Document

2006-2010 Jesus Army Charitable Trust 1 of 9 Nov. 2010

Heartcry Compassion in action

An initiative of the Jesus Fellowship Church /modern Jesus army

JESUS ARMY CHARITABLE TRUST

EVERY PERSON IS VALUED

A strategy document for Jesus Centres

Jesus Army Charitable Trust, Nether Heyford, Northampton, NN7 3LB

Tel: (01327) 344511 Fax: (01327) 344521 www.jact.org.uk Email: [email protected]

Trust Chairman: John Campbell, MA (Cantab); Trust Secretary: Ian S. Mason, M.A (Oxon);

Trust Treasurer: Michael J. Farrant, M.A (Oxon);

Bankers: Lloyds TSB Bank PLC, George Row, Northampton NN1 1DJ

Registered Charity Number 1091912.

Jesus Army Charitable Trust is a Faithworks Affiliate. Jesus Fellowship Church is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

http://www.jact.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]


JESUS CENTRES - A STRATEGY DOCUMENT

Introduction

This document sets out the current strategy of the Jesus Army Charitable Trust for opening

and running Jesus Centres in fulfilment of their charitable objects. It will be reviewed from

time to time.

Jesus Centre Mission Statement

Expressing the love of Jesus daily in worship, friendship and help for every kind of person.

Jesus Centre Ethos Statement

All activities, policies and practices at Jesus Centres must comply with the Ethos and Values

statement of the Jesus Army Charitable Trust.

Jesus Centre Vision

The vision is for:

1. Showing the heart of Jesus in the heart of the locality through spiritual, social and

practical provision at Jesus Centres serving God, the local Jesus Fellowship

Congregation and the local community.

2. Running as full a programme of activities as possible during the weekdays, evenings

and weekends to make Jesus Centres places of vibrant life and action.

3. Displaying and promoting the Jesus Fellowship strengths of radical Christian faith,

informal down-to-earth friendship and non-judgemental acceptance of every kind of

person.

4. Meeting the needs of those who use Jesus Centres by resourcing them with sufficient

space, facilities, staff, volunteers, skills, understanding and finances.

5. Opening and running Jesus Centres in major UK cities and towns where the Jesus

Fellowship congregation is large enough to support them by adding to the Jesus

Centres already opened in Coventry (2002), Northampton (2004) and London (2008)

with further Centres in Sheffield (2011), Birmingham (2013) and then other places as

we are able.

Jesus Centre Aims and Objectives

Jesus Centre Aims and Objectives to contribute towards meeting JACT Charitable Objects

AIMS:

1) To reduce the personal suffering associated with economic or social deprivation by

meeting material, social and emotional needs on a holistic basis, without prejudice to

any.

2) To build capacity on a non prejudiced holistic basis to help individuals to make

significant progress in their lives including reduction of addictions and rehabilitation of

offenders.

3) To promote the advancement of the Christian religion by facilitating Jesus Fellowship

activities and by provision of appropriate spiritual services.

4) To increase social skills and cohesion through the provision of recreational and

community facilities.

5) To operate as an effective and efficient charity complementing and working

constructively with other agencies and benefiting volunteers and staff by utilising and

developing their skills and experience.


OBJECTIVES:

Objectives to meet Aim 1:

a Provide safe and welcoming day time shelter.

b Provide items of basic necessity including cheap nutritious food and drink, hygiene

resources and clothing.

c Provide basic health care.

d Provide advice, listening services and emotional support.


a Work towards improving social skills, constructive relationships, and personal

development.

b Provide assistance and training in financial management, debt reduction and budgeting.

c Provide training in basic skills such as literacy and numeracy.

d Provide opportunities for the unemployed to access employment opportunities.

e Provide employment related training and employment opportunities.

f Provide support for the rehabilitation of offenders

g Work towards overcoming homelessness and associated suffering and distress.

h Work towards reduction in substance abuse.

j Provide support for the rehabilitation of those suffering substance abuse.

