Yarmouth church reaching the local community

Kingsgate Community Church in Great Yarmouth has launched a range of projects aimed at helping the local community to come together after the rigours of the last two years. Tony Rothe reports.

The initiatives include community lunches, coffee mornings, craft café, as well as the ongoing hot food delivery service and children’s clothing provision. There are also training or volunteering opportunities in the kitchen, coffee shop and kitchen garden.
 
Julia Miller, Community Manager at Kingsgate, said “Our focus is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for adults to enjoy re-engaging with community activities, coming together to build friendships, reduce loneliness and isolation and to access the help and support they need. There are no eligibility criteria for people accessing our activities.”
 
The coffee morning runs on Wednesdays from 10.30am to 12.00 noon in the coffee shop, where everyone who comes will find a warm welcome, refreshments and friendly chat.
 
The new Community Lunch project provides a tasty two course hot meal every Wednesday from 12 noon to 1.30pm. This is open to anyone who would like to come, but Julia does, however, need to know who is coming so that they can cater for the right number of people. The meal costs just £2, but is free for those who are financially struggling or on low incomes.
 
Later in February Kingsgate are launching a new community craft cafe, a sociable craft group for adults of all abilities, which will take place on Thursday mornings from 10 to 11.30. This will start on February 24.
 
Community Transport can be arranged, through funding secured to enable people to access these activities at the Kings Centre who might otherwise be excluded.
 
Kingsgate is continuing to operate the Hot Food Hub, delivering a free hot main course meal on Tuesdays and Thursdays, directly to the homes of people who are unable to get out and benefit from the services and support available in the community. The service is available for individuals, families and households living in need in the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston area.
 
Alongside the doorstep chats, telephone calls are also made alongside the meals to help reduce isolation and offer further support where needed. To find out more about this free service and request a referral form, please email: hotfoodhub@wearekingsgate.org
 
Kingsgate also offers free laundry and shower facilities, one to one support, internet access and practical training or volunteering opportunities in the Kitchen, Coffee Shop and soon to be re-started Kitchen Garden.
 
There is also Lilies, their pre-loved children's clothing service, delivering free parcels of clothes for families in need with children aged 6 months to 11 years, and SMILE, the teatime holiday activity club, providing fun and food in the school holidays for local families with primary school age children who are struggling.
 
To find out more information about any of these activities, including accessing community transport, booking into the community lunch or undertaking training in the kitchen, please contact Julia Miller on email: julia@wearekingsgate.org or via the community team phone: 07393 499749.
 
Kingsgate Community Church is based at Kings Centre, 30 Queen Anne's Road, Great Yarmouth, NR31 0LE
   
Website: www.wearekingsgate.org

Read our previous story about the Kingsgate Hot Food Hub here.

Read our previous story about the Lilies children’s clothing service here.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in East Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.