{"id":7139,"date":"2024-11-21T12:35:27","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T11:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/?page_id=7139"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T11:22:15","slug":"the-need","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/the-need\/","title":{"rendered":"The Link Need"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\"><strong>Standing in the Gap for Our Community<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"283\" src=\"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/The-Need.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7143\" style=\"width:709px;height:auto\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/The-Need.jpg 602w, http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/The-Need-300x141.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Christchurch may be seen as an affluent area, but beneath the surface there are real and growing needs affecting people of all ages.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, two areas in Christchurch are ranked within the <strong>top 20% most deprived nationally<\/strong>, with one also falling into the <strong>top 20% for deprived families with children aged 0\u201315<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Christians, we believe we are called to <strong>\u201cstand in the gap\u201d<\/strong>\u2014to offer hope, care and practical support to those in our community who are struggling mentally, physically, spiritually, socially or financially. Our vision is to provide a <strong>safe, welcoming environment<\/strong> where people can find help, dignity, and renewed hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why Your Support Matters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-046421d704dab0cc7bbaa90a1ca49667\" style=\"background-color:#3c6184\"><strong>Families Under Pressure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:25% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"392\" height=\"193\" src=\"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Christchurch-Foodbank.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6432 size-full\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Christchurch-Foodbank.png 392w, http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Christchurch-Foodbank-300x148.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 392px) 100vw, 392px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Demand for support from <strong>Christchurch Foodbank+<\/strong> has risen sharply. Families are struggling to cope with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increasing energy bills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rising costs of living<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Changes to the benefits system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher interest rates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For many households, incomes are simply not keeping pace, leaving families vulnerable and anxious about the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-c6cb42456d6441bd425520f2d1e9b2b7\" style=\"background-color:#3c6184\"><strong>Supporting the Next Generation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporting children and young people is one of our key priorities. Today\u2019s young people face increasing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Social and media pressures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Family and peer challenges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risks from county lines exploitation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These pressures are contributing to rising mental health problems, family breakdown and social disruption. Early, compassionate intervention can make a life\u2011changing difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-167374c22c22513c5089ddb2dc8fc784\" style=\"background-color:#3c6184\"><strong>Caring for Older People<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Christchurch has an <strong>ageing population<\/strong>, with <strong>34.8% aged 60+<\/strong> and <strong>22% over the age of 70<\/strong>.<br>Alarmingly, Alzheimer\u2019s Research UK (2024) reports that <strong>Christchurch has the highest prevalence of dementia per head of population in the country<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social isolation, the impact of lockdowns and ongoing health challenges have hit older people particularly hard. As this demographic continues to grow, so does the need for connection, care and practical support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-30c73cb86ca01d9da780a95788416c5a\" style=\"background-color:#3c6184\"><strong>Mental Health: A Growing Concern<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across Dorset, <strong>12.8% of adults<\/strong> are estimated to experience depression or anxiety, and mental health indicators in the BCP area are worse than the national average.<br>This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Higher emergency hospital admissions for self\u2011harm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher suicide rates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In reality, <strong>1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year<\/strong>. Compassionate, local support is more vital than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-e5d196a2ce244699419f344472ff2ec1\" style=\"background-color:#3c6184\"><strong>How You Can Help<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your generosity enables us to <strong>stand in the gap<\/strong> for those who are struggling right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc99 <strong>Your donation will help us to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Support families facing financial crisis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide early help for children and young people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduce loneliness and isolation among older people<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer safe spaces for mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Every gift, large or small, makes a tangible difference in the lives of people in our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-83d9d74aaad732cd87235322a55e6094\" style=\"background-color:#3c6184\"><strong>Join Us in Making a Difference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The question we ask ourselves is simple:<\/strong><br><em>How can we stand in the gap? How can we meet the needs of those around us?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With your support, we can be there for those who need it most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udc49 <strong>Please donate today and help us bring hope, compassion and practical care to our community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twynhamchurch.churchsuite.com\/donate\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"448\" height=\"96\" src=\"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/donate-button-hand-pound-purple.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6809\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/donate-button-hand-pound-purple.png 448w, http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/donate-button-hand-pound-purple-300x64.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 448px) 100vw, 448px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/the-link-plan\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"7153\">The Plan<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/the-link-funding\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"7160\">The Funding<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Standing in the Gap for Our Community Christchurch may be seen as an affluent area, but beneath the surface there are real and growing needs affecting people of all ages. In fact, two areas in Christchurch are ranked within the &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7140,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7139","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","ctfw-has-image"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7139"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7139\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7289,"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7139\/revisions\/7289"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7140"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.twynhamchurch.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}