FUNDRAISING ~ Major build completed..........BUT, we have other things planned read on for more details!

The Open Door Project clearly established a need in the local community for services to help and support, for example, the elderly and their carers who are often ‘forgotten’; families that for many reasons are unable to buy their basic needs - we are home to the New Forest Basics Bank a joint community outreach scheme to provide the necessities of life to local people in need; provision of child minding/crèche facilities plus many more services (refer to our Open Door Project page on the website also).

The ‘Open Door’ Project is a collaboration between the Lymington United Reformed Church (URC) and several partners, both statutory and non-statutory, who want to use the Lymington URC community building to be a place with an open door to serve ALL the local community regardless of ethnic origins or religious convictions.

Money was needed to refurbish and rebuild; to create a high street accessible coffee shop, to demolish the old hall and build a new one, to create a marketplace for information and advice, offer a befriending service and be a facility able to host a range of services and organisations.

The cost of the re-development was over £1.1 million. The Wessex Synod of the URC pledged £500,000 thus leaving the Open Door Project to raise £600,000. To date we have raised a staggering firm amount of over £550,000 through our own continual efforts, successful funding applications and donations but a further £50,000 has still to be found.

Several of our anticipated activities were in action and operating in the old building before its demolition e.g. the New Forest Basics Bank, Carers Café plus Support Networks, Coffee Mornings, Women's Groups and courses for the under privileged persons and the hard to reach. The strong demand for these services more than confirms our initial assumptions.

Full Planning Permission was granted in July 2003 and April 2004. As a direct result of active fund-raising and the proven need for this community project, the proposed building programme for the project was approved by the The Wessex Trust in January 2008. Work on both the church alterations and the new church hall commenced early 2008 under contract with Norman Wright (Portsmouth) Ltd. The church sanctuary was stripped completely, the floor and pews removed and the building was completely renovated  with a new balcony together with modern heating, lighting and sound systems. The old church hall has been totally demolished and the new multi purpose hall is now available and being used. (Refer to the "Gallery" page for more photos).

During building the Lymington URC closed for church services and all other activities, with the exception of the New Forest Basics Bank which was temporarily relocated to another church site. This ensured continuation of the Basics Bank service and the support  its 50+ Partners. The URC building work was completed and keys handed back to the Church on the 24th April 2009. The first Church Service was on Sunday 7th June 2009 and the cafe and other facilities opened for "business" on the 14th June 2009.

We are fully and completely dedicated to our “Vision”, our “Mission” and our “Objectives” and strive to contine to fund raise for our Open Door Project as planned with your help.

Help us to progress this proven and much needed project by contacting us through this website - see the "Who's Who" page and/or "Contact" page or call 01590 676306.

We nearly forgot.................................what happened to the temporary relocated New Forest Basics Bank????? Well, we launched a new building fund to house this service back at the URC in a separate building to the rear of the new Church/Community Hall - this was launched in December 2008 with a target of £25,000. The money was raised by June 2009, the centre was built and Basics Bank moved in to their purpose built accomodation on the 17th August 2009 with the first emergency food parcel leaving to support a client by 11am on the 18th August 2009.

We're not afraid of a challenge at the Lymington URC but we would like your help, so if you can assist us or you want to know more about us, we ceratinly look forward to hearing from you!

Our very best wishes to you.

The United Reformed Church (Wessex) Trust, charity number 282729