In June 2010, Arena Church in partnership with Arena Community launched its own foodbank as a result of an increasing awareness of the number of people in Ilkeston with no food and in need of emergency supplies. The people of Arena Church brought groceries to the church as often as they could, and a team were on hand to sort, pack and distribute the collected food. Since then, we have grown into a charity that supports multiple needs across a wide area.
LET’S DO THIS!
During these times of change when a coronavirus pandemic is threatening our very way of life, there’s an even greater need for help and support, and we’ve already had record numbers come to us. Even when the lockdown is over, we will need to make communities liveable again, as families in our area will be affected in the long term. We’re announcing the launch of our Let’s Do This campaign, to help us combat the problems that we can see are happening now and will be happening in the future.
WHAT WE DO
FOODBANK
Arena Community foodbank is based at the Community Hub on Belfield Street, Ilkeston. The foodbank was started in response to the needs within Cotmanhay and Ilkeston. It was clear that individuals and families were struggling to afford the most basic necessities.
THE PROJECT
Arena Community took on the lease for the old Woolworth’s building on Bath Street, Ilkeston in late 2014. After receiving funding, the ground floor was refurbished and The Project opened for business in January 2017.
CARE FOR A COFFEE
Care for a Coffee is a programme where everyone is welcome. We serve hot and cold drinks and light refreshments.LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES
COME AND VISIT OUR NEWLY REFURBISHED STORES!
ARENA HOPE AND THE PROJECT ARE NOW OPEN.
WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!
Arena Community is more than just a church. As its name states, it is a community serving the community. Reaching out to those who are vulnerable and in need of support, Arena really does help people back on their feet and feel part of a loving and caring community
It is always uplifting to be part of the community services, whether at Christmas or summertime and see the support offered and received by so many. The way volunteers from Arena reach out into the community is so well demonstrated by the uplifting performances by the local junior schools, every child showing confidence and enjoying their singing and dancing.
Thank you to Pastor Kristian and his team.
Maggie Throup MP
Member of Parliament for Erewash
The Arena Church provides a much needed community service supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the local community and in recognition of this the Council has helped to fund a number of projects through its Community Grants programmes.
An excellent example of their work was the introduction of its own foodbank in Ilkeston which provides food and emergency supplies to those most in need. They also took on the lease for the old Woolworths building on Bath Street, Ilkeston in late 2014 to provide a community meeting place at The Project’s café whilst facilitating training and employment opportunities for local people.
The Arena Church’s strength is its passion to give back to the community which is equally matched by the dedication and commitment of its own staff.
Lorraine Poyser, Director of Community Services
Erewash Borough Council
We support many families who are vulnerable, especially during the Covid-19 crisis, and I’d like to thank Arena for all their help, particularly during this time. Arena have proved invaluable in helping clients with generous and thoughtful food parcels and have always given willingly.
Arena are always more than happy to help, friendly and willing and have supported many families to feed their children. We’ve had lots of lovely comments from those families who’ve been thrilled with the food parcels, especially the little extras for the children, such as sweet treats which have really uplifted them.
This has been a such valuable support service for local families during these difficult times. Thank you!
Di Shaw, Team Co-ordinator, Children’s Social Services, Derbyshire County Council’s Erewash Area Office