Churches support struggling families

Picture By: Keith Blundy
Activities and food for Children in response to Holiday Poverty and Hunger across the Diocese.

Fifteen churches across the Diocese of Durham are taking part in a series of summer events for young people.

The holiday clubs and specially-organised events are organised by the Diocese and Communities Together Durham, a joint venture between Church Urban Fund and the Diocese of Durham and part of the national Together Network developed by the Church Urban Fund to support communities facing challenges relating to poverty and hunger.

Communities Together Durham Development Worker Val Barron said: “These holiday clubs are aimed at families who may be struggling this summer. They cover two of our diocesan priorities, poverty and children.”

Among parishes taking part is Usworth in Washington which is this week hosting a week of holiday activities including a daily BBQ (10-15th August) from 10.30-3pm. All the activities are free including the BBQ.

The Revd Julie Wing, the Rector of Usworth, based at Holy Trinity Church, said: “Initially, we were  going to host a free BBQ each day for a week as a pilot scheme which if it proved successful would become a regular holiday event in order to provide a meal for families struggling during the holiday season.

“However, as more organisations heard about what we were doing, and why, this has developed into what we now call the Sulgrave Community Week with activities being provided by other organisations.

The week includes:

• Monday 10- climbing wall, activity bus, face painting  craft activities and games

• Tuesday 11 – treasure hunt, bouncy castle face painting crafts and games

• Wednesday 12 The team take the BBQ into Waterloo Walk where they will be joined by Sunderland FC Foundation to do ball skills, with the children also bulb-planting in the area

• Thursday 13 Scavenger hunt with bouncy castle, craft and games

• Friday 14 Climbing wall, activity bus, face painting  craft activities and games

• Saturday 15 The team closes the week with a service and BBQ

The Revd Wing said: “Each day will begin with a short service and the church will be open for the craft activities and for people to wander round and use the prayer stations within the church.”

During the week the church will also be open on the Monday 10-12 noon and the Wednesday 11-12 noon for people needing food parcels from our foodbank as we are also part of the Washington Community Food Project.

Other events across the summer in the Diocese include: