Commitment in Communities

CiC is a charitable limited company closely associated with the Methodist Church in Manchester. The charity was formed in 2001 to replace the work of the Manchester and Salford Methodist Mission (MSMM), which had provided services to Manchester and Salford residents for over 120 years.

This work ranged from rehabilitation of offenders, family support, employment for the vulnerable or those with substance misuse issues, youth work and work with women. Two centuries on, the core values "Need not creed"; of the founding member, the Rev Sam Collier are still integral to the work of CiC today. Our core roles can be separated into two distinct areas:

• 1. Developing Potential

  We work with faith and non-faith organisations to enable them to develop their potential to contribute to serving local communities and addressing the needs of those who require support. CiC offers a variety of practical services ranging from financial assistance and bid writing to accredited training and policy and strategic development. Increasingly the focus of our support will be Methodism and strong partnerships have been formed with the Manchester Circuit and the Manchester & Stockport District which will increase our capacity to provide an increasing range of services and practical support.

  There will be a marked increase in the services which will be available through our website and this will be supplemented with additional development support on the ground.

  CiC has always placed great emphasis on building partnerships and on being the ‘honest broker’ and we are in the process of building new alliances and initiatives across the region.

  CiC also provide training and support on a range of issues.

• 2. Project Management and Development

  In addition to advising and supporting others, CiC has a strong track record of developing and managing a range of projects that provide real opportunities for the vulnerable.

  CiC runs a number of projects ranging from youth engagement, volunteering, work with refugees and the running of Manchester’s Learning Skills and Employment Network (LSEN) and the Community Safety Network (CSN). Again there is great emphasis on a partnership approach and a willingness to encourage independence for projects that wish to become separate entities.

CiC's purpose and vision is to:

• To provide real opportunities for the vulnerable and excluded that will allow them to be respected and to realise their potential.
• To be the social action arm of Methodism.

CiC's strategic objectives are:

• To develop the capacity and skills of the disadvantaged and excluded to enable them to participate more fully in society.
• To develop partnership based responses to social exclusion.
• To support urban regeneration and combat social and economic deprivation .