Willowfield Parish Community Association

The community association was set up in 2002 by Willowfield Parish Church to try and address many of the complex needs of the local community.

The Revd Canon David McClay and his wife Hilary moved to the church from a rural parish and were immediately faced with the very real needs of those living around them. David says: “Thankfully we weren’t starting from scratch; the previous minister had pioneered the way. He was very involved in the life of the local community.”

The first thing the church did was ask the local residents what they would like to see going on in the area. From this research they identified six groups of people in particular need:

• The elderly
• Lone parents
• Families struggling with poverty
• Unemployed adults
• Teenagers
• Children

The church quickly discovered that to get funding to meet these needs they would have to set up a separate organisation. So the community association was born.

The speed with which the church has been able to address these needs and the number of projects they now have on the go is remarkable. The congregation was willing to get involved and supplied a great team of volunteers. Hilary McClay learned how to ask for funding and make grant applications. So far they have managed to secure £1.2 million in grants, some for capital investment and some to cover running costs.

At present there are nine paid staff in the association and a further five working for the church. Much of money has come from Christian grant-giving agencies. Hilary’s advice to other churches is: “There is money out there if you fit the criteria and are willing to learn how to apply.” 

They have also been able to develop effective partnerships with other organisations such as Care, Care for the Family and Church Army.

Their current projects include:

• GEMS a project for the elderly
• Homework club on a Monday and Wednesday.
• Kidz Klub on Fridays  
• The W Club for men
• A support group for those addicted to drugs and alcohol
• E2L - a club for children who are learning English as their second language.
• Share - for parents who would like to support their children with school work
• After school football
• After school club
• Explore - looking at issues of faith
• Girls’ group
• The Old Crew
• Active youth drop-in
• Detached youth work
• Besom
• Café 91
• Empowering women
• African cultural evenings.

Recently they have opened the Micah Centre out of which they run much of this work. This is an integral part of their church plant as it is linked to one end of the building.

Last Updated 16 December 2008