Bridging the Gap
Bridging The Gap – Willenhall
Why?: To have a united and visible Christian action in Willenhall Town Centre, showing God’s love and purposes to His people. (mission statement)
History: The project has been running now for 10 years. It started as a result of the closure of Trinity Methodist Church in Union Street Willenhall. The idea was for Churches Together in Willenhall to have a town centre Christian presence, with its first embodiment being a stall on the indoor market.
Subsequently a grant was obtained from the Churches Urban Fund to pay for a manager and the Methodist Church invested in a shop building, to which the project moved in 2001. This is where we are based at present 79a, Stafford Street, Willenhall.
What do we do?: The project has developed from the initial befriending outreach and we now provide a listening ear, friendship, debt counselling, benefit advice, form filling, support and listening ear, prayer, bereavement support, and lots of cups of tea. We will basically try to help anyone who has a need, short of giving money. All this is done in a Christian caring atmosphere which is the practical way that we share God’s love.
What else?: We have also encouraged other organisations to provide services from the building which has a meeting room and a prayer room available for use. These include a “Pyramid” social group for those over 55 years of age – now meeting at St. Stephens, a Junction 10 Church men’s group, and Families Anonymous group for the relatives of addicts.
Finances: The second hand shop provides a source of income which pays for some of the overheads and we also receive funding from grant giving trusts, currently from the Sheldon Trust, the Church Urban Fund.
Who is involved?: There are three part time paid staff – Mike, the project manager, Don, the money advice worker and Mandy, who looks after the volunteer rota and the day to day running of the shop. Most of the shop work and the befriending is done by a fantastic team of over 40 volunteers most of whom are from local Churches but some who just enjoy the work. We also work in conjunction with the Black Country Food Bank and Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
Spin offs: We are also, in a small way helping people get back to work or into society. Some of our volunteers, after realising their self worth when working in the shop have gone on to obtain paid employment. We also provide work placements for work search organisations such as Steps to Work and Biscom, in addition to work experience placements for some of the local schools.
Over the years we have run two Alpha courses and are looking at ways of continuing the nurture of some of our staff and visitors. We are considering the establishment of regular nurture & mid week worship for those unable to get to Church on a Sunday.
Anyone wishing to know more either call in to see us, or ring on 01902 606615 and speak to Mandy or Mike
or e-mail m.batchelor922@btinternet.com