Active Projects
International Meeting Place
Every Friday evening, from 7 - 9 p.m., Starbucks coffee shop in Tonbridge High Street is abuzz with lively conversation. Anyone in the area whose first language is not English is offered a free coffee and a chance to meet a team of local hosts. It's branched into exciting weekend activities like climbing (on Tonbridge School's brilliant new climbing wall) and sports, and there are occasional visits to London and other nearby attractions. To join the host team for this thriving project email Alex Bonarius alexbonarius@yahoo.co.uk or ring him via Tonbridge Baptist Church 01732 352824.
Healing on the Streets
Walk down Tonbridge High Street between 10 and 12 on a Saturday morning and right in front of the Castle you will see a large banner. In front of the banner is a courageous group of volunteers who will pray, out in the open but in complete confidence, and in all weathers, with anyone who asks for prayer for themselves or their friends and family. There are wonderful testimonies of the amazing things God is doing week by week for those who receive prayer. To join the team, email Paul Turner paul.turner@ststephenstonbridge.org or ring him via St Stephen's Church 01732 771977. More ...
Parents Plus
PARENTS PLUS offer practical and emotional support for mothers, fathers and carers who might be having problems or difficulties. We’re not teachers, health visitors or social workers but we are parents and chances are we’ve got a good idea how tough bringing up children can be at times. We offer parents, whatever the age, needs, background or circumstances of their children:
One-to-one support: We visit mothers and fathers, at home if they prefer, listening and helping them to focus on solutions and find ways of coping when things are difficult;
Signposting: We help to identify the support, services or activities which are right for each family, putting them in touch if that helps;
Parenting Groups: Drop-ins, parenting courses and workshops help share parenting skills and the parenting experience in useful and structured ways.
We have opportunities to support local families in many ways including through home visits, at drop-ins or even online or by telephone. If interested please call Mick Haselden on 01732 808448 or email mick@parentsplus.org.uk.
Teremok
This play group for Russian mothers and toddlers has been running for two years. It meets at 10.30 on Fridays at the Children's Centre in the grounds of Longmead School. A spin-off group, for mothers with school-age children started in September 2009, and meets in Christ Church, Tonbridge High Street, on Saturday mornings. Both these groups would benefit from more support/ assistance (no need to speak Russian!). To join or to help host, email Olga Moffett olga@themoffetts.co.uk or ring her via Tonbridge Baptist Church 01732 352824. More ...
Bible Stories in Primary Schools
During the lunch break once a week at Cage Green School, with the agreement of the Headteacher, Helen Tunstall, a member of Tonbr idge Baptist Church, reads Bible stories to a group of children. Could this happen in a school near you? Approaches are being made to other schools. Helen would be pleased to discuss this project with anyone interested and can be contacted through the TBC Church Office on 01732 352824.
CATCH (Community Action by Tonbridge CHurches)
Join a team to help those who can't help themselves, including decorating, cleaning, shopping, gardening and home assistance. Recent plans are to widen this to conversational visits, reading to the unsighted or partially sighted, etc. Interested in volunteering? Especially young people, email Paul Meunier pmeunier@tiscali.co.uk or ring him on 01732 352401. More ...
Catering Workshop (For ages 10-17: sign up now!)
A fantastic chance for young people to learn the basic skills of food hygiene and cookery, in a group limited to 15 in number. But open only to those aged 10-17 inclusive. Sign up now by emailing Chris Hartley chris.hartley@sky.com or ring him on 01732 365490. More ...
Projects in Planning
Community Service Supervision
Many offenders given community service orders have to wait ages to serve them because of a critical shortage of trained supervisors. The training is available for a HOPE group of volunteer trainees. Can you help? Email George Gilbart-Smith georgegs@talktalk.net or ring him on 01732 354472.
Commercial Survey (Volunteers sign up now)
Visit shops, cafes, offices and other employment centres in central Tonbridge to let businesses know the churches care for them and, amongst other things, gauge potential demand for mid-week services. More ...
Street Pastors
There are several places in Tonbridge, particularly Tonbridge Station on a Saturday evening, where people easily get into trouble, and where a caring Christian presence could make a real difference. In many other towns, Christians help drunk young people home, man a soup kitchen for the cold and hungry, run courses for vulnerable children and teenage or single parents, or assist in other practical ways. Plans are under way, not under the direct auspices of HOPE, for us to do the same in Tonbridge. If interested, email The Rev'd Jim Thorneycroft jimthornbth@btconnect.com or ring him via Christ Church on 01732 770334.