NECN: The National Estate Churches Network
Charity Registered in England & Wales, No 1104767
Registered Office: Bishop’s House, Orsett Road, Horndon-on-the Hill, Essex, SS17, 8NS
www.nationalestatechurches.org
Charity Registered in England & Wales, No 1104767
Registered Office: Bishop’s House, Orsett Road, Horndon-
David Greenfield is our Development Worker and is a key part of making the Network work for all of us. Contact him: M: 07809 877685 E: Click here to email
David’s role means he makes various visits around the country. Read about his latest visit below, or click here to read about previous trips.
David’s role means he makes various visits around the country. Read about his latest visit below, or click here to read about previous trips.
Development Worker’s visit to Blackpool
At the invitation of Deaconess Judith Wray, I visited the Open Door project on Grange Park Estate in Blackpool on 30 March. Four years ago, Judith Wray was invited by the Blackpool Methodist Circuit to work on one of the most deprived housing estates in the north west and with the highest rate of
teenage pregnancy in the UK. With no links, little funding and no premises, Judith looked for inspiration. She attended the NECN conference in Birmingham and was encouraged by the stories from other estates around the country.
She later identified two under-used community centres on the estate to base the work. Now with a dedicated team drawn from the Layton Churches Together and Blackpool Methodist Circuit, there are weekly
She later identified two under-
activities serving local residents including affordable breakfasts, days out and other social activities. Many have benefitted greatly from this project, but one story I heard stood out. Read Haleema’s story here.
I joined the team at 9:00 a.m. as they set up to serve breakfasts to local residents. I was impressed by the dedication and commitment to quality in
I joined the team at 9:00 a.m. as they set up to serve breakfasts to local residents. I was impressed by the dedication and commitment to quality in
every respect. After all was set up, we gathered for a Bible reading and prayer. Breakfasts were served and conversations struck up between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Judith later took me on a tour of the Grange Park housing estate. I saw other projects, including those featured on a recent episode of the Secret Millionaire. My impression was an estate which is benefitting from some excellent joined up working across statutory, voluntary, community agencies and the local council.
I highly recommend visiting Grange Park Estate if you are looking for inspiration for your work on housing estates. For further information, you can email Judith:
judith.wray@methodist.org.uk.
If you would like to read Judith Wray’s account of the story of Grange Park Open Door Project, click here.
Judith later took me on a tour of the Grange Park housing estate. I saw other projects, including those featured on a recent episode of the Secret Millionaire. My impression was an estate which is benefitting from some excellent joined up working across statutory, voluntary, community agencies and the local council.
I highly recommend visiting Grange Park Estate if you are looking for inspiration for your work on housing estates. For further information, you can email Judith:
judith.wray@methodist.org.uk.
If you would like to read Judith Wray’s account of the story of Grange Park Open Door Project, click here.
Open Air Easter Passion on the estate with a local school
Judith & Lloyd Wray