Theme One: Service-mapping and partnership: we all agreed it was important that we know what other churches and services are doing so that we do not replicate and so that we can direct people toward them.

Therefore, we been in touch with our local councillors, other churches, and Islington charities—including Help on Your Doorstep—to make sure we know what they are doing and how we can refer people onto them.

We have also registered as a ‘warm space’ with both Islington Council and with Warm Welcome, a national directory of civil society ‘warm spaces’, coordinated by the ChurchWorks Commission, specialists in helping churches and government work together.

Theme Two: Signposting and communications: we agreed that it was important to communicate information clearly through summary sheets and posters.

Therefore, we will put out fliers that direct people to support offered by the council and Help on Your Doorstep.

Theme Three: Building on what we already do: we discussed what we could add to Open House to make it even more helpful to those who may need support.

Our thanks go to the Open House Team, who are planning to extend Open House and offer a soup lunch from the start of November. They would welcome volunteers to join the team. We are really excited to see how this wonderful community grows.

Theme Four: Identifying what practical support we could offer: sensitive to our limited storage space, some people suggested working with the council and other providers to identify whether there are ways that St Mary's could provide food, clothing, or pre-payment meter top-ups.

We will be on the lookout for organisations’ requests for donations that we can share. You can find a request from the Manna Project below.

Theme Five: Challenging the rich and powerful: someone challenged us to ask how we could organise for justice.

We have not identified a way of doing this yet. Do speak to me if you are interested in exploring this further.

As the discussion ended, the importance of prayer was emphasized, and we ended with a time of prayer. It is vital that, as in all things, our response to this crisis begins and ends in prayer. Whatever way you are involved please do pray for all affected by the cost of living crisis.

Request from the Manna Project:

· Good men’s clothes.

· Towels, even if slightly ragged.

· Bed-linen if it’s in good nick – but definitely no pillows or duvets

· Most food items, though this is less of a need. Don’t add to our pasta mountain!

· Toiletries – we can’t take things that have been opened. Hotel freebies are popular.

· Phone chargers

· Old, wiped laptops Windows 10 and beyond

· Old unlocked phones, smart or dumb

· Take-away containers – well washed

· Clothes hangers

· Men’s belts – very much in demand

· Carrier bags

· Money