Focus on: Redeeming Our Communities (ROC)
Redeeming Our Communities (ROC) launched in Northern Ireland in May this year and is now at the stage of setting up four community projects here. The first started on Friday 13 July in Ballymena.
If you would like more information about how a ROC partnership or ROC project works follow the links below or please join us for the ROC Projects Workshop on October 10 at the Ramada Hotel, Shaw’s Bridge from 10.00am – 4.00pm.
Become a ROC Partner Church
ROC Partner Churches support the work of Redeeming Our Communities in their local area. ROC’s unique approach to community projects is ‘for such a time as this’. The ROC Brand is recognised and respected which gives confidence to statutory agencies when seeking to work alongside churches in the community.
“ROC have a vital resource to offer our churches: expertise in forming multi–agency partnerships that can deliver real change and safer communities. With Christians working alongside the police and other community groups to address some of our urban problems, ROC projects can be truly transformational!”
Rt Revd Paul Williams, Bishop of Kensington
What ROC has to offer Partner Churches
Connections: ROC introduces and links local churches with agencies including Fire & Rescue services, Police, Local Authorities and others, helping to bridge the comunication gap and enable a working partnership. We have over ten years of experience and connections with statutory authorities all over the UK.
Buildings: ROC has often been able to find buildings for churches to develop local ROC projects, usually for peppercorn rates. The ROC Café in Bury is held in a Fire Station community room, which is free of charge. The ROC Centre in Radcliffe is in a council–owned community centre, which has been donated rent–free. These openings have come about because of the high regard statutory authorities and public services have for ROC.
Funding: The ROC brand has a proven track record in reducing crime and improving community life which has proven very effective and successful when applying for grants and in other fundraising activities.
Brand recognition: The ROC brand has a strong reputation and is well respected by those who do not currently have links with any church. With over 50 projects to date, our vision is to see ROC projects all over the UK so that we can have a much bigger impact on community well–being.
Resources: ROC provides a range of useful promotional materials and designs including; logos, graphics, literature, website, DVDs and more.
Expertise: ROC offers guidance and expertise on a whole spectrum of issues, advice on setting up projects, and training for Ambassadors as well as project workshops.
National Network: ROC offers a platform for local projects to be part of a larger, national picture, for example each ROC Café can be part of a national network of Cafés which share ideas and best practise. Our national web site can also appeal for volunteers or promote local ideas.
Financial commitment of ROC Partner Churches
ROC Partner Churches are asked to contribute a minimum of £25 per month to ROC national. This enables us to support you in developing your community project as mentioned above. ROC Partner Churches have received far more benefits than they expected for such a small financial contribution. Many churches contribute from their missions budget.
Our vision is to partner with 400 churches who contribute between £25 – £100 per month, depending on the size of the church and the extent of the partnership with ROC.
Please contact us for more information – we would love to hear from you!