St Marks Warm & Welcoming Space Repair

To replace the current condemned gas boiler within the building to enable heating to the main body of the church for the newly created community outreach work as well as worship, celebrations and music festivals. Within the main church area, and communal cafe area play groups, lunch clubs, and mother & toddler are weekly users and local children from disadvantaged families, regularly come to the cafe and church for an evening meal.
The Friends & church groups were about to start the autumn/winter Warm & Safe Welcome Space once again for those who struggle with their heating bills and the socially isolated or on low incomes. These peoples can relax and enjoy socialising with others whilst having a light lunch and unlimited hot drinks when the boiler broke. This project is now on hold until we get the new boiler
We are also looking at opening a Dementia Friendly café on a monthly basis and a new weekly mother and toddler group due to demand.
As well as the community work, worship and celebrations within the building, the church is used by Thornaby Town Council for civic events such as voting, Remembrance events and the Battle of Britain day which was attended by over 250 people.
The local Church of England primary school and Bader Primary school both use church for special events like their Christmas Carol services and end of year leavers services.
We are also seeing an increase in the number of baptisms and funerals being booked which really require the church to be heated.