Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are harmful to our health (Holt-Lunstad, 2015). The activities and events that take place in our building have a positive impact on people’s lives by connecting them with each other in both formal and informal groups. We have a number of church-based activities open to the community, including Table Tennis, Running groups, Knit and Knatter and coffee mornings that connect people and build relationships that help to combat social isolation and loneliness. we also run youth groups, parenting courses and open the church to those who would otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. We will shortly be starting a Story Sack Project run by a speech and language therapist to encourage parents to read with their children. The building is also used by statutory groups and charities to provide more formal support to parents and families and connect people with useful information services.

What we'll deliver:

• Refurbish our toilet facilities
• Build a new disabled toilet to make groups more accessible to those with specific needs
• Improve our baby change facilities to make life easier for parents and carers of young children

Why it's a great idea:

Whilst almost a fifth of the population say they are always or often lonely almost two thirds feel uncomfortable admitting to it (British Red Cross and Co-Op, 2016).Provising these activities in a community hub allow people to connect with others without having to be seen as being lonely. The activities and events that take place in our building have a positive impact on people’s lives by connecting them with each other in both formal and informal groups, helping to combat loneliness and social isolation. We have a strong focus on families, running our won projects and providing space for external projects that improve the mental health and well-being of parents of young children. Improving our toilet facilities will both provide a better environment for these activities to take place and by remodelling, will allow more of these activities to take place at the same time

Steps to get it done:

• Refurbish the toilets