A few years ago Malc Sterling, a Christian fireman with a young family from an inner-city neighbourhood in Old Trafford, Manchester, was reading US Christian social activist Shane Claiborne's Red Letter Revolution, also known as The Irresistible Revolution, a book about what the words of Jesus mean for our everyday lives, when he decided to take action.
Sterling approached Common Change, a US charity that enables people to pool money to give to individuals or good causes in their communities and, he says, 'Within a short time, a group of friends who pray and do life together with us started a group in the UK. It's great having the money safe in the Common Change fund to trust our contributions will get directly to people we care about who are in need.'
People whom Sterling's group has helped include a single parent under pressure from social services about keeping on top of housework; his group was able to help resolve concerns by cleaning up the house together and hiring equipment. Another friend was stressed with anxiety, dizziness and panic attacks; the group was able to connect her with a great chiropractor. Another woman was helped with bills and a child from the school that Malc and his wife Lynda's own children attend had their bike stolen and was bought a new one by the group.
Sterling explains to Christian Today: 'Sometimes you want to help someone but you don't necessarily know you are doing the right thing – this way you get the wisdom from others. A suggestion comes forward, it goes around the group, and you have people from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences, and sometimes the answer is No.'
It is a unique and sensitive way of giving. Occasionally, it may be a case of an individual potentially finding it offensive if someone with more money than then gives them something. 'But generally speaking when you come from a group – it takes away personal element,' Sterling explains.
'Our covenant is to give something every month. People can pay anything from a pound a month then they have access to the pooled money. So rather than them having a pound to be generous with they have a thousand pounds.'
Now, following Malc's example, the charity Common Change is being launched in the UK by chair of trustees Matt Wilson.
Common Change believes it has a unique way to tackle economic isolation and insecurity. Using a technology platform developed pro bono by Silicon Valley programmers it enables people to pool money with those they know, to share with people in urgent need of financial support.
The charity is founded on the early church principle of holding resources within a 'common fund' and distributing from it when a need is encountered. This is one of the standout features of the Common Change model – it is entirely group based, with a minimum group size of 3 people.
Common Change groups can be formed by groups of friends, by church groups and home groups, by extended families or amongst workplace colleagues. The groups, also known as 'generosity circles', agree between themselves how much members will contribute each month. Standing orders are established with Common Change and the online platform provides live reporting on how the group 'piggy bank' is growing.
Unlike with other charities, the needs being met are discovered, decided upon and delivered purely by the group members. Those group members can make giving requests to the group, via the Common Change platform, and all members are immediately notified. Discussion follows, very much like the comments section of a Facebook post, and the App works out whether or not there is sufficient backing. If so, Common Change will arrange for the disbursement of the requested funds.
Shane Claiborne, co-founder of Common Change, said: 'Belonging to a Common Change group is a vital way that we contribute to needs in our community – and draw in others to support too. Ten years ago when we set up Common Change in the US we never knew it would become a channel through which millions of dollars would be raised and thousands of people would be blessed – all around the world!'
Those interested in finding out more are encouraged to email the chair of trustees, Matt Wilson on matt@commonchange.uk and to visit www.commonchange.uk
