Counting the cost of Coronavirus

The financial challenges facing our communities are more complex and overwhelming than have ever been experienced. The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in the UK jumped by more than 856,000 in April, the first full month of the lockdown. Helplines have been inundated with queries from people who are confused about their options, including a growing number who find themselves unable to access government support schemes. Demand for support is set to increase exponentially during the summer as payment holidays and state-backed furlough schemes come to an end, and redundancies increase.

In the face of these realities, the Cinnamon Network believes that the Church is well placed to respond to the need. Cinnamon has arranged a Webinar to explore what local churches can do to help those experiencing financial hardship now and in the months ahead. The free, online Webinar will take place on Thursday 4 June, between 11.00am and 12.00pm.

Nick Amis (Cinnamon Network) will be talking with Jenny Herrera (Executive Director of Acts 435), Heather Keates (CEO of Community Money Advice and Paula Stringer (CEO of CAP UK). Topics of discussion include:

• What financial challenges people are currently facing
• How are financial needs are likely to change over the next few months
• What churches can do to support individuals and families
• What organisations and tools are available to help churches respond

For more information and to register, click HERE.