St Marys Social Innovation

Annual Report in Practice

2016 -17

St Marys has been finding ways to
transform communities for over
half a century
Contents
1 - Welcome
2 - Our Approach
3 - Introducing TimeBuilders
4 - Time-credits: Earning
6 - Loneliness: Why It Matters
7 - Time-credits: Spending
8 - Our Impact
9 - Our Outcomes
10 - Working Across Sheffield
11 - Partners
12 - The Art House
14 - St Marys Finances 2016-17
16 - Social Innovation Since 1830
St Marys Church & Community
Centre
Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4QZ
0114 223 0240
www.stmarys-church.co.uk
www.timebuilders.org.uk

Welcome
St Marys has been involved in
social innovation for over half a
century: working at the grass roots
with local people to find new ways
of strengthening the community.
We are grounded in the Christian
faith that the world can be different
if we apply love, trust and hope.
We are prepared to take risks
and try not to be afraid of failure.
We recognise that no-one has a
monopoly on these values and are
glad to work alongside, and learn
from, all people regardless of faith.
Our work has a strong theoretical
foundation and is evidence based,
giving us the skills and ability to
generate new solutions to some
of the pressing social problems
of the day. We are rooted in local
communities.
St Marys Annual Report 2016 -17
Social Innovation in Practice
This is our first annual report
for a number of years. Most of
it is dedicated to explaining the
TimeBuilders project; our newest
social innovation which has been
running for nearly 3 years and is
transforming lives across the city.
Were excited about this project
and want to share it with as many
people as possible because we
really believe that it has much wider
potential.
On page 12 we also feature The
Art House; a brand new project
in Sheffields city centre which we
have developed in partnership with
St Matthews Carver Street.
The Art House takes a radical
and asset based approach to the
challenges of mental health.
Innovation only really makes a
difference if it is shared. So wed
love to know what you think of our
work and wed love to talk with you
about how we might be able to
work together.
After battling an alcohol addiction
my confidence was taken away
from me. TimeBuilders has given
this confidence back.
Even if you think you have nothing
to offer, offering your time can be
enough for other people
TimeBuilders throws you a lifeline
when you want to pick yourself up
from a low place
How to read this report
5 minute read - the white pages
20 minute read - the yellow pages
1

Our principles and methods are rooted in an asset-based understanding of people and communities
Some of the most intractable
social problems have very simple
solutions, mostly to do with
connecting people with each other.
Many chronic health difficulties do
not respond to medication, and are
caused by how people feel about
their lives. It is estimated that 30%
of GP appointments are for non-
medical reasons: fundamentally
because people are lonely and have
nothing meaningful to do.
Asset based approach
The traditional way of solving
problems within society is to isolate
the problem and look for single
solutions. This means that we ask
people a particular sort of question:
What is wrong here, what is wrong
with you?
The asset based approach is
different, recognising that it is not
helpful to reduce people to bundles
of problems, but rather to help
them become the solution to the
problem. The question becomes
What is right here, what are you
doing that is strong and competent
and connecting. This shift in
2 community networks to be re-built.
Our Approach to Social Innovation
attention has remarkable effects
discovering assets and releasing
energy, creativity and commitment
from people who are typically
used to being treated as passive
recipients of services.
Networks and Exchanges
Our communities are made of
a multitude of networks; linking
friends and families, groups
and societies, organisations and
institutions. These networks are
only as strong as the exchanges
that pass through them.
When people cannot make
economic exchanges, our
communities are often thought of
as poor and under-valued by the
mainstream economy. However,
we know that people have plenty
of other things to exchange; skills,
talents, knowledge, time, friendship
and community spirit. But when
networks within a community are
weakened, people find it harder to
share these positive things.
By bringing people together,
explicitly to share their assets and
make good use of them, we enable
Social networks Our established methodology can
be summarised as follows:
To navigate through lifes
challenges, each of us needs social 1. Research to find ideas or
networks to provide support and to resources which have the potential
to create value.
remind us that we matter.
Happy, resilient people are able 2. Find out what really matters to
to draw upon a large number of the people who are closest to the
acquaintances to share advice, tips, problem. See people as assets
informally signpost and to have fun. rather than liabilities.
The greater an individuals network
3. Find ways of translating those
of acquaintances, the greater their
ideas and assets into practical
resilience in difficult times.
action that meets a social need.
TimeBuilders has a broad
4. Develop relationships with
theoretical foundation. We draw
partners, friends and investors to
your attention to the following
make a case for support and create
studies that inform our work:
financial sustainability.
The Connecting People study
5. Learn by doing.
(Professor Martin Webber,
6. Undertake evaluation to test the
University of York) examines
innovation and refine or revise the
the role of social networks in
original assumptions.
the recovery of people with
mental health difficulties (www. Our ethos is informed by an asset-
connectingpeople.net). based approach to community
The Participatory City report is a development and a deep
radical prototype of how to create understanding of social networks
many practical projects which and their impact on an individual.
connect people in one ward in
London. Carried out by Tessy
Britton and the Civic Systems Lab
(www.participatorycity.org).

