All communities are different, and so are the needs that they have. Community Lives Matter was born out of the desire and experience of member of CLM church, Ormskirk, to make a difference in the lives of the people we meet in our community.

We are not focused an any particular issue but aim to meet the specific needs of people in our community, irrespective of who they are or the situation they are in Whether putting a smile on the face of the lonely, helping asylum seekers in their new life, supporting the elderly and people with dementia or assisting educationally vulnerable children, we work to make a genuine difference in peoples everyday lives. Our project coordinator writes:

In our work supporting vulnerable children, we find so many who fell behind during the Covid-19 pandemic and now risk never really catching up. Our pilot scheme with a local school offered extra tutoring to the most vulnerable. The tutor said:

Asylum seekers arrive in the UK with little or nothing. They find themselves alone, often with little knowledge of English, and faced with a system that is not easy to navigate. Refugees face similar difficulties. Our weekly drop-in gives them a space to call their own and relax, as well as receive advice and help with administrative tasks such as registering with GPs, access to services, appeals and letters to MPs... Chatting with our volunteers gives them meaningful contact with local people as well as English conversation practice, both vital for successful long-term integration. And they love the bikes we collect and pass on that help them get around.

is advice often given to people starting out on their journey living with dementia. Its so true - meaningful relationships and getting out and about do the world of good. But sometimes, thats easier said than done - particularly in a pandemic! So, we aim to provide positive activities such as indoor bowls or table tennis that will help those living with dementia to enjoy time out of the house with others - and also give their carers or family a break or the chance to catch up with others in a similar position. We also run a monthly dementia café which is a fantastic opportunity to meet others, learn about new resources, play a few games and exchange ideas over refreshments in a relaxed environment.

There were already plenty of lonely people in the UK before the pandemic. So now Loneliness is one of the greatest areas of need amongst older people. The focal point of our service to older people is our weekly luncheon club, where 60+ people enjoy a top notch three-course meal, with take-outs for those that cant make it that day. There are many others who are stuck at home, so visits from some of the team or a call from one of our Befrienders can make all the difference. Not to mention the occasional food deliveries or treats, a little something so they know someone is thinking of them.

Our work is mostly staffed by volunteers who give freely of their time and energy to serve others. Without the incredible contribution of volunteers, we would not be able to do any of what we do. There are so many ways you can help out, why not have a look on our website at current opportunities or get in touch, wed love to see how we can work together to impact our community!

Of course, any work such as ours needs more than the goodwill of its volunteers to function. We do not charge for our programmes and activities. but cover the costs through grants and donations from individuals or corporates. We are extremely grateful for donations, however small, as it all adds up to help keep our services running.

Thank you for reading this far, for your interest in our work, and for your support.