Arena Community is a registered charity (number 1115569) established in 2006 by Arena Church. It is a local response to issues of poverty, isolation, homelessness and unemployment in and around Ilkeston, Derbyshire and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Our foodbank has been operating for over 10 years.

Last year we helped over 5,000 people through several different initiatives that we run in order to meet our four objectives:

• Provision of food and practical resources.

• Provision of quality housing via supported accommodation.

• Training, education and rehabilitation.

• Making communities liveable.

During these times of change when a coronavirus pandemic is threatening our very way of life, there’s an even greater need for help and support, already had record numbers come to us both those who are in poverty and those who have been furloughed and now find themselves in very difficult times. It makes it even more difficult when you see children and the elderly needing our assistance. Even when the lockdown is over, we will need to make communities liveable again, as families in our area will be affected in the long term.

Arena Community is mostly funded by the charity shops, which of course are currently closed, through Arena Church (which is also currently not able to open) and through the generous donations of the public. Every penny allows us to help someone. We’re announcing the launch of our Let’s Do This campaign, to help us combat the problems that we can see are happening now and will be happening in the future.

There’s a need for help and support right now, and even when the lockdown is over, families in our area will be affected in the long term.

Historically we have been looking at a £60,000 shortfall to cover all the running costs and we believe this year the need will be even greater. Arena Community is funded by your donations, and every penny allows us to help someone. For the Let’s Do This campaign, we’re asking for:

• 1000 people to commit to giving to just a £3 every month
• 20 businesses to commit to giving £100 every month

This  will allow us to significantly help our community.

Join our Let’s Do This campaign and give what you can  – we need your support now more than ever.

There are several ways to help – you can give financially any of the following ways: