed on its behalf the trustees of the charity by : Chairman Andy Bawtree
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CTiD Activities Reports 2020
## Secretaries Report
Hazel Groves
During 2021 there have been 7 Executive meetings, as well as the 3 Open meetings including the AGM. All meetings have been held virtually this year.
The email list currently stands at 159. I have taken on moderation of the Facebook group which has 196 members.
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## Dover Foodbank
Laura Ashman & Jonathan Wheeler
2021 started, as far as Dover Foodbank is concerned, the way 2020 had ended – busy. We continued to support a substantial number of people and were fortunate to have good levels of stock in most items and, although there has, as usual, been some fluctuation during the year, stocks have remained good.
We had hoped to be able to open up the distribution centres again, at both The Beacon and at One Church, but continued uncertainty over Covid19 meant that this was not a realistic option and we have continued our delivery model on three mornings each week. We are really thankful to the delivery teams for their continued work, just as we are thankful to the warehouse volunteers for their continued hard work as well. As with any organisation there have been some changes of personnel during the year – with some leaving for a whole variety of reasons, including returning to their regular employment as their furlough arrangements had come to an end. Fortunately others have joined and the work of the foodbank continues, providing muchneeded support to the many folk who are referred to us by the over 40 agencies we are working with.
In May Janet and Jonathan let it be known that they would be retiring from their roles within the foodbank by early autumn and we have been fortunate to appoint a new Project Manager – Laura – and a new Warehouse Co-ordinator – Kathryn – both of whom were able to take up post for the start of September, allowing for a time of hand-over of roles.
In 2021, Dover Foodbank supported 3447 people, 1100 of which were children. The amount of food distributed directly to those in need was 34.6 tonnes.
Going into 2022, for the time being, we will continue to provide a delivery-only service to people’s doorsteps rather than re-open our distribution centres. We do however expect to reopen distribution centres for collections in the near future. This is on the assumption that Covid-19 numbers will fall and volunteer numbers will increase.
Currently, we have seen a decrease in volunteers within the Foodbank and have felt the pressures of making sure every individual referred to us receives the support they need. This has caused issues with a number of tasks, including collections of donations, deliveries and warehouse organisation to name a few.
Harvest festival had seen us take in more than three tonnes of donations. Due to being understaffed, organisation and distribution became a challenging task. However, we appreciate the continued donations, as this has helped support the aforementioned number of people.
In light of some staffing issues, we have recently made the decision to employ another member of staff who will assist the project manager and warehouse coordinator in their roles, easing the pressure and allowing the continuation of vital work within our Foodbank. This appointment will ensure that people in our area will continue to receive much-needed support from us.
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Our warehouse will continue to operate three mornings a week, receiving, sorting and storing, alongside the tireless work of our delivery teams who distribute food parcels as needed.
We would like to thank each and every person who has dedicated their time and efforts to help us support those in need within our area.
Without each and every one of you, this would not have been possible.
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Dover Outreach Centre Judith Shilling & Noel Beamish
The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic continues to present us with challenges, but we are continuing our work and have seen progress in all areas. We currently have an engaged board of trustees, and Judith took over as chair in April 2021. Noel is still involved each and every day in all aspects of the centre.
Below is a brief summary of the work we are currently involved with.
## Drop In Centre
The centre remains open from 9 to 11am Monday to Friday and we have a new centre manager, Paul Hyslop. Our volunteers have picked up their slots across the week and although the number of people coming in is fairly low at the moment this is consistent with previous years during the time when the Winter Night Shelter is operating.
## Dover Winter Night Shelter
The night shelter opened on December 1st and current plans are to finish at the end of February. As with last year, all guests have been accommodated in a local B&B venue, and evening meals are provided by volunteers and delivered to them there. Breakfasts are now hosted at the Sunrise Cafe. As in previous years, guests are being encouraged to move forward into permanent accommodation and work as and when they are willing and able to do so.
## Victory House Accommodation
Work has been ongoing to move Victory House accommodation to supported status, and this should be completed in the next couple of months. Most of the residents who do not need support have moved out, and some rooms are currently available – that offers us an option for housing some of those currently in the night shelter. James King is still working closely with our residents. We have also employed a night watchman who provides added support and security to the premises.
## Dover Outreach Enterprise
The decision was taken last year to pause work done by DOE. However the company will be retained such that we can restart any work if we see the need.
