Financial hardship
Financial inequality is increasing in our country and in our area. As a church community, we’re not ok with that, because God has a particular heart for the poor and powerless.
SCRATCH is one of the organisations that deal with financial hardship that we support.
SCRATCH is one of the organisations that deal with financial hardship that we support.
SCRATCH
SCRATCH launched in 1999 with the aim of relieving the effects of poverty, hardship and disadvantage for people living in and around Southampton. They seek to do this through various anti-poverty projects. A couple of which are below.
Furniture To Flourish
The largest area of work is Furnish To Flourish (previously DORCAS Project) which redistributes donated furniture and household items to people referred to the project as being in need. This could be as a result of homelessness, having suffered a family tragedy, been the victim of theft, fire or flood or simply unable to afford the cost of new furniture items. SCRATCH are frequently asked to deliver a whole package of furniture (ranging from beds to settees) when families are moving into permanent accommodation with nothing apart from a few bags of clothes and personal possessions.
The largest area of work is Furnish To Flourish (previously DORCAS Project) which redistributes donated furniture and household items to people referred to the project as being in need. This could be as a result of homelessness, having suffered a family tragedy, been the victim of theft, fire or flood or simply unable to afford the cost of new furniture items. SCRATCH are frequently asked to deliver a whole package of furniture (ranging from beds to settees) when families are moving into permanent accommodation with nothing apart from a few bags of clothes and personal possessions.
Christmas Complete
The Christmas Complete Project provides parcels of gifts to families referred to SCRATCH, so that their children will have parcels to open on Christmas Day - In December 2022 they were able to provide a parcel of presents to 2762 children and young people. That is an increase of 21% from the previous year. Donations of toys, gifts and financial contributions are needed to ensure they can help as many families as possible. Donations can be dropped off in Church or at the Parish Office.
Further details regarding all the SCRATCH projects and how to donate can be found on the SCRATCH website.
The Christmas Complete Project provides parcels of gifts to families referred to SCRATCH, so that their children will have parcels to open on Christmas Day - In December 2022 they were able to provide a parcel of presents to 2762 children and young people. That is an increase of 21% from the previous year. Donations of toys, gifts and financial contributions are needed to ensure they can help as many families as possible. Donations can be dropped off in Church or at the Parish Office.
Further details regarding all the SCRATCH projects and how to donate can be found on the SCRATCH website.
