York Minster’s congregation has announced that they will be supporting Home-Start UK as one of the three charities it will fundraise for and promote over the next two years.

The cathedral’s worshippers took the decision to select three charities – one local, one national and one international – to partner with until 2019.

As well as supporting Home-Start UK’s life-changing work with families, York Minster will support the work of local charity York Neighbours, a charity that supports people over the age of 65. They will also support international charity, Embrace the Middle East, who help people of all faiths and none to free themselves from a life of poverty and injustice to face the future with hope in the Middle East.

Canon Michael Smith, Canon Pastor at York Minster said: “York Neighbours, Home-Start UK, and Embrace the Middle East are three fantastic charities which are working hard to improve the lives of people affected by illness, social isolation, family adversity, poverty and conflict.

“Over the next two years we will support our chosen charities with special services to give thanks for their work, fund raising and special events to increase understanding and awareness of their activities. We will also look at how people can get involved in other ways such as through volunteering for the charities.”

Rob Parkinson, Chief Executive of Home-Start UK said “Unfortunately not all children have a safe and happy start in life and when families crumble, children suffer. Across the country Home-Start UK support 30,000 families and 60,000 children. The support of York Minster will raise vital funds to help Home-Starts put a trained volunteer at the heart of the family, in the home, to help them cope with challenges such as post-natal depression, isolation, physical health problems, domestic abuse, and bereavement. They will help parents improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

“We are delighted that York Minster has chosen to support life-changing work, and, that as well as supporting Home-Start UK throughout 2017, York Minster will host Home-Start York’s schools concert in October.”

To find out more about York Minster, visit their website at www.yorkminster.org.