Gifts of practical things needed in lessons

Schools are usually very grateful for gifts of artefacts and practical things to use in lessons. But always check first!

The first thing to do is to find out what the school actually needs. Many well-meaning people just 'donate' gifts to schools. These often end up gathering dust because they are not needed or are not appropriate. So ASK first.

The church could, as part of their giving programme, choose to set aside an amount each month to fund a particular resource. Or if the school had a larger need, the church could publicise the need to the congregation and commit to provide a certain amount of funding for that project.

Encourage the school to participate at the church fundraising activities and offer to give a proportion of the takings to worthy causes in the community, including the school.

The church can also allow the school free access to the buildings and church equipment for the school's own fundraising events. Churches can encourage members to collect the various supermarket school vouchers when they are available and donate them to the local schools. These have been the means of small schools getting much needed computer and sports equipment.

Making the most of working with schools