Situated in Hillock, Whitefield, St Andrew’s is one of many churches that are actively involved in their community. This is especially important during the summer holidays – even more so when the weather isn’t good!
Throughout the school holidays, the church is running a breakfast club where children and families can come and get breakfast for free thanks to kind donations from local organisations. This is on from Monday-Friday between 10-11am, until the 1st September. Along with a variety of cereals, toast, hot and cold beverages, and fruit, families can come and have a morning of fun with toys, games, and even origami-making for the children to enjoy. This week, a bird box and bird feeder-making event provided something different for families to partake in – a great way to spend a rainy morning!
Revd Stephanie Mawhinney said, “Bird box making was a huge success, it was really lovely having another activity for the children to do and there was a great buzz with everyone getting involved!”
Ran by volunteers from both the church and the local community, the breakfast club started around seven years ago when a local housing association reached out to St Andrew's, and it is just one of the resources available at the church’s on-site community building. Here, church volunteers also run a food pantry which is used by 40 local families. An invaluable resource for the community, for a charge of just £3 a week users can get between £15 to £40 worth of food and essentials.
That’s not all! Every Monday and Wednesday morning between 10am-12pm St Andrew’s runs an on-site charity shop where you can browse for a bargain, and there is also a drop-in for the elderly every Tuesday afternoon between 1-3pm. This is run in partnership with All Saints' Church, Stand, Whitefield as part of the Anna Chaplaincy, and is a place for elderly people to come and have tea, coffee, cake, games, and a well-needed chat.
All the great things happening at St Andrew's are just a few examples of the events and resources available at churches across the Manchester Diocese. If there is anything going on at your church, or you have any other good news you would like us to share, why not get in touch? Either tag us on Facebook, contact us on Twitter or send us an email at comms@manchester.anglican.org.
