4 October 2023
Waltham Forest Deanery were well represented at the Waltham Forest Faith and Belief awards,which were held on 28 September, winning 2 of the 7 awards. Cornerstone Church, Leyton won the Cost of Living award and St Andrews, Leytonstone won the award for Promoting Inclusion and Community Cohesion.
Cornerstone Baby Bank
The Cornerstone Baby Bank at Cornerstone Church was set up during the pandemic by local parents who recognised the struggles faced by many low-income families. A Baby Bank is similar to a food bank with the aim that the local community can donate new and lightly used baby goods, which are then passed on to local people who need them.
The Baby Bank also provides other baby essentials such as nappies, wipes and at times larger items such as buggies. As the Baby Bank has grown, it is now able to offer ongoing support for parents, drop-in sessions, breast-feeding support and volunteering opportunities.
You can find out more about the Cornerstone Baby Bank here.
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Award winners: The Rev'd Bill Donoghue from Cornerstone Church (left) and The Very Rev'd Paul Kennington from St Andrew's Upper Leytonstone
Soulfood Community Meal, St Andrew's
Soulfood Community Meal was started by St Andrew's Church and Leytonstone Mutual Aid in 2022, but has evolved and is now run by the community, for the community. Volunteers prepare and serve a free three-course meal for all in the community, in a warm, friendly, safe space.
The meal provides a space for people of all faiths, beliefs and ages to get to know their neighbours and to feel a sense of belonging in the local community
