Almost one in five of us say that we feel lonely often or always. One in ten of us say we have no close friends.
The latest paper by CUF, ‘Connecting Communities: The impact of loneliness and opportunities for churches to respond’, explores what it means to be lonely and shares three key findings from literature that will enable churches to support those who feel lonely. The Report, by Tim Burton Jones, is quite long but can be read or downloaded at https://www.cuf.org.uk/blog/how-can-the-church-respond-to-loneliness.
It concludes:
Churches are uniquely well placed to carry out the types of activities that have been proven to be most effective in reducing loneliness.
As a result of their local presence and their existing community life, churches are able to welcome people of all ages and stages of life into the new friendships and activity groups that help to reduce loneliness. They can also offer people opportunities to give, as well as to receive. By allowing people to take ownership of those groups, to volunteer and to give of themselves to others, churches can help to build people’s wellbeing, self-esteem and sense of purpose. In our increasingly fragmented society it is crucial that churches continue to respond to the issue of loneliness, offering hope and friendship to thpse most isolated in our communities. 46%
After the great success of the Advent Sleepout Challenge in 2015, we are excited to announce its return!
The Advent Sleepout Challenge is a national, sponsored event facilitated by CUF to help marginalised people in England transform their lives and communities.
Advent 2015 saw the first ever Advent Sleepout Challenges take place. This year it’s back, bigger and better!
Last year we raised a massive £93,450 after 75 events happened in churches and communities across the country.
This Advent we are inviting you to take the challenge! Gather your friends, family, church, and community groups to give up a night of comfort by sleeping out. You can even use the Christmas story as inspiration to create your own Advent ‘stable’ and give up a night of comfort; sleeping out with friends, families, church groups, clubs and community groups.
Join in the fun by organising your own sleepout as well as find all the resources you need on the Advent Sleepout Challenge website https://www.sleepoutchallenge.org.uk/