A church that is helping some of the most vulnerable people in Blackburn has been financially backed by Great Places.
The Christ Apostolic Church Mount Zion International on Johnston Street in Blackburn has been given £5,000 to help fund a free weekly tea and coffee morning, which includes sandwiches, to ensure people have a chance to eat.
The money was donated from Great Places Housing Group’s Greater Together Fund, which helps community groups across the north.
Pastor Michael Ajibola said the money has been invaluable to giving the people who need it a place to come so that the trained volunteers can help with advice and signposting services.
He said: “We are incredibly grateful to Great Places as they are helping us to help people in our local community.
“We get about 30 people a week and they are able to come in, relax and it helps them to open up so we understand what challenges they face.
“We are based in a mixed community and we get a very diverse mix of customers where people of all races, ethnicities and religions come together and talk and we are so happy to be able to continue to provide that.”
Pastor Ajibola added that the church has big plans to turn one of their rooms into a library and an IT hub where people can get online to apply for the jobs and also are hoping to set up a food club to provide food parcels to those who need help.
Great Places’ Head of Community Investment Rosie Longden said: “The church and volunteers do a fantastic job in their community and they are a vital lifeline to the people in the locality.
“That part of Blackburn is very diverse and they are able to bring people together, people who may otherwise never get a chance to talk. We’re very pleased to see them flourish.”
The tea and coffee mornings take place every Monday from 10am-12noon at the church at 85 Johnston Street, Blackburn BB2 1HY. For more information contact Pastor Ajibola on 07449104132 or email cacmzibb@gmail.com.
