The Lantern Initiative: 2024 so far
In July 2024, we bid farewell (but not goodbye!) to the Revd Jon Canessa, the Cathedral’s Lantern Initiative Lead. In this article, he sums up the first six months of the year…
Find out moreOctober & November 2024 – Before planning your visit, please check our ‘Visitor Notices’ for accessibility updates and one-off changes to opening times. Click here to view.
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NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
NEWCASTLE CATHEDRAL
A BEACON OF LIGHT
The Lantern Initiative
In centuries gone by, a fire was lit in the Cathedral’s Lantern Tower to act as a beacon for boats navigating their way up the River Tyne at night. Today, the Lantern Initiative acts as a beacon of hope at the heart of the city, working alongside people experiencing dark or difficult circumstances by meeting individuals where they are and building reciprocal relationships of trust.
This video illustrates our approaches to working with the Cathedral’s visitors and groups and individuals within the wider city and Diocese…
The Lantern Initiative is rooted in the Cathedral’s core values: Radical Welcome, Inspiring Worship and Empowering Worth.
In recent years, the Cathedral has played a growing role in responding to prison leavers, people who are seeking asylum, those who are sleeping rough, people struggling with problematic drug and alcohol use, and/or poor mental and physical health.
The Lantern Initiative was established in 2021 to respond in practical ways to its many visitors who, for whatever reason, struggle to access support and are often disconnected from support services.
Ongoing projects
Recovery Church
Recovery Church is for individuals recovering from various addictions. We hold weekly sessions on Wednesday evenings in central Newcastle and on Sundays via Zoom. All are welcome, regardless of faith or belief.
The Story Chair
The unique ‘Story Chair’, created in 2022-23 in collaboration with women who have experienced the criminal justice system, is now back on display following a regional tour. This project was a partnership with Changing Lives and Northumbria University.
Speaking Up Together
Speaking Up Together is a self-advocacy group run by and for adults with learning disabilities. With the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the group runs educational workshops and craft sessions exploring the Cathedral’s heritage.
Homelessness Ambassadors
Our Homelessness Ambassadors bring personal experience and awareness of complex needs and the impact of trauma. This volunteer role provides an understanding and compassionate listening ear for visitors from the homeless/roofless community.
The Lantern Approach
The Lantern Initiative operates through four key approaches:
- Practical Support – We provide a listening ear, signposting and/or accompanying individuals to access support and services within the city. This includes assistance with GP registration, counselling, debt advice, addiction services, housing support, and benefits advice.
- Personal Engagement & Empowerment – We aim to enhance self-worth and self-confidence, often leading to co-produced projects with those who have lived experience, as well as opportunities for volunteering and employment. For example, members of Recovery Church volunteer at the Cathedral and other locations, co-deliver training sessions, and gain work experience and employment through Café 16 in the Cathedral Refectory and The Oswin Project.
- Justice Seeking – We highlight and challenge injustices faced by those individuals we walk in solidarity with. This includes hosting city-wide events to raise awareness about drug-related deaths and showcasing the Story Chair, which involves women with experience in the criminal justice system.
- Spiritual Nurture – Recognising the spiritual dimension in all of us, as emphasised in the Twelve Steps Programme (a set of guiding principles for recovery from addiction), we offer spiritual retreats for the recovery community (including ‘Oaktrees’, a locally commissioned recovery and rehab service), meditations, services, and workshops for both clients and staff of recovery and rehab services.