This month, Senior Connector Barrie Voyce interviews Sonya Newton, Pioneer Minister in Gloucester Centre of Mission, who has become a regular at The Lighthouse Family Hub in Linden.
“Recently the Hub has changed management and focus, as part of the county council’s One Plan vision,” Sonya says.
“The hub is now open access, and local people are encouraged to see it as a one-stop place to access a wide range of services and support. They also guide families to other helpful organisations when needed. I popped in to meet the new staff and they said they’d really like a coffee drop-in once a week, and I thought ‘I could do that’.”
Each week Sonya meets parents from around the area for coffee and a chat in the centre. Some of the regulars were already known to her from the community, but others have been introduced by the Family Hub staff.
“I think they appreciate a bit of peace and quiet in hectic lives,” reflects Sonya, “and the opportunity to chat to other people and give each other support too.”
Once the children come out of the next door school, the session gets a bit louder, and Sonya provides art and craft activities to keep everyone occupied over a cup of tea and some fruit.
“Some of the people have started bringing their recycling along so we have plenty of materials! One or two of them are volunteering and becoming leaders.”
Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, who runs the centre, understand that Sonya is there as part of her ministry to the community.
“I always wear my collar – so everyone knows I’m the vicar!,” she laughs, “and a few of the group have started to come to my house one evening to learn more about Jesus. I don’t ever compromise being a Christian.”
With the school holidays looming, the sessions will continue every week, but with more focus on the whole family, with things for everyone to do, and space to sit and chat.
Gloucestershire County Council has 16 family hubs across the county, all positioned in areas of high deprivation and need. There are opportunities for those parishes where the hubs are to be a blessing to them just like Sonya is in Linden. Churches can offer themselves as chaplains in those spaces, and to pray for the families and the staff working there.
Secondly, the council is very aware that there are great swathes of the population distant from these hubs and that the church is unique in that we have a venue in every community. What could it mean for our churches to fill some of those gaps? How can our toddler groups, after-school activities, youth clubs, and congregations be a signpost to the family hub services?
News Hub
Hello is Sonya support the Hub?
In friendship
Sandie Foster