Church to reach out with new extension

Completion of the work at Community Church Hull, in Newland Avenue, will be celebrated when it is officially opened by Hull MP Diana Johnson on Friday.

Grants from the European Regional Development Fund and the Working Neighbourhoods Fund have seen a new top floor added to the building to accommodate a range of projects.

They include Customize, a new Big Lottery Fund-backed initiative to help 16 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training, for the next three years; the Hull Lighthouse Next Step project which will help vulnerable women develop skills to find work; and the Life Zone family project, which supports families with complex needs.

Next Step student Hilary Marvel said: “I had never been employed and had been through the mental health system several times. I have now passed all numeracy and literacy qualifications on offer, as well as basic food hygiene, basic life support, mental health, first aid and child protection.

“The confidence I have gained from their warm support has helped me to say goodbye to self-harm. I went on to gain a NVQ Level 2 in teaching and learning support.”

Community Church manager Anne Dannerolle added: “This is a fantastic resource and has enabled the growth of a number of projects serving the community, including Rhema Youth Works and the Hull Lighthouse Project.

“Without this extra space, we would never have seen vulnerable women helped into employment, young people coming off the streets, or free support to help people with their debt problems.”

The venue is currently providing temporary offices for a new Foodbank due to be launched in Hull in October.