Social networks are essential for
resilience. Our social networks
provide us with the single most
important buffer against physical
and mental illness. For many
reasons disadvantaged people lack
this buffer and live with high levels
of loneliness and isolation.
Using Time-credits
People say they dont volunteer
because they dont get paid for
their work, but TimeBuilders does
reward you for your input.
Introducing TimeBuilders
Making people and communities stronger
Before joining I used to sit at home
staring at the clock, watching tv and
drinking.
People need an environment
where they can form purposeful
social networks that support their
recovery. This is what TimeBuilders
is all about.
...to create networks of friends...
Being a TimeBuilders member
means you have more things to
do in your life, ...I have met a lot of
different people and made lots of
new friends.
TimeBuilders does not ask people
to receive, it asks them to give.
It allows people to contribute
and make a difference on their
own terms, combining their time
and skills to create projects that
respond to real needs in our
communities.
...who do the work needed...
I have helped with the Christmas
parties and Family Activity Days
which I feel have brought the
community together.
Ive helped to grow food in the
garden and shared my gardening
skills with others. Im no expert but
Ive definitely helped.
TimeBuilders enables people to do
the work that is needed to make
communities strong and happy
places to live. In doing this they
form relationships and purpose
and become happier and more
resilient people.
Our misson statement below sets
out our aims and methods:
...to make people and
communities stronger.
I would guess I know more than 50
people now who are all part of my
community. when I see them out
on the street we stop for a chat.
People now look at their weeks
and they are full of positive
activities. Every week I have
opportunities to look forward to. 3

