In the wake of budget cuts, changes to benefits and rising housing costs, a new survey reveals that Christians in York are making a major difference to the people of the city.

A faith action audit undertaken by national charity the Cinnamon Network, to be launched on Friday 12th June, showed that 33 faith groups run 249 projects helping 49,436 people. The projects are staffed by 1,887 volunteers and represent almost £3 million of financial value. The initiatives range from work with families, providing debt advice, coaching people back into work, offering emergency food parcels, and providing a safe place to belong and build friendships.

The audit invited all types of faith groups who meet a wide range of social needs, including homelessness, social isolation, addiction and food poverty, to take part in the York Cinnamon Faith Action Audit in early February this year. The report highlighted that faith groups, in terms of both paid staff and volunteers, were actively working with people of all ages and with men and women in almost equal measure.

Online surveys were undertaken in 57 locations in England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland; including York. Urban and rural areas were covered including places with high levels of deprivation and more affluent areas alike. Nationally, 4,440 groups were invited to take part in the Cinnamon Faith Action Audit and 2,110 completed the survey, a response rate of 47.5%.

Graham Hutchinson, co-chair of multi-church group One Voice York said, “At a time when budget cuts, changes to benefits and rising housing costs are affecting many communities across the country, this audit shows there are groups of committed and faith-driven individuals who are stepping into the gap. We want all social and community agencies to be better informed about resources which they can tap into, so we can increase fruitful co-operation and collaboration between faith groups and other agencies.”

The Cinnamon Faith Action Audit has found that across the UK Christians give over £3 billion worth of time and resources annually to support those most in need through social action projects.

Cinnamon Network’s purpose is to serve the nation by making it as easy as possible for local churches to help those most at need in our communities. Matt Bird, Founder of Cinnamon Network said, "As a Christian, my dream is that this renewed confidence will help local churches have new conversations and form new partnerships with Local Authorities, the Police and other agencies, to help those people most at need in our communities."

The faith action audit can be downloaded below. For more information on Cinnamon Network visit www.cinnamonnetwork.co.uk.