Former Moderator, Rt Rev Colin Sinclair, has said of CrossReach, which is the social care branch of the Church of Scotland, “Here is Christian love in action that deserves our backing” [L&W June 2020]
In its 150th anniversary year CrossReach, like many other such organisations faced with implementing Covid19 infection prevention measures, finds itself short of money. Fewer fund raising opportunities, lower charitable giving and increasing costs related to necessary equipment and working practices means CrossReach needs help to continue providing its services.
www.justgiving.com/crossreachchurch/donate
Or volunteer by contacting Volunteer.WithUs@crossreach.org.uk
CrossReach’s staff support some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland. Please pray for the health and wellbeing of those with whom it works and of its staff and its supporters.
Children & Families services have mostly had to close. To help the children who have lost their weekly contact, staff have been developing materials to still help the children while at home. With the extra materials come extra costs, eg Sunflower Garden
Many of CrossReach’s services for adults in vulnerable situations operate as drop-ins and have also closed. Seeking new ways to help support the people cared for, including those with mobility issues, involves additional cost, eg Cunningham House
Residential care and other services for the elderly.Staff with the slightest hint of COVID-19 symptoms immediately self-isolate which places huge pressure on the rest of the staff and can involve employing agency workers to provide essential care. This all comes at an additional cost and places more strain on already stretched budgets, eg Morlich House
Other fields in which CrossReach works:
Counselling & Support, eg CrossReach Counselling: Lothians (Edinburgh)
Criminal Justice, eg Polmont Prison Visitors Centre Family Hub
Learning Disabilities – eg Eskmills
Substance Misuse, eg Simpson House