We have five core projectsthat create opportunties to earn time-credits through meaningful work that benefits the community
Time-credits are earned for every
hour someone contributes to a
TimeBuilders project.
Projects focus on important work
that needs to be done.
Some of these projects have a
distinct identity of their own, this is
because we believe there is value in
connecting people to a cause that
they are passionate about.
I run the table-tennis group and
games club. Ive always wanted
to run a group, TimeBuilders has
given me access to resources and
leadership training.
Finding new hobbies and interests
is imporant for your recovery.
TimeBuilders has all sorts of groups
for anyone to try out. At the same
time they open up a social circle for
those who are isolated.
4
Time-credits : earning opportunities
Nourishing projects
Tackle social isolation and food
poverty. We collect surplus food
from retailers and cook tasty
and nutritious meals. These are
served at community cafes called
FoodCycle hubs.
I live my myself and dont cook. The
meals are really important and my
diet has improved.
In the last 12 months:
9,214 meals served from surplus
food in community cafes in 5 areas
of Sheffield.
Over 20,000kg waste food used to
provide healthy meals.
fe!
for the ca
ok ready
These lo
Growing projects
Growing organic food in unused
city spaces, supplying organic
vegetables to our community cafes
and FoodCycle hubs.
Its not just learning new skills, its
having fun as you do it.
Community gardens in 3 sites
across Sheffield.
16 raised beds will be installed
in gardens in deprived areas of
Sheffield.
1,820 bags of street litter picked
Engineer
I am an
Learning projects
Volunteers teach English to new
migrants, many from troubled
parts of the world who are keen to
develop their English in order to
integrate and contribute.
When I first moved here I was
alone in the country. TimeBuilders
has given me the opportunity
to learn English and meet new
people.
630 language classes delivered by
50 volunteers.
210 people attended language
classes in 2016.
88% attended more than one class
per week.
 w to
learn ho
I want to those
make
Making projects
Working in our communal
workshop to recycle, restore and
reuse. The core work is making
raised beds for our growing
projects, but people can bring in
their own projects too.
After battling an alcohol addiction
my confidence was taken away
from me. TimeBuilders has given
this confidence back.
The workshop has become
something to focus on, instead of
worrying about my health problems
all the. Now I can focus on sharing
my skills with other people.
Connecting projects
Our members groups allows us to
share skills, talents and passions,
while our events celebrate our work
and invite others to join us.
Theres a possibility to find more
things for me to fill my time with.
Painting, crafts and sewing are all
new skills I have never done before
coming here.
18 Family Activitiy Days for 529
children, 236 adults and run by 90
volunteers.
23 social events.
19 regular groups set up by
members.
5
 Loneliness, Social Networks and the Health System: Why it matters
Loneliness and isolation are hidden
and endemic problems in our
communities. You cant be happy
if you are lonely because we are
hard-wired as social beings. Being
part of a social group is part of
our evolutionary DNA; essential
for survival since being alone was
dangerous. So feelings of loneliness
are a warning sign, the same as
feelings of hunger, or thirst, telling
us of a threat to our survival.
Loneliness causes us stress,
increasing the levels of cortisol in
our bodies and has physiological
impacts on immune and
cardiovascular systems. It takes up
mental bandwidth. Lonely people
make poorer decisions, particularly
in social arenas, creating a spiral of
loneliness.
Lonely people die younger; being
lonely is the equivalent of smoking
15 cigarettes per day and of
obesity. You are at greater risk of
alzheimers disease if you are lonely.
Loneliness is closely linked to many
other chronic social problems:
mental illness, homelessness,
substance addiction.
6
Understanding the effects of isolation and inactivity on our communities
Loneliness is an increasing burden
on our health and social care
systems. It is estimated that 30%
of GP appointments are for non-
medical conditions with loneliness
at their heart.
Loneliness needs the same amount
of focus as tackling smoking,
or obesity or mental ill health.
Loneliness can only be cured by
connecting people into social
networks. However this is easier
said than done and it is surprisingly
difficult to form these sustaining
connections.
Research by Professor Martin
Webber (University of York) reveals
that the development of healthy
social networks requires an
environment where the following
things happen:
The capabilities, assets and social
networks of disadvantaged people
are recognised and developed.
People have a sense of purpose.
They are able to rekindle old skills
and interests and discover new
ones.
People can develop networks with A common downward spiral
new people and organisations. Isolation and inactivity..
Activity is contained within a .......
eliness....
framework that is both consistent ..........lon
and flexible over time; people .....low se
lf-esteem
can choose both the type and .....
quantity of their involvement.(www.
....
connectingpeoplestudy.net) ss............
..........stre
TimeBuilders fulfils all these
.poor de
requirements. The variety of work cision m
aking.
available and the recognition and
reward of the Time-credits means .......
l anxieties
that people can get involved easily ......socia
and then create a path to greater ...greater
isolation
involvement. Members report that ........
their social networks grow, and
that they make real friends through al ill h ealth.....
TimeBuilders. 86% of participants ....physic
say that they are more confident ...menta
l ill healt
in meeting people, 79% are more h........
optimistic about their future and
93% are more motivated to take
part in new activities.
Other research (Rotherham Social
Prescribing Service) indicates that
this sort of structured low level
activity has a significant impact
on presentations to GP surgeries
and reduces unplanned hospital
admissions by as much as 20%.
 Time-credits : spending opportunities
Opportunities to spend time-credits and engage in a variety of ways.

Earning opportunities need to be

matched by spending opportunities
to complete the exchange.
Time Credits have value because
they can be spent on rewards that
come from surplus capacity and
generosity within the community.
The rewards are often group
activities which reinforce the
development of social networks. Tickets from leisure Training St Marys Cafe
organisations
In this way TimeBuilders creates a Training for members to A dual economy cafe where people
natural loop between meaningful Football clubs, theatres, leisure further their skills in community pay for their food with Time-credits
work and informal socialising that organisations across the city development and leadership. or with cash. Supported by surplus
leads to broader networks and provide tickets and vouchers from food from Fare Share and
even friendships. their surplus capacity. our garden.

Tickets from leisure organisations ...

icing this
Try pract
add huge value to our time credit
economy and enable people
to connect with mainstream
organisations.

