Blog

TLG joins call for support for the church and charity sector

06th April 2020

Founder and Chief Executive of Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), Tim Morfin, co-signed a letter calling for the Government to support the vital work of the church and charity sector during this time of crisis.

For any press enquiries about the letter, please contact our PR team who will be happy to assist you.

The Rt Hon. Boris Johnson MP

Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London

SW1A 2AA

6 April 2020

The Rt Hon. Rishi Sunak MP

The Rt Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE MP

Dear Prime Minister,

We would like to start by thanking you for all you are doing to lead this nation through this unprecedented situation and for the incredible efforts you have made to keep us in touch with your plans.

Our world is in the thick of a crisis like no other; our families, our society, our economy are being challenged in previously unimaginable ways.

Thankfully, this country has a resource which is used to stepping up, supporting and finding solutions. This resource is the Church: a body of people who know all about compassionately supporting people in their communities and inspiring others to do the same.

Working hard alongside the churches are a myriad of Christian charities who exist to equip and support the Church as they look after those around them. Right now, in the most difficult of times, we are doing what Jesus told us to do: to love our neighbour.

The Church is an unequalled army of highly motivated and experienced volunteers, on the ground in every city, town and village. Equipped by the charities we represent, we see them:

Help people manage their money and deal with personal debt
Inform and support those needing government help
Deliver food parcels to vulnerable people
Ensure children in poverty are prioritised
Reach those who are not online and ensure they are cared for
Help people stay healthy and positive, especially those with poor mental health
Connect those who want to give and volunteer with those in need
Bring hope and address loneliness at a very local level
Assist in safeguarding some of society's most vulnerable children
Send support to and stand in solidarity with communities living in extreme poverty around the world.

We know that a future economic downturn will mean that our care will be needed more than ever. The challenge is seeing our income plummet at the same time as circumstances dictate we step up, which diminishes our ability to support local churches in doing what they do best.

We appreciate the ways the Chancellor has helped families and businesses in this time of crisis and urgently ask that the same support may be found for the vital work of the charitable sector and the Church, as we continue to do all we can.

Yours sincerely,

Amanda Bindon and Mike Royal, Cinnamon Network

Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Christian Aid

Andy Hawthorne, The Message Trust

Catherine Healey, ACET International

Eustace Constance, Ascension Trust

Heather Keates, Community Money Advice

Henrietta Blyth, Open Doors UK & Ireland

Justin Humphreys, Thirtyone:eight

Karina Martin, Welcome Churches

Kat Osborn, Safe Families

Mark Heasman, Christian Camping International