The Cinnamon Network has won a Big Society Award from the Prime Minister for its work helping local communities.
The charity provides start-up grants of up to £2,000 to churches to fund social action projects supporting the most vulnerable people in their local communities.
Projects to have benefitted from a Cinnamon Network grant include Street Pastors in Manchester, debt advice services in Bradford, and a befriending scheme for isolated older people in Wokingham.
Commenting on the award, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "I'm pleased to be able to give The Cinnamon Network this Big Society Award in recognition of the huge difference they have made across the country.
"From jobs clubs to street pastors, by supporting churches to address the most pressing issues in their neighbourhoods, The Cinnamon Network is transforming communities for the better."
The Cinnamon Network launched in 2010 and has since expanded across England and Scotland.
Matt Bird, Co-Chair of the Cinnamon Network said: "The Cinnamon Network is strengthening the muscles of local churches by generating ideas for community projects, encouraging neighbouring churches to work in partnership and providing £2,000 micro-grants to any church that wants to start a recognised project.
"We want to make sure that local churches have the funding and support to do what they do best - reaching out to their local communities to help those most in need."
