Warm, Fun and Safe Space for All

Wisewood Methodist Church in Sheffield is offering a warm, fun and safe space for all ages of the local community.

Sue Bagshaw, from the church shares how her and her partner first created a youth group then a warm space thanks to a £500 district grant.

Sue said: “Wisewood Methodist Church, like many in our circuit, has an ageing congregation – at the age of 61, I’m still considered as one of the younger members! Having been prompted on many occasions, my partner and I started a youth group at Wisewood in June 2022 for young people aged 10 – 14 years old.

“We started with two young people with connections to the church and over the 18 months we have been running, we have seen around 50 young people come through our doors. Some have stayed and others have moved on. We now have an average attendance of around 12 young people who come to play pool, basketball, air hockey, table tennis and a variety of board games, along with the opportunity to do some crafts.

“We have a break during which drinks are served and the young people enjoy cakes and biscuits donated by members of the congregation at Wisewood. During the break, we discuss contemporary concerns and the young people are challenged by a Christian perspective on these matters. After the break, we engage the young people in team games when they can let off some steam!! In June last year we celebrated our first birthday by hiring a bungee run – great fun was had by all! We would like to expand and offer these activities to older young people too – but more staff/volunteers and money are needed!

“After this group had been running for about 8 months, I decided that it would be good to open up the hall during the week as a warm space for those within our community wanting to meet with others in a safe, warm space. In February 2023, our warm space chat and games group began. We provide warm drinks and cakes and biscuits, snooker and table tennis along with a selection of board games and there are also newspapers and magazines available to read each week. After a slow start, we now have around 14 people meeting on a regular basis and we are always looking to expand.

“We are open every Tuesday from 1:30pm – 3:30pm – why not come and join us! Although most warm space groups are open during the colder months, those attending were keen to continue to meet, so we’re open all year round, with a short break in the summer.

“Both the youth group and the warm spaces group are staffed by volunteers from the church on a rota basis (with the exception of myself and my partner as we’re there every week!). It has been a great experience welcoming the community into our building, with many opportunities to share beliefs together. Our hope and prayer is that those who come during the week will also come and join us in worship on Sunday mornings.”