I did not realise the impact it would Skills Exchange Classes Leisure activities and events
have. People with no money are
Individuals can use time credits to Informal classes are organised by The TimeBuilders Office organises
able to participate in activities they
reward each other for practical help our members who have special activities and events to bring people
would not otherwise be able to.
or skills exchange. skills or knowledge to share with a together, sharing new experiences
pick litter then go to the theatre! Its
group. and good times.
a no-brainer.

7

TimeBuilders is changing the lives
of people who experience social
disadvantage, loneliness, poverty,
unemployment and mental illness.
Many of these issues are often
interconnected. TimeBuilders gives
people the opportunity to feel
needed and useful by making a
meaningful contribution to society.
In the last 12 months TimeBuilders
worked with over 580 people in
5 different parts of Sheffield. The
majority are from disadvantaged
communities.
Over 29% of members have mental
health difficulties and 34% have
chronic health difficulties. All are
long term unemployed.
Around 42% (240) are from
marginalised BAME communities
and two of our projects are run by
and for excluded women from the
Pakistani community.
Most people who join TimeBuilders
are acutely lonely, knowing fewer
than 5 people. They have nothing
to do with their time and feel they
have no use or purpose. They are
in this position for the following
8 reasons:
Our Impact
What we have done to tackle the root problem of isolation
Mental health difficulties with a 2016-17 in figures: An upward spiral of engagement
consequent loss of routine and
213 new members. The process of earning and
relationships, resulting in a spiral of
spending time-credits and resulting
loneliness and mental illness which 19 new groups formed including
benefits is a positive upward spiral
is hard to break. Knitting, Chess & Games, Music,
of engagement.
Photography, Art, Walking,
Traumatic transitions as people
Philosophy, Clay modelling, Fitness. This distinguishes TimeBuilders
flee to the UK from persecution
from other single aspect volunteer
or conflict at home. All their social 23 social events held including Quiz
schemes.
networks have been disrupted Nights, Board Games Evenings,
by the transition, they know very Choir Performances, Classical
Concerts, Fetes and Open Days, improve
little English and so find it hard to d menta
l health..
know how to begin to integrate. We improve .
6 day trips, for 50 members each d physic
al health
work with people from many of the time, to Manchester, Scarborogh, ...
trouble spots of the world: Syria, Hull, Lincoln. ....
a d e n n etworks..
Iraq, the Congo, Libya, Sudan, Iran, .......bro em....
Eritrea and Somalia.
Food Cycle Community Cafes
c r e a s e self-este
developed in 4 areas of Sheffield ....in
An increasing number of men are (Langset, Firth Park, Sharrow and .........wor
k in a tea
joining TimeBuilders because they Lowedges). 9214 meals served. m.......
....impro
have retired from work and/or have ve social
630 language classes delivered. skills....
become widowed and have lost all
.
social contact. 18 Family Activity days for 529
e e l v a lu ed............
children, 236 adults and run by 90 .......... .f
............
Women from some BAME t people
TimeBuilder members. ........mee
communities are isolated because ...............v
of cultural and domestic barriers; 1,820 bags litter picked up from olunteer
..........atte ............
they may be restricted from streets. nd a gro
up........
socialising outside their family Growing vegetables on community
setting and may not be able to Isolation and inactivity...
sites in 3 parts of Sheffield.
make choices about education or
A new Mesters workshop opened.
employment.

This years results:
478 total number of members.
10,215 time-credits earned.
7,769 time-credits spent.
2,600 hours of participation
without exchange of time-credits.
"Volunteering at TimeBuilders has
helped with my anxiety and built my
confidence back up.
"After a bad time in my life I am
hoping to get back on track, and
TimeBuilders has helped with that."
I feel like I am needed because
I run a weekly group. For some
people its the only;y time they
socialise.
"I was unemployed
After alcohol issues so I had too
much spare time. TimeBuilders
filled my diary with activities to
give me everyday structure. It has
helped me gain a full time job.
Our Outcomes
Feedback from our members
2016-17 Members Evaluation
Since joining TimeBuilders...
65% of us
have developed a new
80% of us
feel more useful to
interest or hobby other people
86% of us
78% of us
feel more confident about
meeting new people
feel we have contributed
to our community
93% of us
68% of us
feel more motivated to
feel more confident to ask
get invovled with new
people we know for advice
activities
or support
62% of us 79% of us
have developed a new 76% of us feel more optimistic
skill or ability feel we have a better about the future
structure to our
week
"TimeBuilders has been really "I took part in the Loneliness It keeps me motivated to do things,
important in my mental health Research project where I found out ...gives me a reason to get out
recovery. about problems in the community, of the house and helps to meet
sharing my experience with people.
"TimeBuilders has given me
loneliness has helped other
opportunities to give and take. It
people work through theirs."
helps bond people together.
9
 Working Across Sheffield
TimeBuilders has been growing across Sheffield, forming hubs of active groups

