Written by Jake Coles

I spend a lot of my working life talking about mental health, supporting people through difficult moments and encouraging others to start conversations that can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable.

And I’ve been reminded that sometimes, the simplest conversations can be the most important ones.

Trauma is something that nobody chooses. It arrives uninvited, often turning lives upside down in ways that could never have been anticipated. Whether it comes through illness, loss, abuse, discrimination, sudden change, or one of life’s many unexpected challenges, trauma can leave people feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future.

Yet one of the greatest misconceptions about trauma is that it makes people weak.

The reality is often quite the opposite.

We are absolutely delighted to share that Mercers have committed to supporting Acts Trust for another three years, with a grant of £30,000 per year to support the work of Acts Trust.

This is incredible news for Acts.

June marked an incredible milestone for Acts Trust as we celebrated 20 years of supporting people across Lincoln through times of crisis and helping them build brighter futures.

To celebrate two decades of impact, we held a special Volunteer Celebration and AGM. It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the dedication, compassion and countless hours given by our amazing volunteers, without whom so much of our work simply wouldn’t be possible.

Acts Trust is made up of over 300 volunteers, each with their own story. Here is Christy’s.

When Christy first came to Acts Trust, she was not thinking about volunteering. She came as someone in need of support, looking for a place where she could feel welcomed and understood. What she found was a community that cared and people who walked alongside her.

Me too. Today I find myself lying in bed praying for snow so that when I wake, the world will have ground to a halt and nature’s blanket will have hushed the noise.

In a world that often moves quickly and values productivity above all else, the simple act of building relationship can feel almost countercultural. Yet within community‑focused charities like Acts Trust, relationship isn’t an optional extra, it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. It shapes how we serve, how we grow, and how we walk alongside the people who step through our doors.

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.