The Need Project was established as a part of the caring ministry of King’s Baptist Church in Stotfold, but now works through a number of local churches in Central Bedfordshire.
We are dedicated to helping the community based on objectives taken from our founding constitution:
Our Vision
The Need Project exists to provide compassionate and practical Christian responses to all our neighbours who are experiencing the effects of poverty and hardship. Our responses include the provision of food parcels for as long as required and resources allow, and where possible access to a safe place where our neighbours can come and be supported in finding the help they need including emotional, professional and pastoral care in their journey out of poverty.
To achieve this vision we have the following:
Values
We are a Christian organisation motivated by Jesus’ teaching on poverty and injustice. We operate according to Christian principles of compassion, honesty, integrity, openness, kindness and care of all people, regardless of backgrounds or beliefs (or none). We are passionate about inclusion and being non-judgemental is central to what we do. We believe that everyone has the right to have food on their plate, dignity, skills, a chance to work and hope for the future.
Aims
The Trustees employ a number of strategies to assist The Need Project to alleviate poverty or financial hardship and meet its Objects by:
- Providing free food parcels, and when resources allow furniture and clothing, for adults and families experiencing financial crisis.
- By providing food and other essentials to families and individuals referred to the charity by recognised social work agencies, local authorities, community bodies, churches, charities or other organisations whose purpose includes the prevention or relief of poverty (‘referral agencies’).
- Developing effective relationships with local councils (County, unitary, parish and town), referral agencies, faith groups and community groups.
- Ensuring wide community participation in the charity’s projects through giving, and raising awareness.
- Developing a culture of lifelong learning throughout the organisation in order to allow the trustees, core staff and volunteers to do their allotted jobs effectively.
- Building strong links with the local media, and regularly updating the charity’s website in order to stimulate public awareness of the charity’s work and the issues facing people in poverty and distress.
- Setting up social enterprises which add value to the charity’s existing projects by generating surpluses.
- Identifying, evaluating and incorporating best practice in project templates to ensure that projects become self-sustaining and are easy to replicate.
- Working closely with churches to help the Christian faith community to take a more active, practical and effective role in social action.
- Providing educational support to enable those referred to become more self sufficient where it is appropriate and resources allow.
