Boost for church-run project  

The varied work of a church-run project has received funding from an international pharmaceutical company.

Pfizer has donated £500 to support the work of The King’s Project and Parish Nurse in Mildenhall, Suffolk. Kings Project is a community service run by Kings Church (formerly Mildenhall Baptist Church).

Minister and coordinator of the Project the Revd Tim Bright explained how how it had grown from offering debt counselling and a foodbank after being set up four years ago.

'We had no idea that in so short a time it would have extended to so many different areas,' he said. 'We now have Doorway, a meeting place for parents to share and advise on the problems they face.

'There are twice weekly open door sessions for pastoral care, offering support, guidance and a prayer of encouragement; a regular mental health care service; a weekly lunch club with over 30 regular attenders, growing all the time. Alongside that, we also host a weekly meeting of the local branch of Narcotics Anonymous. We are truly grateful for Pfizer’s recognition of the valuable service that King’s Project offers to the local community.'

Parish Nurse Jessica Pitt is based in the project. She holds a weekly walk in clinic, and Pebbles, a social group for people who have experienced mental health illness. She also supervises a team of Parish Nurse Volunteers who are able to provide additional contact with those in need.

She says, 'Thank you, Pfizer, for this valuable funding, which will enable the team to gain additional knowledge, and provide ongoing training, including First Aid. This money will enable the service given to be relevant, and provide more informed support and assistance to our clients.'

Foodbank coordinator, Chrissie Slack, reported the project had helped nearly 2000 families in food poverty.

'We had no idea that this need was so widespread in such a small town and the surrounding villages. The problems they have are varied, from delays in receiving benefit claims, sudden unplanned expenditure, unemployment and ill health all placing demands on limited resources.

'King’s Project has had a terrific impact on the community, and Pfizer’s interest and help gives us fresh impetus to make our work the most effective and all-encompassing it can be for Mildenhall, and all its residents.”



Photograph caption:

Chrissie Slack (left) and Jessica Pitt (centre) receive the cheque on behalf of Kings Project from Eric Normington of Pfizer.