New drop-in centre in Gorleston

The centre at St Mary Magdalene in Gorleston was opened by Tony Mallion

A new venture by St Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Gorleston looks to serve the local community with help and advice.

A drop-in centre called The Bridge has opened at the parish after consultation with Gorleston Baptist Church.

"Suddenly the whole thing fell into place," said Reverend Linda Ricketts from St Mary Magdalene.

The centre will be open every Tuesday from 11.30am - 2.30pm at St Mary Magdalene Church on Nuffield Crescent.

The centre, which will provide a free lunch and advice and support for those in need, came to fruition after the drop in centre at the local Baptist church was overwhelmed with people from St Mary Magdalene's patch.

"It was a complicated process. We wanted to offer a free Christmas meal for people on the local estates. There are many people by themselves so we did it at Christmas 2006 and 2007," said Mrs Ricketts.

"We were then looking in our newly refurbished church hall to start a luncheon club and in the process of doing this I went to visit Gorleston Baptist Church, which has a drop-in centre two days a week called Contact 2000," she added.

The Baptist church saw two distinct groups of people attend its centre - the elderly, whose main reason for dropping in was to find company, and those who were simply too poor to afford a main meal or needed support.

"When I went to see Liz Townson [Deacon of Gorleston Baptist Church] she said to me, 'These groups of people are off of your estate.' We then realised it wasn't a luncheon club we needed, but a drop-in centre," said Mrs Ricketts.

Range of services

The new centre is looking to host a range of services to help the local community in Gorleston.

"Apart from the company and a listening ear, we shall also be offering people help with filling in forms, acting as a signposting service and we will also have a computer so that we can get information online for them," said Mrs Ricketts.

St Mary Magdalene is hoping it can reach out to the local community

"We also have a room available, which we will be using for art and craft and playing games, but also for carers to drop in.

"We'll be inviting agencies too to come in to talk to people to give advice on debt, budgeting, things like that," she added.

Having its grand opening at the parish on Tuesday, 22 September, 2009, the centre is open every Tuesday and is planning to expand its service in the future.

"At present it will be open every Tuesday, 11.30am to 2.30pm," said Mrs Ricketts.

"We received money from the diocese and from Grassroots Grants, but we have also received £43,000 from The Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

"From the beginning of 2010, we will be open two days a week from 10.30pm to 4.30pm," she added.

The Bridge is open every Tuesday, 11.30am to 2.30pm, at St Magdalene Church in Gorleston.

Volunteers are needed to help run the centre and training will be given. For more information, call Reverend Linda Ricketts on 01493 661741.