Past Projects

Focus on: St Matthew’s Church, East Park

Meet Mike Bannister, Project Development Worker for St. Matthew’s Church in East Park, Wolverhampton. Mike has been employed since May 2006 with a remit to increase the capacity of Church Members through volunteering opportunities and deliver projects from the Church buildings to benefit the community. What he has achieved with the help of his volunteers in six months is phenomenal.

The team started their activities by befriending senior citizens through a weekly visitor programme at nearby residential home, St. Matthew’s Place. Mike had a particular success with a gentleman who had been a recluse for the past 3 years. His health was very poor, suffering frequent diabetic hypoglycaemia attacks. Mike joined the residents on a day trip to Weston Super Mare and that was where they connected.

Making a Real Difference.
Mike says “It was the fact that he had very little male company at the home — all the staff are female. It was important that I had the time to spend with him. He asked if I would come and see him again - naturally I obliged. He now attends the weekly drop in at the church, he has regained his self confidence and his health has improved dramatically, no more hypo’s and his speech & mobility are much better. This is a good example of how a faith group can make a real difference to people’s lives.”    

As a follow on from the Tuesday visitor programme, the residents are then invited to the Church’s weekly Wednesday Senior Citizen’s pop in. They have regular speakers, from Age Concern & Beacon Centre for the Blind amongst others. Mike is working at extending the pop in to 3 days a week, to include crafts & skills classes, and supporting Senior Citizen Link Line Referrals.

Every Thursday the Church plays host to a group from nearby Stowheath Day Centre. Mentally and Physically handicapped people of all ages are brought in to participate in recreational activities away from the daily routine of the Day Centre. They enjoy such activities as football and rounders. The Church volunteers then provide a lunch, followed by a light discussion group in the afternoon.

Day Centre Officer Diane Brookes said, “The Thursday Activity Day is proving invaluable to our service users - they really look forward to the change in their routine. We are only 5 minutes away from the Centre, which means even people from the Special Care Unit can take part, knowing that should a problem occur, such as a seizure, we are only round the corner from the centre.”