The Pathways Project
The journey of the Pathways Centre started in 2002 when a group of church members got together to talk and pray about how the church could become more involved in the community. After lots of talking and research it soon became apparent we could do nothing without a major refurbishment to the activity rooms at the back of the church. The refurbishment project turned out to be £350,000 worth of changes. God has been incredibly generous by providing a large majority of the money from church attendees but we are also grateful to the funding agencies for grants* and also the local community who have supported our fundraising events. The final touches are now complete and the official opening took place in April of this year.
Initially the projects that will run in the centre are activity based groups such as an art group, craft groups, and support groups for older people. We are also expecting to partner with local community service providers with whom we are presently negotiating.
Existing groups that already run in the church will see their facilities bought up to date and enable them to expand their work. These are Girls' Brigade, Boys' Brigade, Friday Night Cyber Cafe, Gentle exercise class and Tots Club.
At the heart of this project is the opportunity for the church to serve, as Jesus did – unconditionally. Our desire to serve comes from our faith and as such we welcome all regardless of gender, marital status, race ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation of physical and mental capability. We are affiliated to the Faithworks Movement
*We would not have been able to completed our project without the support of the following funders to which we are very grateful:
- East Midlands Baptist Association
- Florence Turner Trust
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- Henry Smith Foundation
- Hickinbotham Charitable Trust
- Hinckley & Rugby Building Society
- Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust
- Lloyds TSB Foundation
- Trusthouse Charitable Foundation
- Transco
- W O Street Foundation
- Veolia Environmental Trust
We are also grateful to Leicestershire Rural Partnership HERS grant for financial help with renovation original windows within our Church Sanctuary. Our youth activities have also benefited from a grant from the Local Network Fund.