Client Stories: Making A Difference

Earlier this month was International Volunteer Day, which takes place on the 5th of December every year, celebrates the amazing work of volunteers across the world and all they do to support charities and communities. Every day volunteers dedicate their time and energy to helping those in need, in turn helping to build a better future for us all.

We wanted to take this opportunity to highlight some of the awesome people we’re lucky enough to work with, and share the great things they do to help improve their communities.

A Place For Us CIC

A Place For Us is a performing arts academy and critically acclaimed theatre company that inspires, challenges and trains young people in Halton, Merseyside and the surrounding areas. As a Community Interest Company, they provide creative, inclusive, cultural experiences that create a positive impact in the community.

“A masterclass in socially engaged practice and artistic citizenship……Terrific and inspiring work to transform lives through music”

Their theatre company is free to join and take part in for young people. Instead, they fundraise to cover the costs for their wonderful productions, several of which were performed at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool, including Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar and Oliver!

This year, A Place For Us won the ‘Excellence in Musical Theatre 2021’ category of the Music & Drama Awards, an amazing achievement which shows their dedication to making theatre more accessible to young people.

Throughout the pandemic, A Place For Us ran an online acting course entitled ‘Making a Drama out of a Crisis’, which gave young people the chance to create, write and perform their own characters in response to Lockdown. You can watch them here. They also partnered with Windmill Hill Big Local to bring fully funded places on a similar course at Runcorn, which allowed young people to meet weekly and work with professional theatre directors and actors.

“We feel it is vital for young people to stay connected and creative during these times, and drama and the performing arts are powerful ways to help with mental and physical well-being.” – A Place For Us

Despite their show dates being set back twice due to the pandemic, A Place For Us will be carrying out their Christmas Carol tour throughout December to various venues across the Northwest!

Fusion UK

Fusion UK is a movement to give students a support network and home in the church whilst studying, preparing them for mission and discipleship. By sharing mission stories they equip students with the tools and training they need to help play their part in church communities.

“We will tell the story of the movement through sharing exciting student mission ideas & stories from across the world to encourage, inspire and provoke you to pray bigger as you step out in boldness and faith.” – Fusion UK

Their Student Workers volunteer programme trains full-time, part-time and volunteers to learn together, encourage one another and disciple this generation. As well as focusing on university students, they also run Student Linkup sessions which help prepare young people for university life, discussing big questions like who they want to be, how they want to live and what they want to achieve.

They also created the Student Linkup app, which enables students to find their local churches, and ultimately a home from home. Alongside this, they provide resources to run small groups online or in person, and a podcast which discusses students, faith and life.

“Once you find the right church everything makes more sense and having the support network makes uni life much easier.” – Lindsay, Student

As well as providing church communities to students, Fusion UK also helps church leaders to stay connected to the ever-changing student culture and bring life to their church. By working with churches around the world, they help to ensure every student has the opportunity to find hope in Jesus and their local congregation.

Chosen People Ministries UK

Chosen People Ministries UK is a registered charity that reaches out to and cares for Jewish people and communities across the UK, spreading the good news of Yeshua the Messiah and acting as an advocate for Jewish people. Their mission was founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1894 by Rabbi Leopold Cohn, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant with a zeal to share the knowledge of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah with God’s chosen people.

Through personal and small group Bible studies they help people to grow their faith and establish communities to reach their Jewish neighbours. Members regularly speak at churches throughout the country and they host a variety of events for people to get involved with. They also provide resources and ministry opportunities to the Jewish community, as well as a podcast, and have a volunteer programme for those that want to get more involved.

“Chosen People Ministries exists to pray for, evangelize, disciple, and serve Jewish people everywhere and to help fellow believers do the same.”