Last year was a great one for St Paul’s Church in reaching out to the local community and becoming a one stop shop for help and support.

The work is continuing in 2018 with help from a fully qualified counsellor and physiotherapist Denise Cheshire who is providing counselling facilities five days a week from the church.

Last year saw the launch of the Parchmore Medical Centre Social Prescribing project with Age UK and Parchmore Church which is helping to fund  projects to reduce isolation and improve health and wellbeing.

It has also also been vital in providing NCT/breastfeeding and support for Brigstock House refugees.

Highly qualified, accredited Independent talking therapist Denise, explains what the sessions entail:“Therapy offers you time in your week for someone to listen to you. Perhaps you have a problem, or a dilemma, or are considering the way forward, or you feel at a loss, or have experienced a loss. You aren’t desperate, but you would just like to understand yourself or a situation better. You just want to feel better in yourself.

“You believe that you need someone who is professional, confidential, and neutral to talk to, someone who won’t tell you simply what you want to hear, someone who won’t judge you, but aims to help you to make the best of your strong points, and consider new ideas.”

Denise is now based at the St Paul’s as part of the community project and can be contacted on: 07974 779357.

In December the church hosted a seniors Christmas lunch which saw 80 people enjoy a three course meal. Each also received a present and had a great time. A whole crown of turkey was left over which was taken down to Brigstock House so they could join in the spirit.

Special thanks to Brigstock Road Tesco who supplied the wine.

Gill Borthwick  from St Paul’s said: “We have great premises and want to continue to reach out to all people in our community.

“If you have ideas of what we might be able to provide, want to help us, want us to help you then simply pop in or watch out for advertising via Facebook, posters, or here in The Chronicle.”

If you would like to know what groups are using the community hall or get involved drop in to the coffee morning on a Friday from 10am to noon. You will find a warm welcome, refreshments, and friendly faces to chat to.