k Provide opportunities for women to gain support with pregnancy and related issues.


a Provide facilities and resources for Jesus Fellowship events.

b Provide opportunities for Christian activities and spiritual development.

c Provide opportunities for spiritual expression within a wide range of activities.

d Ensure ethos and values of the Centres are maintained and communicated effectively.


a Provide a programme of events and opportunities for meaningful and constructive

activities for the general public to promote social inclusion.

b Provide facilities for the local community to use for social events.

c Provide low cost café or similar with additional facilities to promote social integration.

d Provide ICT facilities for use by visitors and members of the general public


a Work with other agencies to signpost individuals to their services.

b Provide outreach opportunities for other agencies to provide their services to Jesus

Centre visitors.

c Provide support, training and varied opportunities for staff and volunteers.

d Deliver all services in as an effective manner assessing outcomes and impacts.

e Deliver all services in as efficient a manner as possible.


Typical Jesus Centre Outcomes

Outcomes arising from Aim 1

a Personal safety and comfort

b Nutrition, self respect, dignity and reduced ill health

c Access to health care, reduced ill health

d Self respect, self understanding, increased motivation


a Improved social skills, increased numbers and quality of constructive relationships,

self-respect, self-understanding, motivation

b Training undertaken, increased understanding, increased skills, reduced debts

c Training undertaken, increased skills, certificates of learning

d Employment related information provided

e Employment related training undertaken, employment gained

f Improved social skills, increased numbers and quality of constructive relationships, self

respect, self understanding, motivation

g Accommodation secured

h Drug, drink or other substance abuse reduced

j Improved social skills, increased numbers and quality of constructive relationships, self

respect, self understanding, motivation

k Pregnancy advice given


a Progress in spirituality through attending Jesus Fellowship events

b Progress in spirituality through participating in other Christian activities

c Progress in the Christian faith through spiritual expression and experience in other

activities

d Christian identity of the Centre and its services expressed and communicated


a Improved social skills, increased social inclusion, increased numbers and quality of

constructive relationships, self respect, self understanding, motivation

b Community cohesion through local groups and networks holding events

c Healthy/wholesome nutrition combined with sense of community and interaction

d ICT use to help communications, training opportunities, etc


a Positive networking with other agencies for mutual support and greater effectiveness

b Greater impact on individual visitors through an appropriate range of services

c Personal development for staff and volunteers

d Effective service development in the light of evaluation of outputs and outcomes

e Cost effective service


Jesus Centre Activities

Jesus Centres will run as comprehensive a programme as feasible of spiritual, social and

practical activities during weekdays and as much of the evenings and weekends as possible.

It is envisaged that each Jesus Centre will provide most of the following services in the light

of the above objectives:

1) Meeting Need

Drop in facility to include: shelter and warmth; cheap food and drink; shower and

wash facilities; clothing and laundry facilities; haircutting; provision of basic

necessities; phone and message/mail access; ICT access, storage of belongings

Basic medical care

Information desk and referrals

Friendship, mentoring and listening services

2) Building Capacity

Basic skills training such as literacy, numeracy, ESOL, parenting, confidence

building, money management

Support to reduce debt

Access to employment opportunities and advice

Access to advice and support for overcoming addictions

Advice and support in obtaining suitable accommodation

Specialist groups for training and social interaction to build individual capacity

3) Promoting Christian Faith

Meeting place for Jesus Fellowship activities

Opportunities for Christian worship and activities such as midweek service, healing

prayer, bible studies and Christian literature/resources.

4) Developing Social Skills and Cohesion

Recreation facilities and activities

Café/tea room facility

ICT facilities for the public

5) Developing Volunteers and Working with other Agencies

Outreach services

Referrals

Volunteer support and training

Jesus Centre activities are planned and delivered with a view to being effective, efficient and

economical and local Centres will seek to be self-financing.

Activities are generally low cost or free of charge and timed and tailored to reflect the needs

and circumstances of visitors, including provision for people with disabilities as needed so

that as many people as possible can take part in them. Activities and services are provided on

an Equal Opportunities basis, without regard to religious belief or lack of it.