A hub is where people come In Firth Park at St Cuthberts we

because things are happening. By have a weekly Foodcycle cafe run
placing several activities together by ladies of the local area, who are
a positive energy grows and new also starting to grow veg.
things start up.
In 2016 new Foodcycle cafes have
In Upperthorpe at St Barts and we
also started in Lowedges and
have a weekly FoodCycle cafe and
Sharrow.
several members groups including
vegetable growing.

TimeBuilders supports volunteers

in all the hubshelps
Volunteering to take
megreater
deal with
responsibility.
anxieties We provide
by keeping busy and
Leadership
learning newTraining
things.and facilitate
10 peer support among Leaders.

TimeBuilders works by weaving
together the goodwill of dozens of
partners in the community. Without
this asset the project could not run.
Some of our partners are other
voluntary organisations, others are
commercial leisure organisations
who generously support us with
surplus tickets for times when they
have spare capacity. Others donate
their surplus food or give us space
in their premises for our activities.
We could not work without the
following:
FoodCycle are a national network
dedicated to reducing food waste
and food poverty. We have learned
so much from them
Fare Share - fantastic partner
donating pallet loads of surplus
food each week
Sheffield International Venues - give
tickets for non-peak time activities.
These are hugely valued spending
opportunities
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club -
tickets for home games
Sheffield United Football Club -
tickets for home games
Partners
We value and appreciate the following partners for all their support
Sheffield Theatres - give us tickets
for public dress rehearsals and first
night performances
The Vine Sheffield - give us free
premises for Food Cycle cafes
Cemetery Road Baptist Church -
free premises for Food Cycle cafes
St Cuthberts Firth Park - generous
terms for Food Cycle caf
Tinsley Community Forum - for
support and encouragement
Beanies Wholefood Co-op - for
surplus food
Marks and Spencer PLC - for
surplus food
Tesco - for surplus food
St Peters Greenhill - for volunteers
and inspiration
Lowedges Community Centre - for
partnership and premises
Tramlines - for festival tickets
Amey - for litter-pickers and bags
Spice - for inspiration and Were always looking for more
assistance when starting our time- partners. If you like anything about
credit system. what we are trying to do please call
and speak with us - wed love to
hear from you.
11
 The Art House
Social innovation in arts based health provision
Our most recent social innovation
was a partnership with St Matthews
Carver Street in Sheffields city
centre. Started in 2011 it involved
raising 1.5m to refurbish St
Matthews House, a large semi
derelict building adjoining the
church so that it could once again
serve the local community.
Drawing from the artistic beauty
of the church and the vision of Fr
Ommaney who originally built the
property, St Matthews House was
successfully opened as the Art
House in July 2015. It is a stunning
new building made possible by a
complex financial package involving
European Regional
Development Fund
Charity Bank
Vincent House
St Matthews PCC
The Tudor Trust
The Sheffield Church Burgesses
Trust
Westfield Health
In 2016 the Art House won the The Sheffield Town Trust
Social Investment of the Year award The JG Graves Charitable Trust
from Social Enterprise Yorkshire The Osborne Trust
and Humber.
12
The Art House is an innovative
and asset based response to
mental health. Its purpose is to
enable people with mental health
difficulties to lead meaningful
and contributing lives because
mental health is best dealt with
not in a segregated unit, but in the
community where most problems
are best solved.
The Art House is an exciting new
approach because it integrates
people with mental health
difficulties and the general public
by bringing them together to learn
pottery and art. We run a range
of courses: wheel throwing, hand
building, painting, drawing and
watercolour. Commercial classes
are aimed at the general public and
"wellbeing classes" at people with
mental health difficulties.
In this shared space people with
mental health difficulties are able to
discover their talents and abilities,
to learn skills, to develop the
confidence to progress into main-
stream classes, to volunteer and to
become connected to the broader
community.
If you would like to know more
about The Art House, please
contact us directly:
The Art House
8 Backfields, off Division St, S1 4HJ
0114 272 3970
info@arthousesheffield.co.uk

