Volunteering

Twenty-five years ago, people in need would knock on the little red door of St. Mary’s Monastery on St. Alphonsus Road in Clapham asking for help, so the Redemptorists set up an open access outreach project to support the vulnerable and homeless.

In 2020, The Ace of Clubs provided 37,771 meals. A one-stop-shop, we provide for the basic human needs of individuals we support: access to food, clothing, healthcare, laundry and much more.

We continue our mission to get people off the street and into safe, comfortable homes.

CHS is a member of Citizens UK Lambeth, which is an organisation which links all 24 groups in Lambeth, many are churches, mosques and synagogues, and schools and colleges who come together to work on social justice themes.

We work through community organising. We as a church are currently active in the Refugees Welcome group, where working with Lambeth Council we are in the process of welcoming 5 Afghan families, in addition to the 26 Syrian families already here.

Other active projects we are working on are addressing the Digital Divide, improving Mental Health provision across South London and supporting children and young people achieve Social Mobility.

“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.

We are part of a nationwide network of food banks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

You could help change girls’ lives

If you are looking for a new challenge, or maybe just something to fill 2 hours of your week and enjoy giving girls their own space then contact us to find out how you could volunteer your time or just share your skills with our members.

Girlguiding changes as the lives of girls change and girls can have amazing opportunities and new experiences. From attending their first Big Gig pop music concert to joining campaigns — Girlguiding gives girls a voice to speak out about the issues they care about.

We currently have three projects running within the scheme, all providing support to families with children under 5 years of age:

Five to Thrive: Focusing on attachment primarily in the first months of a child’s life

Resilient & Ready Project: Strengthening families and preparing children for nursery

Domestic Abuse Project: Supporting families with experience of domestic abuse and running the Freedom Programme

Holy Spirit Clapham leads a network of congregations involved in our LGBT+ outreach activities in the Lambeth area, with the aim of creating ‘a safe, sacred space of welcome and reflection particularly for those who have felt excluded’.

Our group, originally consisting of steering committee members from Holy Spirit Clapham and St Paul’s Clapham, started under the banner of ‘Welcoming Church Lambeth’ several years ago.

In 2019, we re-named ourselves ‘Just Church’ as we have grown to include more parishes. During the pandemic, we held online services and Pride celebrations.

Looking ahead, we hope to have more in-person outreach and worship, ideally at local LGBT+ establishments.

Since 2007, Robes has operated across Southwark and Lambeth to provide shelter and vital welfare advice for people who find themselves homeless in London.

From November to the end of March, Robes will be providing accommodation in Canary Wharf for a group of homeless people.

We are looking for volunteers who can help provide support to these guests during this period.