## Sunrise Cafe
The Cafe opened in July 2021 and we currently employ 4 members of staff, two of whom are young people on a government scheme. Additional support is undertaken by a rota of willing and invaluable volunteers. At the end of 2021 we were able to raise sufficient money via a crowdfunding campaign to employ two more members of staff, and we expect to start a new initiative to provide family meals from February. We provide a number of free meals every day in line with our ethos, and feedback from customer of the Cafe has been very positive. Come down and visit us one day!
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## Move on Housing
We have partnered with Hope Into Action to find a house in Dover which can be used to offer semi-independent housing for those currently needing support. Unfortunately, the pandemic has resulted in high house prices and a shortage of property but the hunt goes on. One Church has offered to undertake befriending of tenants as and when they move on.
## Permanent Housing
Options for this include renting suitable properties and building homes, and discussion is ongoing with a number of individuals and organisations.
In all it has been a good year, but there is always more work to be done and we gladly continue rise to the challenge to help rebuilding brokenness.
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## Port of Dover Chaplaincy
David Slater Lead Chaplain
The year started in the aftermath of the French total border closure which had seen thousands of lorries and individuals trapped in Dover or on motorways as the Kent Police plan had assumed 'they would return home' ignoring the fact that home was on the continent. Thanks to all who volunteered to help.
The increased Brexit rules which came into force on 4th January, and which were expected to cause delays, were quite quiet in comparison.
Chaplaincy visits to the Port continued weekly, but most offices are closed with people furloughed or working from home, but the few that that were around were genuinely pleased to be able to talk and discuss issues. Passenger services were greatly reduced and although this would usually be a quiet time the Port was sometimes eerily silent.
## Some good things have come out of the pre-Christmas chaos:
Dover District Council (DDC) have invited Chaplains & Street Pastors to visit their CCTV Emergency Control rooms and we have started bi-monthly meetings.
We got funding for training and PPE (in the original sense of Hi-Vis jackets, not face masks)
DDC & Kent Resilience Team (KRT) have re-realized the value of volunteers on the ground and plans are being drawn up for resources to stored outside just a Rest Centre operation
KRT have established a new working group to deal with Spontaneous Volunteers and I am the only Faith related person involved. However, the Chair, Vice-chair and the new lead for the County Vulnerable Persons Community Cell are all Dover District Council officers providing a good link.
KRT will only provide to drivers who cannot help themselves , they accept risk of gridlock in Dover, but see no need for help from faith groups for other parts of the county.
Local Christians, co-ordinated by Chaplains were on standby over the summer in case of delays and grid-lock, but one of the ‘benefits’ of Covid was the lack of passengers able to travel. [ Watch 2022 for the potential start of the Full Customs Controls from 1st January, plus the European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the European Union Entry-Exit-System (EES) which could add to travel chaos.]
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At the Port of Dover (PoD) there have been many changes of personnel which has made chaplaincy visits difficult. They have re-introduced a Neighbourhood Policing team which is working well.
During the year the Chaplaincy office was relocated to the Terminal Control Building, in theory this would make it easier for outside visitors but the Covid Regulations (ie the more restrictive of France or England at any point in time), plus the National Security Level being raised to Severe makes any visits difficult. At least the team are all fully vaccinated and for many months benefited from frequent Lateral Flow Tests at the Border Force facility.
During the year we have boosted our team with:
the Revd. Catherine Tucker, Rector of the Anglican Dover Town Team, providing a good link between Town and Port.
Mike Fitzpatrick a Ship Visitor with Stella Maris who will be helping with our cargo ships.
We still hope to get a retail chaplaincy going, but Covid has proved a big restriction.
Migrants still a big problem in Dover – that chaplains and other faith groups we are excluded from. Border Force have a contract with British Red Cross as the only organisation recognised to provide welfare services.
We lack any way of supporting migrants who are trying to return to Europe but have no recourse to public funds.
The Chaplaincy was visited for an hour in September by the Bishop of Dover as part of a whistlestop visit to local churches, and the chaplaincy arranged a visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury in December to see the RNLI and PoD (see picture below).
I took the funeral of a retired Port of London employee who had wanted their chaplain but Covid travel restrictions meant they had to have someone local with maritime connections. There have been a number of other similar requests.
Covid has meant there have been no public events at the Port of Dover this year, but a number of people with wreaths happened to be on the Sea Front for Merchant Navy Day at 11am. The Torch of Remembrance service on 9th November at the Western Docks was limited to 60 people, better than 6 in 2020. Hopefully there will be 300+ next year when we've booked the bishop of Dover for the service celebrating the 100th anniversary of its unveiling of the memorial by her predecessor.
