NOTICE FROM THE TRUSTEES FOR MAY 2026 AND ANNOUNCEMENT

 

After 13 years of sacrificial ministry, the recent pressures of keeping Refreshment going has become very demanding. Like many organisations in this cost-of-living crisis, we have found ourselves personally meeting a large financial shortfall every month and struggling to maintain the work, with other avenues of funding not forthcoming.

 

At the same time, Simon, our National Director, is now in kidney failure and has seen his condition deteriorate quickly. The trustees have decided that, with a long period of rest and sabbatical scheduled, to allow him to prioritise that. We ask for respect as both Laura and the family personally deal with the physical and mental challenges that currently go with this diagnosis. He has since stood down from his role.

 

Sadly, with these two challenging situations in funding and health, we have taken the very difficult and regretful decision to begin to close much of the operations of Refreshment UK. This means we will return both buildings in Blackpool at the end of their leases to their landlords and sadly, no longer have the funding to support the teams in the local areas. At this stage, we hope to keep Refreshment UK going as a voluntary mission organisation based out of Hinckley and hold onto the vision that was given to us to see mission happening all over the UK by 2030 after a period of recovery and restoration.

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THANK YOU

We thank everyone for being part of our work and ministry over the years and their support, and we will update with any practicalities. We pray the Lord will restore, and we appreciate any prayers for all those affected by this, including all staff and volunteers.

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We hope that many people will have been inspired by our ministry across the last thirteen years and we pray many of those continue or develop similar ministry in the future. There have been many great moments and memories we have created.

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For those in Blackpool, we hope that many will gather round the team there to help with the closure of the buildings and stand alongside us to help in whatever way is needed.

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PASSING ON THE BATON

As we lease both buildings in Blackpool, it will be up to the landlords as to what happens next. It would be our desire to see other Christian Organisations step up and take on the running of these sites whilst we can’t.

 

We will post details of what happens with them when we can.

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RECEIVING GIFTS

We are still happy to receive gifts and donations that will help the charity fulfil its mission objectives, as well as continue with the 400 Club and support for Faith India Ministries as we still believe in our long-term vision. However, we will write to all current supporters over the next couple of months as to whether they wish to continue.

 

For any queries on this, please contact us using the email address below:

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The Trustees of Refreshment UK

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THE WEBSITE WILL HAVE UPDATES ON ANY ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GOING ON IN THE FUTURE BUT HAS BEEN STRIPPED BACK