Members in the diocese of London set up a singing group as part of their branch's outreach and service to their neigbours.
The emphasis is on the health and social benefits of singing together such as stress relief. (That's why it's not called a choir - which suggest a certain standard of singing and perhaps an ability to read music.) Based at St. Luke's church the 'Clay Hill singers' meet in the daytime to encourage people who might be anxious about going out in the evening.
When a person has dementia they may become bewildered about their environment and sometimes become agitated. These quilts offer a focus, enabling the individual and their firends and carers to explore the blanket together.
The aim is to maintain finger skills with buttons, zips, ribbons and Velcro and provide stimulation and conversation topics.
These quilts can be donated to hospitals and care homes where they can be used to help those experiencing dementia and also people recovering from a stroke.
Mothers' Union in the diocese of Southwark set up a group called MU PLUS at a member's home with the idea to get together for Prayer, Lunch, Updates and Socialising while children are at school.
Since 2007 Mothers' Union members in the diocese of Manchester in conjunction with the University Chaplaincy have been involved in welcoming new students to Manchester University.
Members donate basics such as mugs, sugar sticks, coffee sticks, sachets of hot chocolate, cuppa soup, individually wrapped chocolate biscuits which are then put in 'goody bags' and handed out to those visiting 'Welcome Week'. They also enclose their 'Flirthing with Food' booklet of simple recipes, along with leaflets produced by the University Chaplaincy.
Members in Oxford diocese support a variety of food banks. Many of those have asked Mothers' Union for recipe cards to give out to their customers.
Members have produced laminated A4 recipe cards that help people create dishes with the food that they can receive at the food banks.
Mothers' Union members in Birmingham are helping mums and other women in their Church connect with each other through relaxed and informal fellowship meetings.
Most of the women in the group attend Church but cannot do so regularly, so they love getting together informally for some fun, food and fellowship, and some time away from family responsibilities.
When students go to the university, it can be the first time they have to cook and budget for themselves. To support them, Mothers' Union members in various dioceses have been collaborating with local universities and their Chaplaincy teams to produce cook books with cheap and nutritious recipes.
A widow wanted to reach out to other ladies who like her might be feeling a little bit lonely. This grew into the Golden Girls Club, an opportunity for people who might being feeling a bit isolated from the community to meet up every week.
People come along on a regular basis, and feel that they have a club to belong to. The group have visits out to farm shops, garden centres and restaurants.
I find that the ‘girls’ are so keen, so eager to try anything, it’s wonderful to see them enjoying things that they would never have tried on their own.
The fork to plate project aims to help families from a variety of cultures meet each other. They then gain a better understanding of the lifetyle and skills that people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds have.
Spare ground near a centre for refugees is being used to grow fruit and vegetables, with families working together at every stage.
The plan is to make jam together from some of the fruit that is harvested. Parents and children are involved in the project, supported by a team of volunteers which includes Mothers’ Union members.
Every Thursday, members organise a friendship session for women who are now making their home in the UK. These women come from countries including Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Thailand. They all appreciate this kind support and friendship, many having tragic stories to share.
Some are able to speak English, with others just learning. Some have young children and babies and are trying to cope without husbands or family.
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