At the Manna House, we strive to support and transform the lives of those marginalized or excluded from mainstream society due to poverty, hardship, family and relationship breakdown, age and infirmity, mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, long-term unemployment, and social isolation.
We achieve this by offering a range of local support services and collaborating with local government, politicians, businesses, retailers, churches, charities, and health service providers.
The charity’s work began in 1994 when Tamworth Elim Church established a local day nursery, forging initial links with the community. The following year, with trust fund monies and support from the local council, the church purchased five derelict buildings and two car parks. These buildings were renovated and, in 1996, became the new home of The Manna House.
Over the past 30 years, the charity has continuously reinvented itself to meet the evolving needs of the local community. Past projects have included special needs housing, a counseling service, a pregnancy crisis centre, and a luncheon club for the elderly. In the early 2000s, the Manna House, in partnership with the Trussell Trust, established a FoodBank in the town, providing emergency food to those in need and connecting us with some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
This initiative led to the creation of several new ventures, including a community café where anyone can receive free drinks and food, a free parent and toddler group for new parents to connect, a free choir for dementia sufferers and their carers, and a free coffee morning for the elderly.
In recent years, the Manna House has collaborated with other third-sector agencies such as Citizens Advice and the NHS to provide support, advice, and guidance to those in need. Our More Than Food project employs several Community Chaplains who work closely with service users to help alleviate the causes of poverty.
By continually adapting and expanding our services, we remain dedicated to making a positive impact on our community.