Zoom has enabled national links such as Workplace Mission UK, the South East Port Welfare Committee of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB and Kent Voluntary Sector Emergency Group.
Covid Omicron restrictions stopped office visits just as we started to get going again and French Border closures due to Covid has meant most of December was very quiet and there has been very little chance to do much face to face actual chaplaincy recently, but hopefully opportunities will reopen in 2022.
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DOVER STREET PASTORS INITIATIVE REPORT TO CTID – 2021 Carol Boxall
Our 10th Anniversary Celebration in September was definitely the highlight of our year, with Street Pastors founder, Rev Les Issac addressing the gathering. The event was well attended including key dignitaries from our town community. The evening reflected the dedication and faithfulness of many throughout the 10 years and our vision for the future.
2021 began in lockdown with Street Pastor patrols being put on hold again and little funding for employing a Coordinator. Nevertheless, work continued amongst the Management Team(MT). A new Chair, Wendy Green, was elected in June, along with two new MT members. Our thanks to Rev Gordon Newton for his faithful and diligent work amongst us, as our retiring chair. Our links with our Urban Trinity, the District Council and Police, were re-established and visits to CCTV undertaken by many of our pastors. Patrols recommenced in April at the request of our partners, and with Covid guidance and precautions in place we have sustained patrols throughout the rest of the year. In recent months we have made an exciting link with South Eastern Rail at Dover Priory. During 2021 45 patrols and 1,200 patrol and prayer hours have been undertaken, and during patrols we have spoken with over 600 people. Our thanks to St Mary’s Church for allowing us to use their premises as our base.
Great strides have been made in the area of marketing & social media including our new look website. Our website has lots of information about us and gives a good overview of who we are and what we do. Fund raising remains a priority and Dover District Council, Kent County Council, alongside a number of charities, our night economy venues & individual donations have been sources of grants and financial support. Our thanks to all. We were Charity of the Month at the Nationwide in the Autumn, advertised on the Dover Billboards in November and had a stall at the Christmas Town Event on 4th December which generated much needed funds.
Since our celebration we have recruited 2 new prayer pastors and four street pastors who are about to begin their training and recently appointed a Coordinator commencing early in the New Year. Each Street Pastor recruit is estimated to cost around £300 to train and get patrol-ready, alongside the significant outlay for a paid coordinator, weekly equipment/resources, and keeping our Dover Initiative fit for purpose, so financial gifts and donations are always very welcome for this vital and valuable work. Details for donating can be found on our website.
However, we praise God. He has blessed us in so many ways, kept us safe and strengthened us in 2021. Our trust for the future remains totally in Him.
Website: www.dover.streetpastors.org
Email: dover@streetpastors..org.uk
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram– Dover Street Pastors Initiative
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## CTiD Website - http://www.christianstogetherindover.org.uk/
Marianne Slater
Sadly 2021 followed 2020 with very little activity to report on the website.
Information is very scant so there has been very little of it to post.
When there has been activity, details they have been uploaded as quickly as possible to keep information current but with so little going the section is almost empty section.
If anyone spots something I’ve missed please let me know.
I look forward again to have to juggle to get all events onto the website.
There has been a couple of technical glitches but thanks to Radient who host the website these have been resolved as soon as they were alerted to the problems.
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Christian Chronicle
Hazel Groves
No one has yet taken up the role of editor and the Christian Chronicle has not been published in 2021.
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## Dover Money Course
Deacon Michelle Legumi
## Courses
Owing to lockdown we ran 2 virtual courses: November 2020 and March 2021. These were not that successful as most of the delegates did not complete the whole course and there were also issues with the technology! Our first person to person course ran in September 2021 with four delegates which was very well received.
## Finances
Please see attached Dover Money Course accounts
During 2021 we spent £252. We have worked out that the budget we need for this next year to run at least 3 courses and to train x3 Money Coaches will be £623
We will be applying for funding from SE Kent Community fund and CTID to contribute towards venue use, training, workbooks, insurance etc. There is sufficient supply of publicity materials as these were not used during the pandemic.
