St Oswald’s Church in South Shields has been awarded £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to support its work tackling loneliness and bringing people together.
The grant will fund a new community kitchen in the church hall, strengthening an already valued outreach programme.
Fr Keith Walker said;
“The new kitchen will help us continue to bring people together, offering not just a meal, but companionship, dignity and a real sense of belonging for those in our community who may otherwise feel isolated.”
Monthly social gatherings for older and socially isolated members of the community began as a simple initiative and has grown steadily, welcoming not only parishioners but others from the surrounding area who value the opportunity to meet, connect, and spend time together in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Patricia Alexander from St Oswald’s said:
“We’ve seen just how important these afternoons have become. People tell us they now have something to look forward to, that they’ve made new friends, and that it gives them a reason to get out of the house. For some, it’s the only time they see others during the week.”
The gatherings have also created meaningful connections across generations, with children from St Oswald’s Primary School choir visiting to sing and spend time listening to guests’ stories.
The improved facilities will also make the church hall more accessible to other local groups, helping to extend support even further across the parish. A dedicated team of volunteers is already in place and ready to undertake the necessary training to bring the project to life.
Patricia added;
“We’re really looking forward to building on what we’ve started and reaching more people who may benefit from a warm welcome and a sense of belonging.”
