Bishop Ruth recently (17 June) joined Safe Families to mark their five-year anniversary working with the local authority in Somerset in a service at Taunton Minster. They are also holding an online information evening on Thursday, 22 June at 19:30 for anyone interested in hearing more about the charity’s work.
The inspirational evening was wonderful opportunity to thank God for all the charity has been able to do over the last five years and pray for that work to continue.
Bishop Ruth spoke at the service and urged everyone present, who included Deputy Mayor Vanessa Garside and a number of local councillors, to carry one another’s burdens and ease the load for those who were struggling.
Andy Levett, Go Team Adviser for the Diocese of Bath and Wells attended the service and said, “What an encouraging and inspiring evening. It was great to hear more about the brilliant work Safe Families are doing through their volunteers, and to celebrate with them.”
Safe Families is a national Christian charity working with Local Authorities to support isolated and struggling families in need of emotional and practical support. They believe that everyone deserves to belong, so through the work of volunteers, backed up by prayer partners and financial supporters, they provide families with the friendship, love and connection they need to help them get back on their feet.
The congregation also heard from volunteers, families and church leaders sharing the impact that Safe Families has had on their lives and ministry. They heard how two parents and their little girl, feeling isolated and trapped in their home by anxiety, were able to find hope and belonging thanks to a volunteer who connected them with the local church Toddler group and men's skittles team and now have a loving community around them. Also heard from the volunteer who helped them and shared that she had benefited as much from the support as they did, as she herself had been feeling lonely and in need of connection.
In their five years working with the Local Authority in Somerset they’ve helped over 570 children from 250 families.
The online information at 19:30 on Thursday, 22 June is open to anyone who couldn’t make the service or who would like more information about being part of the work of Safe Families.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82753349883?pwd=Sk84VWQrM1l1Y0M0OWp6eTRJTTNlUT09
Meeting ID: 827 5334 9883
Passcode: 543896
You are also welcome to contact Lauren from Safe Families on 07771 453209 or email laurenjewhurst@safefamilies.uk for an informal chat.