## Coaches
We had a new Money Coach (Mr James Burke) join the team in 2021 and he led the most recent course which was a great success. Individual calls are being made to check availability and commitment of each money coach but we have 2/3 possible new coaches prepared to undergo training. The CAP training is currently online and costs £15. Wecurrently have x8 Money Coaches
## Agencies
It has been a challenge to relate to the agencies due to the Pandemic and lack of face to face meetings with potential delegates. A review of referral agencies will be undertaken so that we can ensure possible clients are aware of the course benefits. The Manager of the Dover Pantry attended the last course so she can be better informed to signpost potential delegates. It is hoped that Dover Outreach Centre will send a representative to attend the next course as personal testimony to their clients.
## 2022 Plans
We planned to run a course in partnership with St Richard’s Primary School for parents but this has now been postponed due to Covid. In terms of other courses tentative dates have been set for March, June and September for face-to-face courses. Times and venues to be decided. Radio Kent are very keen to have an interview with Deacon Michelle Legumi once the 2022 dates are announced.
Deacon Michelle Legumi Coordinator
Mrs Lynn Harris Administrator
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Walk of Witness Rev Barry Barton
The production process was very demanding in respect of the work required to produce both the Virtual Walk of Witness and the Easter Light Party (ELP) videos. It was equally demanding where the production of the ELP Activity Pack was concerned.
Each production team had the joy of seeing and experiencing, and not for the first time, Christians working enthusiastically together aimed at spreading the Good News of the Gospel whilst also helping and informing the people of Dover and Deal about social outreach activities available.
## **Good Friday ‘Virtual Walk of Witness (VWoW) 2021**
The Good Friday ‘Virtual Walk of Witness 2021’ comprised of 2 linked and blended parts: Part 1: 10 ‘Easter Voices’: YouTube Video: **http://ctid.pub/wow21** Part 2: 9 CTiD Social Outreach Activities: YouTube Video **http://ctid.pub/wow21** Each ‘Easter Voice’ alternated with a brief account of a social outreach activity.
## **Promotion**
The VWoW was actively promoted and with the help of Terry Sutton, a former member of the CTiD Exec. An article appeared in the Maundy Thursday edition (1/4/21) of the Dover Express entitled ‘Join the Easter Walk of Witness without leaving your living’ which include a short explanation of, and log on details to, the pre recorded video on YouTube of the virtual, Good Friday WoW.
In addition information also appeared on a number of websites including kentonline.co.uk, inyourarea.co.uk, and CTiD.
The CTiD Secretary emailed out the information about viewing of the virtual walk of witness YouTube video to both the leadership of the 36 churches with whom CTiD has a relationship with the object of informing their church congregation by placing the information provided into their parish newsletters. Information was also emailed to those on CTiD membership list and Facebook. Finally the VWoW was also promoted (Palm Sunday) and reported upon (Easter Sunday) on the ‘Sunday Programme’ Radio Kent.
## **VWOW**
Of particular note was collaborative working. Different people, using their skills and on occasion, for some, going well beyond their ‘comfort zone’, made the following contributions by being:
providers of social outreach activities background information,
behind the scene script editors,
up front on screen 'Easter Voice' or, social activities 'voice over',
promoters of the event to the local newspaper (hard copy) plus on line, local radio, local churches, CTiD membership and Facebook,
the principal link establisher and maintainer with radio Kent,
camera man, voice recorder, video editor and ‘uploader’ onto YouTube,
the ‘uploader’ and maintainer of the link onto CTiD website,
provider and site manager of the crosses at St Mary in Castro, Dover.
Etc.
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Songs of Praise to Care & Nursing Homes Rev Barry Barton, Rev Gordon Newton & Judith Shilling Willow Park Lodge Care Home Dover. Due to Covid restrictions it has not been possible to resume this activity in 2021. Our Priest has been able to attend the home on a weekly basis to engage with staff and residents particularly encouraging the latter to share their memories. .
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## Baby Basics Dover & Deal
Hannah Hills
2021 has been a busy year for Baby Basics Dover and Deal (BBD&D), we’ve seen an increase in the demand for our service and in turn an increase in the donations we have received. Below are some figures that represent this, the percentage increase is from the 2020 numbers. Some families have received more than one of the items that we offer combined in the same request.
Completed Requests 59 +25% Moses Basket Starter Packs 33 +10% Baby Bath Starter Packs 11 +45% Buggies 6 +50% Cots 5 +40% Feeding Bundles 11 Not offered last year Nappy/Toiletry Bundles 6 +20%
I must take this chance to thank Jemma, the Dover Morrisons Community Champion, for offering BBD&D Grab Bags to their customers. This has revolutionised the way we receive our donations, meaning we’re getting less of what we don’t have space for/need/accept. We have also launched a Common Good wish list this year which has mainly replaced our Amazon list as they are able to sell in bulk and hold donations to send in one parcel, reducing our carbon footprint. This was well received and we are extremely grateful to all have donated to us.
