REACH is The Tabernacle's community action ministry, which has been established to provide practical support and assistance to and in our local community.

REACH was borne out of the desire to have a 'relative response' and 'real action' in our local community, to improve lives of others and in turn strengthen families and the wider community.
At present REACH is focusing on the local area of Lewisham, where The Tabernacle is based, and the surrounding boroughs. However our vision does not stop there! Our long term vision is to see REACH centres established throughout inner city areas to reach those who are vulnerable or socially excluded. We want to reach the homeless, drug users, prostitutes, women fleeing domestic violence, youth and senior citizens. Building bridges and breaking down barriers is very important and with that in mind we understand that building relationships with those we want to reach is vital. Below are some of the ways we have begun this.

Care & Share

Care & Share is our way of showing our community that we really do care for them. Every Christmas, Easter and Harvest we have a Care & Share day that is funded through donations of food, clothing, toys and books by The Tabernacle Church members who join the team in reaching out with kindness.
Depending on the season we collect, package and deliver gifts. So for example you may find us at Easter giving Easter eggs to the vulnerable woman and children, taking Easter cakes to the senior citizens and having a chat. At Christmas we give clothing and hot drinks supplies to the local homeless shelters and activity books to the children in the local hospital.

 

Coffee Mornings

We hold coffee mornings for the vulnerable woman and children. We have a fully trained nursery and child minder team that work with the children whilst their mums enjoy some "me time" to recharge their batteries and have a chat with our team. Each coffee morning we have different themes: e.g. pamper and makeover days. It is our aim at these coffee mornings to minister to the whole person so we believe in building self confidence, offering basic life skills and cover topics that the women suggest e.g. careers advice, assertiveness and cookery.
We want the women to really enjoy the day in a safe environment and also take something away from the morning that can really add to enhancing their life.

 

See below some comments we have received

. "Thank you for your gifts and kindness" - Senior Citizen
. "Really enjoyed the pampering, thank you so much for our day" - Woman & Children
. "Had a great day and really looking forward to the next one" - Woman & Children

 

What is currently under development?

We are currently working alongside an established homeless shelter offering support to homeless people.

It is also our aim to set up a breakfast morning for the homeless to get a hot drink and something to eat and a chat with our team.