Top Five Church-Led Social Action Projects Set to Compete for Prestigious Cinnamon Incubator Award

Top Five Church-Led Social Action Projects Set to Compete for Prestigious Cinnamon Incubator Award

On Wednesday, 13 November, the Cinnamon Network will host the 2024 Incubator Final, celebrating innovative church-driven social action initiatives making a tangible impact in their communities.

Held at St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill, the event will feature five outstanding projects tackling a range of urgent social issues and competing for a £20,000 award and a coveted place on the Cinnamon Incubator Programme.

For the past decade, the Cinnamon Network has identified and supported social action projects addressing the most pressing needs in society. Each year, promising initiatives are invited to apply for this life-changing opportunity.

This year’s finalists have been selected after an extensive nationwide search and will present their projects at Wednesday’s event.

The 2024 finalists include:

• 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
• The Starfish Alliance trains and equips local churches to host life-changing camps and mentoring clubs for care-experienced children ages six to 12. Our programmes immerse children who have experienced traumatic family disruption with hopeful teaching, challenging new and fun activities, and impactful memories. starfish.org.uk/

Over the past 10 years, more than 58 projects have benefited from the Cinnamon Incubator Programme, with 32 of them successfully replicating in over 1,000 locations across the UK, positively impacting the lives of over 160,000 people.

British churches continue to play a crucial role in supporting their communities, often stepping in where other services fall short. According to EIDO Research, 76% of British churches provide events for the elderly, and 40% work with the homeless. The Cinnamon Network’s mission is to empower churches to meet the ever-evolving needs of their communities effectively.

The five finalists will join the prestigious Cinnamon Project Incubator, often described as an “MBA for church-led social action.” The Incubator Programme spans two years and provides participants with high-quality training and mentorship from industry professionals in areas like fundraising, governance, and marketing. Participants also gain invaluable networking opportunities to help them build capacity and expand their reach across the UK.

The Cinnamon Project Incubator is valued at over £21,000, making it an invitation-only opportunity that money can’t buy.

Quotes:

Clare Banham, Director of The Haven and current Cinnamon Incubator participant, shared:
“It’s rare to be part of a learning community so dedicated to helping small organizations grow and replicate within the Christian community.”

Amanda Bindon, Chief Executive of the Cinnamon Network, said:
“Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with some truly remarkable individuals and projects. The needs in our nation aren’t diminishing, which is why it’s essential to develop local solutions that make a real difference – and that’s exactly what the Incubator Competition is all about.”

For more information, please visit cinnamonnetwork.co.uk/final.