The biggest thing that has happened to BBD&D this year is the complete overhaul and refurbishment of our storage space. In January I met and started dating Rhys, he loves what Baby Basics does and as soon as he saw the sorry state of our storage space in my garage, he knew it could be so much better. Through his hard labour and the incredibly generous donations that kept pouring in from our supporters the storage spaces has been totally transformed, I even have carpet! It is now a dry, rodent proof, warmer and much smarter place to sort donations and prepare bundles. It took about 6 months to complete as we did most of the work ourselves to save on costs and in case you didn’t know, in December, we got married!
Hannah Hills, Team Leader BBD&D.
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Ecumenical Children’s Ministry
No Fear Living Helen Cheyney
The experience of Lockdown has had a huge impact across our population, not least for young people experiencing disruption to education, friendship groups, opportunities for developing independence and gathering with each other. CTiD were successful in securing a grant from Dover District Council to give an opportunity for young people to gather together and have fun, whilst hearing about our God who has not left them, who sees them, knows them and loves
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them. A Youth Event for ages 11-14 was organised and took place on Saturday 24th July entitled "No Fear Living". It was such a pleasure to work with Christians across Dover to plan the event, advertise it and run it. There was practical support from 5 churches across Dover, with the E of a guest speak from Deal on the day. We know LOTS of other Christians were involved in praying before the event and on the day, mobilised by Elaine Newton from the Dover Watchmen. We had 39 young people attend on the day, some already who had connections with churches as well as no connections. Covid 19 was still very much present at the time of this event and we do know that at least 3 young people were unable to attend due to the "close contact rules" at the time. It was a great day, that was peaceful and lots of fun.
Since this opportunity to gather together there has been a heart to continue providing some kind of space for youth across Dover to meet together for social times as well as experiencing the presence of God through worship and shared testimony. Oneyouth hosted the first Youth Service on Sunday 31st October at 7pm. This came about by challenging young people to design what they would like, and they came through with a great first Youth Service, of which there has been a subsequent one, and the first one in 2022 will take place on Sunday 23rd January 7-8:30pm. There have been between 18-19 young people attend, predominately from 3 different churches across Dover. However, we want this space to grow, to be welcoming for ALL youth across Dover. If you want to be involved, or find out more then please email youth@onechurchdover.org.uk
Easter Light Party Carol Boxall
The programme has definitely been a team effort and many being very generous sharing their skills and time.
It has been great to have so many young people involved this time.
For those taking part it has been a really positive experience, even though a great deal of patience and for some of us, understanding & getting to grips with the technology has been a challenge.
Viewing numbers have been good. Our Youtube Channel is showing 139 views. However, some views could have been to family groups and even whole schools. So the number of individual children, family members and school staff that will have received the Easter Message could now be in the upper hundreds.
We know it has gone global, including Kenya and New Zealand.
Feedback has been very positive
Comments of the video being ‘home-grown’, rather than supported by an external company, has been valued.
The activity pack has gone down well. http://ctid.pub/lightpartyeaster
## **Conclusion - Stay Safe, Have Fun and Share Jesus**
**This project has been so worthwhile. Through this, our third Virtual Light Party since last Autumn, we have reached many more children and families here in the UK and across the world than with events we have confined to our buildings. Praise God, giving us all plenty of food for thought for the future.**
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“Saints Alive!” Singers Susan Randall
A group from Dover and Folkestone churches had been practising “Saints Alive!” for 18 months (with performance dates planned for May 2020) when lockdown happened in March 2020. Some rehearsing continued using Zoom & then (for fear of “overkill”) we started to learn two other musicals.
“SAINTS ALIVE!” & “A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED”
Two musicals by Roger Jones, the first telling the story of Pentecost, based on Acts of Apostles, chapters 1 and 2. The second was written to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Robert Raikes (a key figure in founding Sunday Schools).
“HOPES AND DREAMS”
A musical written for the Millennium, based on the Lord’s Prayer, with music by Paul Field, drama and poetry by Stephen Deal, plus extra songs by Graham Kendrick. It ends with the Lord’s Prayer, set to Auld Lang Syne.
