Community Support
Did you know that SBC supports various local charities by sending them donations once a year? Here is some information about two of these organisations, Christian Family Concern and Croydon Hearing.
Christian Family Concern is based in Park Hill in South Croydon. It is committed to supporting families and they work with all sections of Croydon's multicultural community, reaching out to the more disadvantaged and those needing additional support. They are involved in counselling, running a day nursery and supporting young mothers through their bedsits. Their Christian ethos is at the heart of everything they do.
CFC has three counsellors, one of whom is an SBC member. Counselling sessions take place online or in person, depending on which the client prefers.
Wallis House has 16 bedsits and caters for young mothers, aged 16–19 years. Key workers give weekly support to the women – support sessions include topics such as accessing benefits, budgeting, child care, child development, parenting skills, accessing education and independent living skills. Beracca House has 11 bedsits and provides semi-independent living for homeless mothers/mothers to be. Staff are available to give support when needed.
CFC also runs a 56-place nursery which offers a warm welcome to all families. The nursery runs from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 51 weeks a year. The Christian values of the organisation underpin their outlook and the care given to every child or adult entering their doors.
Croydon Hearing provides a vital service to many people with hearing loss, some in our own congregation. The staff have had to make huge changes in the way they work because of the pandemic. During lockdowns they had continued to call clients whilst clinics could not happen. Home visits replaced clinics, although staff often completed repairs on the doorstep or in their cars. Phoning clients and calling to their homes (rather than clinic visits) often alerted them to the need a client might have for more aids – better phone amplification or flashing lights for doorbells.
The six clinics they run in Croydon have started again recently, but clients need to book rather than just turn up. Most of the venues they use have raised their fees, thus increasing costs for them. Admin staff have had to take on extra roles, supporting technical staff at clinics, so have been particularly busy. The organisation provides a very valuable and personal service for many people in our borough. They do receive some funding from the NHS, but this funding and the funding from the Council do not cover all their expenses. They are very grateful for donations like ours and commented on Lorna Rogers’ faithful interest and support for them over many years.
Watch out for future articles in INSight giving details of the other local charities to whom we have sent donations this year.