Meet Our Communities- Christ Church Barnet
Introducing Christ Church Barnet- one of the wonderful partner communities of Together in Barnet.
I spoke to Richard, Volunteer coordinator at Christ Church Barnet (CCB) about his role with Together in Barnet (TiB) and CCB being a Together in Barnet community.
How would you describe your role in Together in Barnet?
I am the team co-ordinator for Christ Church Barnet (CCB), who along with other faith communities, have been providing meals for people experiencing homelessness.
What would you say is your favourite part about your work with TiB?
The large and increasing number of people suffering from being homeless in Barnet is evident for all to see, so it’s great to be able to help make a real difference for those in need.
What would you say is the most challenging part about your work with TiB?
Having to rustle up some food at short notice due to a volunteer falling ill or because there is a new guest at the shelter which may change the numbers of meals needed, sometimes at quite short notice.
How long has CCB been involved with TiB?
It is three years since CCB hosted their first Winter Night Shelter during the Spring of 2019. We hosted another shelter in 2020 although unfortunately that was cut short by the impact of COVID. Since then, we have been involved in each of the Hotel Projects catering for guests staying at the hotel emergency shelter.
SAMPLE DINNER AND BREAKFAST MENU
Can you tell me about the wonderful volunteers at CCB and what they do?
CCB shared the work of preparing and delivering food for a Thursday evening and Friday breakfast, typically on a rota every three weeks. The quality of the food has been fantastic – the volunteers from CCB made a brilliant effort despite numerous lockdowns and restrictions. Most of the food is prepared in the volunteers’ own homes and to a very high standard.
CCB also provided surplus food from their foodbank to Together in Barnet’s partner charity, Homeless Action in Barnet as well as donating money towards the COVID- safe TiB Hotel Project. More recently one of the groups at CCB donated their Autumn term charity collection to the cause which not only paid for some of the food that CCB provide, but also enabled us to provide each of our guests with a New Year ‘gift bag’.
What does a typical night look like when CCB host the shelter during non-pandemic times?
A team of volunteers welcome our guests and provide them with a warm and safe environment in which to relax and eat an evening meal, sleep and have breakfast the next day.
After a warm welcome our guests enjoy tea/coffee with biscuits/cake in the church lounge before being served an evening meal by volunteers who mingle with our guests throughout the evening. After the meal people may chat, read a paper, play a game of cards or maybe table football. However, some guests may prefer to be on their own or go to bed early. Sleeping arrangements are provided in the church hall and the next day a simple breakfast is served before our guests leave.
How has COVID changed the way CCB works with TiB?
There has been far less interaction between the volunteers at CCB and the guests. Not just because it has not been possible to host a shelter at our church but also because the serving of food is done at a remote location - the TiB hotel which has strict protocols for COVID-safe interaction between staff, volunteers and the guests.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about CCB?
Christ Church Barnet is a friendly church for all ages where everyone is welcome. Our vision is “The transformation of Barnet and beyond, with the love of Jesus, one life at a time”. Being involved with TiB and the winter night shelter is part of seeing out that vision.