Our group, though a little smaller than the original, has now been augmented by new singers who are just as keen and enthusiastic! However, we are always happy to welcome in new singers, particularly altos and males!!
We are blessed to have two accomplished pianists (one being Gordon Newton) and a talented young percussionist. However, we would greatly welcome any other musicians who would like to join us.
We are currently planning on putting on a Review in the spring called “Dreaming with a Grain of Hope” which is a combination of these three musicals. As yet our dates for performing are uncertain being hampered by circumstances “beyond our control!”
For further information:
Contact Susan Randall susandrandall51518@gmail.com 07761 765689
or Gordon Newton gordon.d.newton@gmail.com 07982 466549
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Dover Fairtrade Town Network
Pam Brivio, Secretary
The year started well for DFTN, we gave presentations to two classes at River Primary School in January (by invitation) and attended a meeting of the Headstart group at The One Church in February (again by invitation) – from this we had leads for other groups to contact (we had a supply of Footballs that were keen to donate to Football clubs). Group also supported a Wine Tasting event held in Deal as part of Fairtrade Fortnight and held a display of Fairtrade goods at River Coop plus a stall was held at Co innovation.
Then COVID struck so our programmes of events to attend during the year were all eventually cancelled. In the absence of being able to meet publicly, a Facebook page was set up for the group where can post information that we get from Fairtrade Foundation.
Have met jointly (virtually) with the Deal Group to look at what we can do to promote Fairtrade Fortnight for 2021; (22 February to 7 March 2021). It is hoped to hold a joint virtual meeting, possibly on 3 March 2021 (which did happen)
2021 The theme was “Choose the World you want this Fairtrade Fortnight”. And highlighted the growing challenges that climate change brings to farmers and workers in the communities that Fairtrade works with.
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With the emergence of the global COVID pandemic, the challenges that farmers face now are bigger than ever before with falling commodity prices and widespread shocks reverberating along our global supply chains. Ongoing poverty in farming communities makes it increasingly hard to cope with the effects of climate change.
Dover District council have been supportive of the two Fairtrade groups (have representatives on both Dover and Deal groups), their support has now become more proactive in that they hosted the virtual meeting via their digital platform. A request for a speaker had been made to Fairtrade Foundation which was accepted and Adam Gardner agreed to be our guest and invites were sent out to members of community, CTID, DTC/DDC councillors. It was of course a different event to what would normally hold in Fairtrade Fortnight but was a good opportunity to learn about the experiences of Fairtrade Producers; what being part of the Fairtrade movement means to them and the current challenges they face. The Group is also pleased to have the continuing support from Dover Town Council
Also during Fairtrade Fortnight (2021) a number of articles were provided for Parish Magazines who either -publicised them physically or posted them on their websites. The offer of donations of Footballs were made and via Corinne Watson, our local Coop Pioneer , several donations were made to local football clubs/local college etc. Corinne was successful in getting interest from the local Dover Community Magazine which printed an article and photograph on importance of Fairtrade and includes a photo making a donation of Footballs to local club. Overall was so successful we ran out of Footballs and are awaiting a further supply.
Pam Brivio, spoke to a group of Coop Pioneers about Fairtrade and also gave a talk to U3A who in turn donated £50 to Fairtrade Foundation. Since activities started to re open the group have attended the following with donations of Fairtrade Chocolate and Bananas by Coop Pioneer* River Safari – June 2021*
Samphire cultural festival – July 2021 Tower hamlets Forum – Fun Day August 2021 Big Local Urban Fete – September 2021 THF Community Engagement Day – October 2021 Stall at Charlton Church Fair 4/12/21
Now planning for Fairtrade Fortnight 21 February – 6 March 2022 – theme is again CHOOSE THE WORLD YOU WANT THIS FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT – highlighting the issues of Climate change and how this affects Fairtrade producers and their families
Our group are planning to have information stalls with tasters at a number of Coop Stores and other retail outlets. Will be looking to host a Reception later in the year when it should be easier to hold a public event.
I would like to highlight the issue of Fairtrade churches and ask if churches are able to provide Fairtrade goods for any event that they may be able to hold. We no longer have a Traidcraft Seller in Dover and know this may have had an effect (though many stores sell Fairtrade, goods, Tea Coffee etc.
And finally do have access to exhibition on Climate Change and effect this is having on Fairtrade Farmers, producers and steps that are being taken by Fairtrade Foundation to provide support. If any church would like to borrow this do please let me know.
Pam Brivio DFTN 07772471905
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