Most activities are resourced and staffed by Jesus Fellowship members. Using and

developing their abilities is an important part of the Jesus Centre vision.

Some activities are provided by others, using the facilities available at the Centres.


Evaluation measures will be set up:

1. To track the number, breadth and effectiveness of the range of activities developed to

meet the aims and objectives.

2. To record statistics on outputs and outcomes for each activity. Outputs will include such

measures as the number of people accessing the service, the number of specific items

given such as showers, laundry, etc. Outcomes will range through measures of progress

such as skills certificates and positive feedback to specific hard outcomes such as

obtaining accommodation, employment or freedom from substance dependencies.

3. To track impacts by gaining an understanding of the value to individuals of activities in

which they take part in terms of improvement to their quality of life through client

feedback using surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.

4. To seek information as far as possible on impacts on the wider community from the

effectiveness of services delivered to individuals from, for example, networking with

other agencies or local government statistics.

Jesus Centre Strengths

In our fragmented society, there is widespread need for spiritual help, social support and

practical care, provided on a holistic, easily accessible, non-discriminatory basis.

Experience of Jesus Fellowship members in providing pastoral support makes them well

placed to get alongside visitors to the Jesus Centres to make services and activities effective

in helping people make a difference in their lives. Activities reflect the Jesus Fellowship’s

inclusive, friendly, down-to-earth style, and build on its proven ability to get alongside people

from many walks of life.

Existing agencies tend to be specialised, and referral processes are only partially effective for

those with multiple needs. Success in reaching target groups is variable. Jesus Centres

therefore provide a one-stop-shop that can address the basic needs and develop the

capabilities of the whole person and also act as a “gateway” to more specialist services.

Jesus Centres work constructively with statutory authorities and other service providers

whilst remaining true to their particular calling and strengths.

The services Jesus Centres offer are based on the needs the Jesus Fellowship has identified

and, in part, met over many years, but the specific needs in each Centre’s locality will be

researched and their offering adapted in response to feedback and ongoing developments.

Jesus Centre Visitors

Jesus Centres aim to promote themselves as places that are there to serve every section of the

local community.

The existing Jesus Centres in Coventry, London and Northampton are proving themselves

worthwhile additions to the local service provision and helping many hundreds of visitors

annually.

In other locations, the Jesus Fellowship already has many “satisfied customers” amongst its

members, relatives, friends and those who have been helped by its meetings, community

houses and street outreach. They, and others, will be better served by the Jesus Centres’


wider, more structured range of activities; more user-friendly location, hours and facilities;

and larger pool of trained staff and volunteers

The services of Jesus Centres are promoted at Jesus Fellowship events and by a range of

literature and websites. New visitors generally come through “word of mouth”

recommendations and referrals from other agencies.

Jesus Centres also advertise the availability of their services through other agencies and local

media. Each Centre draws together a Council of Reference from respected figures in its

locality to supplement the national Council of Reference.

Jesus Centre Teams

The overall direction of Jesus Centres is in the hands of the Trustees of the Jesus Army

Charitable Trust, who are all respected members of the Jesus Fellowship with relevant

experience. An advisory Steering Group of Trustees together with a Working Party of local

Jesus Fellowship members is formed to set up each new Jesus Centre.

Each operating Jesus Centre has a Management Committee drawn mainly from local Jesus

Fellowship members, which is responsible for all aspects of the Centre. The Management

Committee includes at least one Trustee and reports to the Trustees.

The Centre Manager and appropriate paid staff run the Centre and co-ordinate its daily

activities, most of which are provided and supported by volunteers on a sessional basis.

Staff and volunteers at the Centre are trained so that their skills and qualifications match the

requirements of activities. .

The spirit and standards of the Centres reflect the Jesus Fellowship’s unashamed Christian

faith and care for the whole person.

Jesus Centre Premises

Jesus Centres are centrally located for easy visitor access and large enough to meet the needs

of all potential users. They will be purchased outright or on long leases.

