Dunstable

Could you help us make Christmas special for those who may have little or nothing under the tree on Christmas morning?

We are in need of unwrapped toys and gifts for children from birth to 18 years old which will then be distributed to families in need locally in Dunstable and Houghton Regis. 

Please bring donations to Dunstable Salvation Army, Bull Pond Lane, Dunstable, LU6 3AH during office hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm.

The final date that we can receive donations is Friday 12th December. 

If you would like to make a financial donation instead, please visit our JustGiving page by clicking below. 

For any further information, please call us on 01582 606031 or email dunstable@salvationarmy.org.uk 

Thank you.

Sunday 7th December at 11am - Gift Service led by the Young People. Bring a new unwrapped gift for 0 – 18 year olds and wear your Christmas jumper.

Sunday 14th December at 4pm - Messy Church

Sunday 21st December at 5pm - Carol Service

Wednesday 24th December at 4pm - Christingle Service

Thursday 25th December at 10:30am - Christmas morning family worship

11am - 12:15pm Morning Worship  All ages welcome. 

4pm - 6pm (2nd in month)  Messy Church. Ideal for families. Craft activities, games, stories, singing. We conclude sharing tea together. There is no cost but donations welcome.  

10:45am - 12noon (4th Sunday every month)  - CoreKids Activities, teaching, fun (and a snack) for children to explore the bible and learn together.

For additional meetings including Youth activities, please call for details

OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY/TUESDAY  12NOON - 6PM

OFFICE HOURS: WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY 9AM - 3PM

Monday

1.30pm - 3pm   Community Care Drop in. Help for those in need of food bank vouchers, food, clothes, showers etc

Tuesday

9.30am - 11.15am  Toddler Time. Due to the high demand for places, there is currently a waiting list to attend. Please call our office to add your name to the list.

1.30pm - 3pm   Community Care Drop in. Help for those in need of food bank vouchers, food, clothes, showers etc

8pm Songster (Choir) Rehearsal

Wednesday

From 10am -1pm  Sally Ann's Cafe (Coffee morning / Light Lunches / drop in- open to all) 

10:30am (4th Wednesday each month) Singing by Heart.   A Dementia Friendly Singing Group for those living with Dementia and their carers, come and join in fellowship and sing familiar songs.

10am -12 noon        Knit and Natter Group 

1.30pm Oasis (55+) A group for fun and friendship. Anyone is welcome to come along.

7pm - 8.15pm 'Community Kitchen'. This is open to anyone to drop in for a hot meal, company and a listening ear. We are also able to help the homeless or vulnerable with sleeping bags, clean clothes, showers etc.   

Thursday

10.30am - 3pm  The Over 75's Friendly Club - This is a club for Over 75 years old, who are living alone or in circumstances where opportunities for meaningful social interaction are limited. We work in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council. If you are interested in joining the waiting list for this group then please contact the Centre on 01582 606031.

The club involves a contribution of £6.

7.45pm Band Rehearsal

Friday

12.30pm - 2pm   Community Care Drop in. Help for those in need of food bank vouchers, food, clothes, showers etc

Saturday

Occasional  social events / concerts 

Other   Please contact our Centre for more information regarding regular Bible Study / House-groups.

FOR THOSE WHO NEED PRACTICAL HELP: Drop in and see us Mondays and Tuesdays 1.30pm - 3pm and Fridays 12.30pm - 2pm.

We can issue food bank vouchers, or small food bags for those not entitled to vouchers.

We may be able to help in other practical ways with clothes, sleeping bags etc. Please ask.

We have free shower facilities at this time. Laundered towels are available for use.

Our  Evening Community Kitchen was set up to combat the issue of feeding the homeless in the local community. Now, a team provide a weekly service providing a meal, clothing, hot showers and a listening ear to a huge number of needy people as they come through our doors every Wednesday evening throughout the year.

This is open for any vulnerable people to drop in.

