Our Vision for the future

CCA aims to demonstrate God’s love, by meeting people’s practical needs, and restoring self-worth.

We are doing this in Reading and believe God would have a similar work in many other towns and cities. If this is to happen we shall need a sustainable operating model supported by a church that is ready to pray, fund and resource the work.

The operating model must be based on the needs of our clients – the disadvantaged and marginalised within our community. It must work alongside other local social action groups and also Social Services. The church in the Reading area must be motivated into social action with all congregations linked into the work. The local operation must engage with regional and national groupings.

Above all else - we must keep listening to God!

Our History

The work of Christian Community Action started in the Reading area in 1992 with a desire to reach out to those on the margins of society, whether through poverty, homelessness or long term unemployment. The work was the vision of one “man with a van” who took it upon himself to collect clothing and furniture from donors and supply these to individuals and families who were desperate for support. He used a small derelict barn as a store house.

The Council quickly recognised the value of the work when in September 1993 they granted CCA use of premises in Whitley, free of charge for a period of 10 months.

CCA was run on commercial guidelines to ensure a positive working environment and structured day for long term unemployed volunteers. The work was designed to help these volunteers get back into the discipline of a working environment. The work programme was developed around the skills and tasks associated with the collection, recycling, refurbishment and redistribution of donated goods.

The work grew. By early May 1994 some 14 individuals were working as volunteers on a regular weekly basis within CCA, and another 4 individuals had by this time passed onto further training and work experience.

The next 13 years saw CCA moving its operations from one temporary warehouse to another. Although we were grateful for each provision we needed a permanent site to promote stability. Our supporters rose to the challenge and in January 2007 we were able to purchase a warehouse in West Reading.

CCA has had a programme of opening charity shops with integral support centres in different local communities around Reading. These shops and support centres are largely staffed and run by volunteers who live in the locality. To date we have 5 charity shops around Reading and outlying districts, and these have proved to be well supported by people in the various neighbourhoods. The numbers of people coming into the support centres for help, or just a friendly chat, has increased steadily over the last few years.

We thank God for what has been achieved so far and look forward to what the future holds!