Published: 24 April 2023
A £97,000 grant from Benefact Trust has been awarded to intergenerational storytelling charity, Truth Be Told, to grow their work with churches and give people of all ages a sense of belonging.
Marking Global Intergenerational Week, the funding partnership signifies the importance of uniting the generations to tackle loneliness and the hope that can be found through the church family.
Truth Be Told equips churches with the resources and training needed to tell tales and sing songs with families and older adults in care homes and communities. Truth Be Told exists to show everyone that they’re invited to belong.
This model is happening across the country and the charity are witnessing the significant impact of the project with every session.
One care home provider hosting the project, said:“Being involved in the sessions has meant residents, including those with dementia have a sense of self-empowerment, of validation and recognition of their age and status.”
It is common for older people participating in sessions to become more physically confident and to ‘light up’ in a profound way when around their ‘little friends’. Parents often report that their children, having been impacted by the pandemic, are growing more confident too and communicating more sociably.
Gemma Gillard, Founder and CEO of Truth Be Told, explains:“The Benefact Trust grant marks a significant moment in the life of the charity. The multi-year funding will enable us to turn dreams into plans. We can now proactively attract and increase the number of Partner Churches delivering the project whilst exploring innovative ways to follow Jesus’s example of telling stories to transform lives. We are so grateful to Benefact Trust for believing in the project and committing to the charity. We are very excited to be on this journey together.”
Paul Playford, Grants Officer for Benefact Trust, said:“Truth Be Told highlights the importance of intergenerational relationships, and how they can improve wellbeing for all ages. We’re delighted to help them develop their work and grow their church partnerships over the next three years, so that more people can benefit from new friendships, hope and belonging.”
Truth Be Told are aiming to grow their number of Partner Churches from seven to 30 over the three-year funding period. To make this possible, they are actively seeking churches of all sizes and denominations who are interested in uniting the generations through the stories of Jesus.
To find out more, visit: https://truthbetold.org.uk/churches/
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