ACTS 435 – Every Church Fits!


The Archbishop of York’s online giving charity, Acts 435 is a charity designed to help those in need in local communities, urban and rural. It is an effective and direct way to bring financial resources to meet need, using the local church as the key face-to-face point of contact.


Taking its name from the book of Acts and the community portrayed in Chapters 2 and 4, the big idea is that through the website there is a simple, modern way for those with resources to give to those who are struggling to meet the cost of something specific, such as a washing machine, carpets, emergency travel or even a bed.


Take ‘Matthew’ from a rural village in North Yorkshire whose circumstances were making it very hard to heat his family’s home over the winter, or the


family in another village suddenly made homeless and needing food. Donors generously responded to these needs and £100 was provided for each family.


“Acts 435 has been designed to fit into the specific way a church may operate…”


www.acts435.org.uk is the place of exchange as donors can see what type of request touches their hearts. Acts 435 is particularly attractive to donors because 100% of what is given goes directly to the individual or family in need with nothing removed for administration costs.


Speed is of the essence and once the full donation has been given, the


person in need should have the money or the item required within a week.


Acts 435 has been designed to fit into the specific way a church may operate and the guidelines are easily aligned to what a church is already doing. For rural communities we suggest having various Acts 435 advocates (volunteers) who report cases of need to one central advocate who posts the requests online and manages the money.


We are keen to get many more churches signed up, helping those struggling with the rising cost of living. It is a wonderful opportunity to show how God cares and how we want to take Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbour seriously. If you’d like to get involved, please email jherrera@acts435.org.uk for more details.


www.acts435.org.uk


Over the hill?


Over the hill? aims to highlight the challenges faced by those growing older in the countryside


This three year research project is particularly focusing on housing and financial inclusion. It has also looked at some ground-breaking approaches that have been introduced to deal with these challenges. The project has researched and then filmed eight case studies. These films can be viewed on-line or on DVD (available free of charge to those who work with, influence or make decisions on behalf of rural older people).


The DVD tells the story of eight local projects from Dorset to North Yorkshire, all working to provide the things older people want and need, not just the things others think they need.


For more information: www.ruralmedia.co.uk/over-the-hill-question/ or 01432 344039


6 www. countryway. org. uk


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