Exclusive: Sentamu widens initiative to help struggling families

Dr John Sentamu called for the policy mistakes of past recessions not to be repeated as he broke off from fractious discussions at the General Synod in York to announce the nationwide expansion of a Christian charity, Acts 435, that has already enjoyed considerable success across this region.

It enables parishioners to register requests for help online, once they have been sanctioned by a local vicar, and for churchgoers to make donations to needy individuals of their choosing. Locally, this scheme has helped purchase a new washing machine and cooker for two families, while also funding a computer laptop for a student so that he could consider his university studies.

Its patron is Dr Sentamu who believes the time has come for Acts 435 to be rolled out nationally because of the seriousness of the Government's public spending decisions.

Writing exclusively in today's Yorkshire Post, the Archbishop said "things can seem very bleak indeed" for those who may find themselves out of work or on benefits".

"In my job, it is not difficult for me to come across people who are experiencing genuine suffering and hardship," added Dr Sentamu. "Why is it during an economic downturn it can feel like whole sections of communities can be written off or forgotten? It is utterly wrong from a human perspective and I do not believe we should sit back..."