Our Debt Advice Service is also fully functioning  - see other notes

The main aim of the Debt Advice Service here in Dunstable is to empower people to manage their own finances and enable them to feel more in control of their financial situation. 

We offer a free, confidential service and support to anyone in the local community who is in debt.  We negotiate with creditors and agree a repayment plan that is reasonable and affordable enabling them to make regular payments to their creditors thus reducing their debt and become debt free.  Because we  negotiate with the creditors, people often feel an immediate relief from the burden of their debts and feel a weight has been lifted from their shoulders.

Some of our clients have mental health issues, suffer from domestic violence or have been thrust into debt by a sudden illness, accident leading to disability or loss of income.  We are able to support clients with practical things such as food parcels as well as signpost them to other agencies that may be able to help them with other issues.  

The following is a case study of one person who has used our service and her words of appreciation. 

The Salvation Army Debt Advice Turned my Life Around 
“I am so grateful to you for the help you have given me.  You are like friends to me and I don’t know where I would be now without the help you gave me.  You took time to listen to me and really care.  I don’t lie awake all night now worrying about my debts.  I felt like they were getting out of control.  I now feel more in control of my life.  I will never forget the kindness you showed me”  anon 

For more information or an appointment, please contact the Debt Advice Team on 01582 343680 or email dunstabledas@salvationarmy.org.uk

Free, confidential, impartial advice authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FCA.

4pm - 6pm (2nd Sunday every month)  Messy Church. Ideal for families. Craft activities, games, stories, singing. We conclude sharing tea together. There is no cost but donations welcome.  

10:45am - 12noon (4th Sunday every month)  - CoreKids Activities, teaching, fun (and a snack) for children to explore the bible and learn together.

Tuesday 9.30am - 11.15am (term time only) Toddler Time Due to the high demand for places, there is currently a waiting list to attend. Please call our office to add your name to the list.

We have a weekly newsletter 'Weekly News' published  ready for every Sunday. This contains information regarding our worship meetings, other events, prayer requests  and news from our membership.

Paper copies are always available in the foyer of our hall. If you would like a copy to be emailed each week, please email us (with your email address) and we can add you to our distribution list. Thank you.

The Salvation Army works with some of the most vulnerable people in society. People on the margins need us now more than ever. Salvation Army centres all over the country are responding in dozens of different ways.

Help us support as many people as possible. All money will be spent in our local community.
 
To give financially: Please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dunstable-salvation-army and donate what you can.

You can also give via the Givt app. 

Alternatively we still accept cash and cheques made payable to 'The Salvation Army'.

Other items: We are able to take donations of non perishable foods and toiletry items. We are currently not taking fresh food.

We welcome donations of sleeping bags, new adult underwear and t-shirts and are able to accept a limited stock of good condition casual wear. These are used to support adults in the main.

Thank you and God bless you.

Hall Hire Charges

(Revised January 2023)

Monday – Friday Per Hour Room Charges.

Room & Cost (Commercial Rate & Registered Charity Rate)

Worship Hall - seats 150

£60.00 / £45.00

Beacon Hall – seats 70

£30.00 / £22.00

Footsteps Hall – seats 50

£25.00 / £20.00

Ashridge Room – seats 12

£15.00 / £10.00

Biswell Lounge – seats 24

£20.00/ £15.00

Kitchen - Negotiable

                No Party or Weekend bookings

Notes:

1. Times include set-up and clean-up.

2. In order to qualify for “not-for-profit” rate the applicant must be a registered charity.

3. All “one-off” Hires must be paid for in advance.

4. Room Hire Charges include the use of equipment provided that the items are agreed upon in the hiring contract. This includes, but is not limited to: table, chairs, dishes, oven, dishwasher, microphones etc.

5. Extra rooms will be charged at an additional rate.

6. The Footsteps Hall is upstairs on the first floor (there is no lift).  All other rooms are on the ground floor with easy access.

7. Hiring Contracts cover the terms of the rental. The contract must be signed prior to occupancy.

8. Rent reviews occur annually for 1st April, which will take effect when your annual contract is renewed.