A decade of supporting people on life’s journey across Doncaster.
2014 – 2024
Founded on 1st May 2014 by Alyson & Ian Mayer, and based in Doncaster North, Manna Community CIC existed to create opportunities in and around the Doncaster area providing a context for meeting the broad range of physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs within local communities.
Manna Community CIC adopted the Bentley area of Doncaster and also worked closely with stakeholders in the Minster Quarter in Central Doncaster, exploring how best to support community transformation across the city.
The provision was distinctive in its delivery, including a number of value-led services that both developed and connected into local social and community activities. Manna Community CIC worked in partnership with individuals, groups and organisations — together through shared relationships, shared values and a shared vision.
Produced by film maker Tom Ruddock, this short film explains why Manna did what it did, and showcases the service that supported residents living in DN5 & DN6.
Supporting People on Life's Journey — a timeline of the projects, partnerships and people that shaped Manna Community.
Founded on 1st May 2014 by Alyson & Ian Mayer, supported by John & Sue Sutcliffe and Grace & Dorian Harris, Manna Community CIC was all about supporting people on life’s journey — creating opportunities to meet the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs of local communities.
Manna Community projected a series of static images onto the east side of Doncaster Minster during the 2014 advent season. With around 30,000 vehicles passing the Minster each day, the projection ran 4pm–8pm on Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st December 2014.
Heritage gives us our sense of belonging and pride in where we live. Manna Community supported The Sand House Experience as a way to celebrate Doncaster’s unique heritage — its cultures, memories, landscapes and the things that made the area worth celebrating.
The giving of Manna Packs — some given to large groups at events as a gift to bless and support people, and some tailor-produced for individuals to meet a specific need.
The importance of mental health and wellbeing is often underestimated. Manna was committed to supporting people on life’s journey, believing everyone should have access to counselling when they needed it.
Launched on Friday 9th September 2016, the Pop-Up Café was a flexible space designed to support the diverse needs of the local community — providing a context for connections between local Church, Education, Civic and Business leaders and local residents.
A 1-year sponsored project supporting Pete & Cath Walley, connecting with people on a personal level, offering support, advice and encouragement, and exploring the significance of faith in local community life.
FREE events offering a light lunch and an inspired hour with a special guest. A chance to meet our guests, to ask questions, and to enjoy conversations streamed live to thousands of people online.
Memento Bereavement Support — a specially dedicated time including lunch, giving an opportunity to connect and chat in a warm and comforting environment for those affected by loss.
As a community we felt the need to gather more, and create spaces in which we could get to know one another, laugh together, and learn more about our place in the world. The meet-ups happened regularly throughout the month.
Manna Community CIC signs legal handover documents to formally begin working in partnership with DMBC and other key community stakeholders, to re-purpose the former Bentley Training Site as an innovative community hub known as The Well.
Launched in December 2018 and managed by Manna Community CIC with partners. Inspired by the ‘Doncaster is Great’ idea, the initiative celebrated everything great about Bentley using the hashtag #bentleyisgreat.
With a focus on families and communities, Bentley Pavilion provided a range of support, services, events and projects based around four community themes: hospitality, health, heritage and hope. Following a 6-month community engagement consultation, the business plan was fully reflective of community need.
The PIT STOP provided public toilets during café hours, offering a great all-day breakfast, hot and cold meals, drinks and snacks. The name was developed in consultation with the local community and reflected the Pavilion’s historic links with the mining industry in Bentley.
Manna inspired PLCs, LTDs, CICs, CIOs & Co-Ops to partner and do amazing new things with food production and distribution. Working with Food AWARE CIC, surplus food was redistributed — diverting it from potential waste and into needy communities.
After several successful community events in previous years, regular Community & Talent Nights were officially launched at Bentley Pavilion — evenings of comedy, magic, music and laughter celebrating community. Bentley’s Got Talent inspired local musicians and artists to grow their performance skills.
From the week commencing 16th March 2020, COVID-19 closed community venues and put everyone in isolation. By pulling together commercial and community partners, Manna Community CIC created a range of valuable support packages — cooked meal delivery, food packs, recipes, mental health support, connection meetings, a phone helpline and much more.
During lockdown, with one form of exercise permitted per day, Manna Community CIC celebrated the local area of Bentley with photos and sounds recorded by members of our team.
FREE online courses launched covering low mood, stress and resiliency — helping people work out why they feel as they do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm and tackle upsetting thinking.
After delivering over 4,000 hot meals between March and August 2020, Manna Community CIC developed a Mobile Outreach Service designed to connect directly with individuals and families across the DN5 & DN6 community.
Bentley Pavilion became home to a new café launched by Amelia Boston, acting as a meeting hub in the community. Perfectly positioned facing Bentley Park, the café welcomed dog owners, families and elderly residents, serving high quality home-cooked food.
A brand new project for the Manna Academy training kitchen, welcoming vulnerable members of the community looking to learn new skills. More than a typical Cook and Eat session — a family atmosphere where people could feel comfortable to try new things and make new friends.
After 10 years of running community projects, Manna Directors were invited by King Charles III to Buckingham Palace to attend the Royal Garden Party. A privilege to look back over a decade of community initiatives delivered alongside some wonderful community partners.
A glimpse of the people, projects and shared moments that made up the Manna story. Click any image to enlarge.
A decade of community work taught us lessons that continue to shape everything we do. Here are ten of the most important.
Manna began by adopting Bentley and listening to the community’s actual needs before designing services. The 6-month consultation before Bentley Pavilion opened reflected this.
From the Pop-Up Café to the PIT STOP to Food with Friends, almost every significant connection started around a table. Shared meals break down barriers faster than any programme.
Working with Food AWARE, DMBC, local businesses and civic leaders meant Manna achieved far more than it could alone. Shared relationships, shared values and a shared vision were the model.
COVID-19 forced Manna to pivot overnight. Delivering 4,000+ hot meals in five months showed that a community-rooted organisation can respond faster than institutions when it already knows its people.
Physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs don’t exist in isolation. The breadth of Manna’s services — counselling, food, heritage, bereavement support, talent nights — reflected this holistic approach.
Adopting a specific geography (DN5 & DN6) gave Manna focus and credibility. Transformation happens when you commit to a place over years, not just pass through it.
From Bentley’s Got Talent to the #bentleyisgreat campaign, Manna understood that communities grow stronger when they’re proud of who they are. Celebration builds identity and belonging.
What started as a CIC with a handful of founders led to a Royal Garden Party invitation from King Charles III ten years later. Faithfulness in the small things compounds.
Manna ran for a decade, achieved its purpose, and was dissolved with dignity. Not everything needs to last forever — sometimes the greatest legacy is the relationships and learning that continue after the organisation ends.
Manna Community CIC was dissolved, but the vision of supporting people on life’s journey continues through The Jubilee Trust. The work was never about the organisation; it was about the people it served.
After more than a decade of community impact, Manna Community CIC (Company No. 09021407) was formally dissolved on 2 September 2025. We give thanks for everyone who walked with us through the years — the volunteers, partners, residents and supporters who made each project possible.
The vision continues. The Jubilee Trust remains committed to supporting people on life’s journey, and the relationships, learning and heart of Manna live on through our ongoing work across Doncaster.
The work of supporting people, churches and communities continues through The Jubilee Trust. Get in touch to find out how we could partner together.