Author: amy

The Night Light cafes in Lincoln are open 365 evenings a year that couldn’t happen without our
amazing volunteers.

Over the Christmas season the Night Light Cafes will remain open, being a warm welcoming
space for anyone who may have been in need of some company. I was reflecting on this and
how amazing it is that across the city of Lincoln we are able to offer people who may be finding
life difficult, a cup of tea and a listening ear.

The Community Grocery in Lincoln has felt like a part of me from my very first days in the UK. I arrived as an international student with only a lump-sum student loan, so I had to manage my budget very carefully to make it through to graduation. After completing my course, I found myself in a limbo season: finished but unemployed. That was when the Community Grocery adopted me as a volunteer. I gained semi-professional experience, received so much mental support, and eventually found employment. Even now, I still visit often to shop, chat, or ask for a bit of help.

On Monday 17th November, Acts Trust was honoured to be invited to the CSJ Awards at One Great George Street in Westminster as a finalist — a thrilling moment for Acts to have a high-profile showcase and to meet some fantastic supporters and donors.

Christmas is widely recognised as a season of joy, celebration, and togetherness. The air is often filled with excitement and anticipation as people shop and make preparations to mark the festivities. However, for many individuals, Christmas can be a difficult period. Experiences of grief, loneliness, or past trauma may resurface, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and hurt. In such times, choosing to volunteer and support those who are struggling during the festive period brings unique and meaningful benefits, both for the volunteers and those receiving support.

It’s that time of year again. That time where we think of others and how we can best give, support, and love one another. When we think of those less fortunate than ourselves.

We’re calling on all our amazing supporters, friends, and local residents to join us for this year’s Tesco Food Collection, taking place on Thursday 27th, Friday 28th, and Saturday 29th November at Tesco Wragby Road and Tesco Canwick Road stores in Lincoln.

Have you seen? Have you heard?  What good things have you experienced this week that you would like to share?

It’s too early to tell for sure yet, but the records so far this autumn suggest it’s an exceptionally good year for acorn crops. According to Nature’s Calendar, the largest average crop in the last 20 years was 2013.  We’ll have to wait until the end of the season to see how 2025 matches up.  Did you know that Acts Trust is nearly 20 years old?  It is growing up.

At Night Light Cafés, every evening is more than just an open door – it’s an invitation. An invitation for people to step out of isolation, away from the heaviness of loneliness or poor mental health, and into a place where they are seen, welcomed, and valued. Each story that unfolds within our cafés is different, but they all carry the same thread of bravery. Walking through the door is often the hardest step, yet it’s also the very beginning of hope taking root.

The end of summer often feels like a turning point in the year. After weeks of long daylight hours and school holidays the start of September often feels different and often comes with a change of pace. For some, autumn brings a welcome return to routine and cosy evenings. For others, it can feel overwhelming and very difficult.

At Lincoln Foodbank, we’ve always believed in the power of community. But in recent weeks, we witnessed something truly extraordinary.

For the first time in our recent history, our shelves were dangerously bare. Stock levels dropped to a critical low, with essential items like tinned meat, long-life milk, pasta sauce, and cereal running out faster than we could replenish them. With more people than ever turning to us for support amid the cost-of-living crisis, we were facing an urgent challenge: how do we continue to serve those in need when our resources are running out?

On June 25th we had the joy of bringing together around 100 of our wonderful volunteers from our Acts Trust projects for a special afternoon of connection, celebration, and gratitude. Our Volunteer Celebration and AGM is one of the highlights of our year, and this time was no exception.