"Love Stechford and Kitts Green" is a vision for an inclusive Methodist presence in the local community, in the Birmingham Circuit. The area is in the 10% most deprived wards in the country, and there are a number of key issues, including food poverty, mental health, and a lack of community space. The project will be embedded in the local community, and will seek to address these issues by working with other churches and organizations. It will also be evangelistic, inviting people on a journey of discovery.
The project is split into two phases. The first phase will focus on building relationships and developing a clear vision. The second phase will see the project launch, with a weekly gathering and a committed membership of 40+ people. The project will measure its success by two main metrics:
Impact on the lives: stories of transformation and self-reported growth.
Impact on the life of local community: The project will look at how its activity addresses the key issues identified earlier.
The project is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of people in Stechford and Kitts Green.
A conversation with local residents revealed that they felt the new leisure centre was "not a place for people like us." This suggests that there is a need for a community space that is welcoming and inclusive. The project team has been meeting with community stakeholders and interested individuals to discern the shared vision. This is an important step in building relationships and creating a sense of ownership for the project. The project team is committed to working with other churches and organizations in the area. This will help to maximize the impact of the project and build a more cohesive community.