Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What geographical area do you work in?

A. We will work directly with any church-related community initiative in Hackney or Tower Hamlets, and in addition with community initiatives from Black Majority Churches in other parts of east London, Southwark, Lewisham, or Lambeth. If your group is from another London borough we may still be able to help, so do get in touch.

We have sister Barnardo's projects in Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow, and some contacts with other agencies doing similar work elsewhere.

Q. How much does your service cost?

A. Membership entitling a group within our catchment area and remit to our basic information and advice services is free.  If you then opt and qualify for our more intensive 'consultancy/mentoring' service, we usually offer an initial free six-month period after which we ask for a small contribution (minimum £100) for each six-month consultancy. If you are able to gain funding for aspects of the work we do with you (e.g. evaluation, social audit/community profile, management committee training) we ask that you do so, and will help you apply.

Q. Can you help me fill in a grant application?

A. Yes. But we find that applications are much more successful as part of a planned approach - we'll help you with this.

Q. Can you help me straight away?

A. We can usually offer a one-off session with one of our project workers within a fortnight (often quicker). You may have to wait if you want us to do more work with you, depending on the other demands on our project workers.

Q. When and how should I get in touch?

A. The sooner you call us the better. You can contact us by phone, e-mail or by popping in to our office base. We can then arrange for one of our project workers to talk through with you what you are looking for and how we might help.

Q. Can you give us a grant?

A. No. CANDL does not have grant money to distribute, though occasionally we can help in a small way with volunteers' expenses connected with our work with groups.