I am pleased to say that we are making noticeable headway, both in the increased use of the Community Room and with our aim to reach out into the local community.

We have a number of funding applications in the pipeline and one of these has already been successful! From Friday 2nd of this month, we are starting a FREE after school creative art group for children aged 7-13 in collaboration with the Forest Bus Mobile Community Project. Sarah Elliot, the Art/Craft expert from Forest Bus, will be working alongside myself and student volunteers from Southampton University to provide a positive experience for local youngsters, to raise their self esteem and build confidence.

On Friday 9th I will be representing St Albans at the Multi-Agency Fair held at Cantell School. Again I will be dusting off my didgeridoos and hoping to raise our profile in the local area.

On Tuesday 27th we are holding a Polish information evening, which is being supported by EU Welcome, Burgess Surgery, Surestart and a number of other local agencies. We hope to hold out the hand of Christian friendship to a group of people who are facing a large amount of unfair prejudice and misdirected anger.

Officially this month should be my farewell message (the six months has flown by!).  However I have asked to remain as Community Worker (albeit in a voluntary capacity) and I hope I will be able to donate a few hours each week to pursue funding for future projects and events.

With your support and help, I hope to continue to raise the awareness of St Alban’s (and St Mary’s) in the consciousness of the local community, as a place where things are happening, and where there is something very precious that has the power to transform their lives, i.e. the Christian Faith. 
Stuart Jebbitt 

We’re delighted that Stuart is continuing after his contract ends at the end of March, and hope to secure more funding to support his excellent work developing the Community Room.