OPEN DOOR PROJECT

  (Click here for latest pictures...changing all the time)

Our building was inadequate to meet the needs of our vision. So in 1998 the challenge began to discover God's vision for the future of the church. Any visitors will always remember the hall with the sloping floor and steel pillars in the middle, these rendered the hall unsafe (modern Health and safety!) to hire for many events and the general construction was in need of more than a refurb! Wood paneling and Dulux finest gloss had served us well over the years but in order to really open ourselves up to the 21st century a far bolder approach was needed. Jane Weedon our minister (1996 to 2007) set us on our way… 

Following this, we felt God was calling us to be a church with an “Open Door”. A project which has really come to reality in the last eighteen months was set up to look at ensuring that we opened up God’s love to the community. This project was two fold; firstly to establish a vision for outreach and secondly to have a building fit for purpose to deliver this. This has been a very challenging journey, difficult at times but we firmly believe that God is behind this.

The project’s Vision and Mission Statement is:-

“To provide a safe physical, spiritual and emotionally supportive environment where people with a wide range of needs can find befriending support and be signposted to formal support services and organisations.”

The Aims and Objectives of the project are to provide (subject to funding):-

• A meeting place offering various activities on a regular basis.
• Additional lunch club facilities for older people in the town.
• A ‘Drop in’ facility.
• A trained and equipped community team to offer a confidential listening ear to anyone who needs it.
• Offer a safe, attractive, supportive and positive environment for local groups and individuals.
• A safe and welcoming place where the young people can meet with their friends and have fun, support and be listened to.
• An integrated playgroup, children’s clubs, and after school facilities.

The United Reformed Church is a place with an Open Door to all who come in and for the people of churches to reach out, responding to the needs of the community.

And..............How will this be achieved?
We have refurbished the church to create an accessible café and by demolishing the old hall and building a new one to create a Church and Community Hall with all the facilities to host a range of services as follows;
 
For the Elderly

• A meeting place that can offer various regular activities.
• Additional group facilities and activities.
• A ‘Drop-in’ facility.

For young people

• A safe and welcoming environment where the 16-24 age groups can meet with their friends and have fun.
• A place where they will find people willing to listen.
• Support.
• A voice to speak up for young people and explore relevant issues.

To support and encourage young families by providing: 

• An integrated playgroup.
• Children's’ clubs 0-15 yr
• After-school facilities 5-15 yrs

To ensure that people have a sense of belonging, the aim is to:

• Establish a Coffee shop—a friendly place open every day.
• Offering initial advice and guidance
• A place for confidential listening
• Offer a safe and attractive environment for local groups and individuals

Please just come in through our open door.....................you are guaranteed of a warm welcome!