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St. Joseph’s RC, Blaydon has entered
into a partnership with St. Cuthbert's Care in developing and providing
community services that will benefit the local community. To be able to do this the church
hall has had to be renovated and the name changed from St. Joseph’s Church Hall
to St. Joseph’s Community
Centre to reflect more fully
the purpose of the hall (however ownership of the hall will still remain with
the trustees of the diocese who are the Bishop and the vicar generals).
St. Cuthbert's Care has chosen St.
Joseph's as one of only 3 community projects it is sponsoring by providing Jane
Percy as our Community Development Worker. The Community Development Worker is
to encourage local community participation and promote individuals /
 groups
to develop essential skills and confidence. The aim is to help these groups to
address the needs of the community in order that they can be self-sufficient
once the Community Development Worker is withdrawn. The Community Development Worker
& Steering Group
is also looking to find funding for a caretaker from such organisations as the
Big Lottery. The amount of time and commitment needed from the
Development worker cannot be overestimated, working to gain the trust of the
local community and encourage people to discover and develop their skills and
interests. They become an effective agent for positive change within the area
whilst fulfilling the aim of the Catholic Church to reach out to all those in
need.
Money for the renovation has come
partly from funding which St. Cuthbert’s Care has secured for us and from the
parish itself. St. Joseph's has had to pledge as a parish that £30,000 will be
spent on the Community Centre over the next 3 years.
Groups who use the Community Centre will pay for the use of the accommodation
and services. This will be payable to St. Joseph's Community Centre Fund to pay
for the running of the Centre.
A steering group has been set up to look after the interests of the Community
Centre.
The Community Centre is available for Baptism, Funeral receptions, Family
Celebrations and Birthday Parties. If you book the centre, call (0191) 4143315
or Fr. Keith on (0191) 4142654.
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