Background

Motivation for the All Saints Community Development Project comes from a review of the life and work of All Saints, the Parish Church of Kings Heath, undertaken in 1996. This review was partly a response to perceived problems (poor access, a dilapidated church hall, lack of toilets, and other basic facilities.), but it was even more a response to a sense of opportunity and vision (we have a light, clear and attractive church building, much under-used land, an excellent location, a history of work with the community and the chance to do so much more with these resources).

We channelled this energy into a Values Statement. This defines the congregation as an open and inclusive community rooted in the Christian tradition and on that basis seeking truth in all people of good will, from all faiths and none. It commits the congregation to active partnership with all who seek the welfare and peace of the human community and to work with them in the pursuit of social justice. This remains the wellspring of the Project.

The Development Working Party, set up to channel this spiritual energy into practical proposals for the renewal of the church site, determined to:

• consult widely, so that proposed changes would meet clear needs.
• be holistic rather than to engage in piecemeal and possibly mutually incompatible mini-improvements and projects.
• identify and visit other projects so that we could benefit from their experience..
• seek partnerships with appropriate organisations.

It is as a result of these policies that the Project has been conceived and developed. Our final proposal is based on:

• clearly articulated community concerns (e.g. more activities for young people)
• developing our existing provision (e.g. youth work, work with the elderly)
• the needs of users of our existing premises (e.g. more storage space, improved amenities )
• achievements seen at other church and community led developments.

Less predictable is the emergence of the All Saints Medical Centre as our major community partner following discussions with a number of potential partners including Focus Housing and Age Concern.

In 2001, leaders of the Project visited the Bromley-by-Bow Centre in East London where a multi-faceted community regeneration project, which included a General Practice, has evolved from a church-based community initiative. From this visit, the aim of a ‘centre of healthy living and spiritual welfare’ was crystallised.

From our existing facilities (church and hall) we provide:

• a range of activities, projects and support for young people aged 11 to 19, 5 days and 3 evenings per week. This includes a mentoring scheme, issue and citizenship programmes, a Connexions information access point, holiday programmes, and recreational and sporting activities.
• a lunch and social club for the elderly.
• a children’s after-school club.
• a badminton club

The church building is used for worship, school events, coffee mornings and occasional concerts and exhibitions.

Our facilities are also used extensively by other community groups to provide services for the people of Kings Heath. These include:

• a pre-school playgroup meeting 4 days per week
• a Scout Group
• yoga,
• a widow’s club
• Black-led and Latvian churches.

Our vision is to build on what is already happening, providing better facilities and delivering new and improved services at the heart of the community.