2024 Cinnamon Incubator Competition Winners Announced

2024 Cinnamon Incubator Competition Winners Announced

On Wednesday 15 November, The Starfish Alliance fought off stiff competition to win the 2024 Cinnamon Incubator Competition at St Peter’s Church, Notting Hill, London.

Since April, Cinnamon have been looking for ambitious church-led social action projects that are addressing emerging challenges in their communities and want to replicate their work.

Five finalists pitched their initiatives in front of a panel of judges, invited guests for a chance to win a £20,000 development grant.

Bryan Elliot, founder of The Starfish Alliance (www.starfish.org.uk/), presented an emotional pitch about the organisation which trains and equips local churches to host life-changing camps and mentoring clubs for care-experienced children ages six to 12. The programmes immerse children who have experienced traumatic family disruption with hopeful teaching, challenging new and fun activities, and impactful memories.

All finalists have secured a place on Cinnamon’s coveted two-year Incubator Programme where they will receive support from industry professionals to help them growth and replicate their work for the benefit of communities across the UK.

Since 2013, the Cinnamon Incubator Programme has helped 58 initiatives go from fledgling organisations to become established charities. Alumni of the programme include Make Lunch and Renew Wellbeing, who are now operating in hundreds of locations across the UK.

The judges were particularly impressed with the innovation and determination of the winners who have already achieved so much with limited resources.

Bryan Elliot, Founder of the Starfish Alliance said: “Winning is game changing. The funds that we receive will help us hire some more part time people to work on our funding, and church engagement. But more than that, I get to work with the four other projects that presented last night. We get to spend time together becoming better organisations improving the world that God created and we get tremendous coaching to help us do that.

Mark Kitson, Associate Director at Cinnamon and head of the judging panel, said: “It’s truly remarkable to see the passion and dedication of our finalists. They are hungry to learn and I am so excited about journeying with them over the next two years. The best is yet to come! “

The 2024 Cinnamon Incubator Competition runners up are:

• Begin Well offers free antenatal courses through trained church volunteers. Based on evidence and developed by healthcare professionals, Begin Well courses enhance health and community outcomes. With a body, mind, soul approach, Begin Well courses cover not only childbirth, but caring for baby and relationships underpinned by faith values. beginwell.org.uk

• Compassionate Conversations is part of the bereavement support offered by Befriended – a charity working with local churches to bring an end to loneliness and isolation.  The three-week course enables people to process loss, grief and or bereavement in a safe and supportive environment. befriended.org/

• Grant A Smile are the pioneers of specialised, trauma-informed decluttering, organising and deep cleaning services. Designed for individuals living in potentially hazardous homes or those battling mental health, chronic health, OCD, hoarding disorder and other neuro-diverse challenges. grantasmile.org.uk/

• Hazelnut Community is an eco-church plant that worship, grows food, reach out to the community, and engage creatively with ecological breakdown. This is also the space for experimenting and trying new things that can be used by other churches. hazelnutcommunityfarm.com