13
 St Marys Finances 2016-17
Consolidated summary of accounts for St Marys Community Centre and St Marys Conference and Catering Ltd

Income (000)s We sailed pretty close to the wind

in the last financial year; demand
189 for our work is increasing, money is
tighter and we hate to say no.
390
63
Were incredibly grateful to the
funders who supported us this
Grants
year:
Earned Income
Conference and catering income Big Lottery Fund (Reaching
Communities)
Lankelly Chase Foundation
Expenditure (000)s
The Henry Smith Charitable
82 Trust
170
183 The Church and Community
205 Fund
Esmee Fairbairn Charitable
Community development staff
Trust
Conference and catering staff
Conference and catering costs The Sheffield Church Burgesses
Community activity costs Trust
Big Lottery (Awards for All)
Overall Result (000)s
The Sheffield Town Trust

640 642

Income
St Marys holds regular fundraising
Expenditure
community events such as the
Surplus (2)
annual Summer Fete.
14
Thank you for taking the time to
read our annual report. If you
would like to discuss our work in
more detail, please contact us.
Graham Duncan,
Director

St Marys Cafe is a thriving

community hub, accepting both
cash and Time-credits.
15
 Social Innovation at St Marys 1830-2000
St Marys has a rich history in community development
St Marys Church was built in
1830 as one of 3 churches built
in Sheffield to commemorate the
battle of Waterloo. The others were
St Philips Netherthorpe and St
Georges Portobello. St Marys is the
only one which remains a church.
When it was built St Marys was
quite in the country but as
Sheffields industry developed
it became surrounded by small
Mesters housing.
It seems that St Marys was always
at the heart of the community. The
parish history records that over
250 men regularly attended Bible
studies - of whom 137 served in the
Great War, 15 did not return.
During the blitz of the Second
Word War the church was badly
damaged: the roof was virtually
blown off and the congregation
relocated to St Barnabas in
Highfield. Due to shortage of
materials it wasnt until 1950 that
rebuilding work began. To reflect
the changing needs of the parish
the vicar, Stephen Burnett planned
to split the building, so that one half
16
14
would become a community centre
and the other remain a church. This
plan was enthusiastically supported
by the local community who raised
40,000 through pub collections,
jumble sales and tea parties.
In 1957 the refurbished building
was opened by Princess Alexandra
and was the first church to combine
a community centre in the Church
of England.
For the next 30 years or so the
community centre thronged with
life and all sorts of societies sprang
up: boxing, fishing, sewing, cricket,
dancing , amateur dramatics, young
couples societies and youth clubs
forming a network of community
support which sustained people
through times of immense poverty
and change.
However the housing around
St Marys was poor quality with
shared toilets and baths and the
city council embarked on a housing
clearance programme, reducing the
local population sharply and by the
1980s the community centre was
really struggling to remain viable.
When Julian Sullivan became vicar
in the early 1990s he recognised
that a new cycle of social innovation
was needed and started the vision
to completely refurbish St Marys to
meet the needs and opportunities
of the 21st century. At the turn
of the millennium a 2.65m
refurbishment programme was
started. The congregation moved
to Sheffield United football club for
the duration and the new St Marys
opened in October 2001- offering
a completely integrated building
of church, conference centre and
community centre.

17
 St Marys
Please contact us:
St Marys Church & Community

Annual Report Centre

Bramall Lane, Sheffield S2 4QZ

2016 -17 0114 223 0223

sales@stmarys-church.co.uk
www.stmarys-church.co.uk

TimeBuilders
0114 223 0240
james.starky@timebuilders.org.uk
www.timebuilders.org.uk

St Marys Conference & Catering

0114 223 0223
sales@stmarys-church.co.uk
www.stmarys-church.co.uk

The Art House

0114 272 3970
info@arthousesheffield.co.uk
www.arthousesheffield.co.uk