Whilst Christchurch may be perceived as a wealthy town, there are parts of our conurbation in the top 20% most deprived areas nationally for multiple deprivation (income, employment, education, skills and training). One of these also falls into the top 20% most deprived nationally of families with income deprivation affecting children aged 0-15 years.
Christchurch Foodbank+ statistics show a twofold increase in help being given from 2018 to 2019, with some people becoming dependant on the Foodbank weekly. Over 1100 people needed help feeding families during the 2019 Christmas school holidays alone in Christchurch because of ‘holiday hunger’.
Christchurch Foodbank+ are, therefore, calling on churches in particular to help them run projects that will lift people away from: debt crisis, unemployment, risk of homelessness and food poverty; thereby lessening their dependency on the Foodbank itself as a long term solution. [Foodbank Steering Group Meeting 5th December 2019]
Local government cuts have impacted projects run in the community. Christchurch has seen council spending fall by 31% since 2010/11 with obvious effects on the community from loss of provision.
In addition, increasing media and social media pressures, peer pressure and county-lines can be devastating for young people and their families, with increasing mental health problems and family social disruption.
The question we have to ask is, “How can we help stand in the gap? How can we minister to those in crisis?”
Our aim is to build high quality, multipurpose facilities with a view to significantly increasing our engagement with the community, enabling ongoing growth in the church.
These include:
- Supporting the next generation – children, youth and families
- Encouraging fitness for all ages
- Marriage and parenting support
- Supporting and providing services for the elderly e.g. those with mental health issues, and their carers; providing a friendly and caring environment; befriending activities; activities aiming to reduce social isolation.
- Supporting those who are disadvantaged such as those on low income, or with social needs with courses and practical help e.g. debt management and counselling / housing / Foodbank / addiction recovery.
- Providing support in the field of mental health including stress and anxiety management, activities etc…
To build new facilities connecting the current buildings at Twynham Church.
Replacing the existing ‘Fun Factory’, which was built in 1950s as a youth hall, with a full height modern multi-purpose sports and events hall. The current building is inadequately insulated making it cold, uninviting and difficult to use for much of the year and does not take full advantage of its potential with a low roof height, steelwork and poor storage. The proposed building is designed to be a venue for youth, children’s work, families and all-age activities including sports, as well as other church and community events.
Building a two storey suite of rooms attached to the Sports Hall on the space currently occupied by a temporary and dilapidated portacabin, which has now been decommissioned. This would comprise of three offices, three meeting/counselling rooms, a small kitchen for beverages and additional toilets. Both floors of the development will be accessible from the existing buildings with disabled access to all areas. The proposed work falls within the current confines of the footprint of the property.