Jesus Centre premises provide function/training rooms, drop-in facilities and ancillary space.

Some form of public catering and a meeting hall/ auditorium is included where possible. The

local Jesus Fellowship congregation hires part of the premises for worship and other

activities. Parts of the premises may also be available to outside hirers so long as this does

not impair the functioning of the Centre nor conflict with the JACT ethos. Adjacent or linked

premises providing accommodation to members of the New Creation Christian Community

may be provided when this is possible.

The fabric and decor of the buildings is brought up to an appropriate standard for the

proposed services during the adaptations and refurbishment, and kept there by means of

planned maintenance.

As far as possible, the premises include full access to those with disabilities including the

visually and hearing impaired.

Jesus Centre Equipment

Appropriate equipment is provided to enable the services to be delivered effectively, such as

washing machines, dryers, showers, desks, chairs, dining tables and chairs, easy chairs, PCs

and peripherals, educational games and toys.


There is a fully equipped kitchen as appropriate.

Meeting halls/auditoria are equipped with seating and appropriate PA systems, but musical

instruments, portable PA and special effects lighting are provided by hirers.

Each Centre has a telephone system, security cameras and alarms, fire alarms and

extinguishers, office equipment, janitorial items and storage.

The Centres’ transport needs are met by cars and minibuses brought by staff and volunteers,

and specialist transport hired or purchased as necessary, which can be parked on-site or

nearby.

Jesus Centre Policies

The Trustees enlist the help of actual and potential visitors, volunteers and other agencies to

research needs and to develop services to meet those needs in the best way possible within

the resources available.

The Trustees have put in place policies and procedures to make sure the Centres comply with

the ethos of Jesus Army Charitable Trust and with all legal and regulatory requirements, and

respect the human rights of all involved with them. Policies are reviewed regularly.

The Trustees have taken steps to protect and develop the value of Jesus Centre resources -

premises, equipment, systems, funds and above all staff and volunteers.

The Trustees have established financial systems and internal controls and will monitor

compliance. All transactions are recorded, reconciled, reported and audited. Annual reports

are filed with the Charity Commission.

Jesus Centre Finances

The cost of purchasing, repairing, adapting and equipping each Jesus Centre is expected to be

around £2m, although this will vary considerably depending upon location and size of the

Centre.

The annual cost of operating Jesus Centres will similarly vary considerably depending upon

the scale and nature of the services and activities provided. It is expected to average

£150,000 per Centre including property depreciation and interest costs.

Funds for purchasing, repairing and adapting Jesus Centre premises are obtained from a range

of sources including Jesus Fellowship members, the general public and charitable trusts. An

important element is prayer and faith in God.

Each Centre has its own budgets and bank accounts, and is responsible for its own fund-

raising efforts. Each local Centre is expected to cover its own expenses. The prior approval

of the Trustees is, however, required for significant commitments.

A local fundraising team, utilising professional help where necessary, will raise funds for

equipping and running each Centre. They will seek funds from Jesus Fellowship members

and friends, other members of the public, grant-making trusts, businesses, and statutory

funders.

Revenue from hiring parts of the premises and any public catering facilities covers their

specific costs through appropriate charges to their users and may provide some additional

revenue to subsidise other activities of the Centre.


Other revenue generating activities are being developed as far as possible to contribute

towards the running costs of each Centre.

The national Heartcry Appeal is an umbrella which includes these local appeals to cover the

expenses of individual Centres, as well as a central appeal, largely for capital expenses for

new Jesus Centres. As the Trust expands with new Centres, the capital fundraising

requirement is significant and is shown by the excess of fundraising income over expenses

and the corresponding increase in its charitable assets shown in the balance sheet. Some of

the Trust’s funds may be earmarked for the proposed development of a particular Jesus

Centre in the near future, with the aim that the Trust should have a real level of free reserves

sufficient to cover around six to nine months' expenditure in line with its Reserves Policy.

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