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The Paynes
In October 2020 we moved to Cornwall - a tourist hot spot known for it's beautiful views and sandy beaches. Less known is the fact that it is England's poorest county. One in five people here live in poverty, and the unemployment rate is nearly double the national average. We moved to a low income area in Truro, to work with local churches and live alongside those who experience disadvantage. Our aim was to grow accessible expressions of church so that the least reached could find hope in a relationship with Jesus.
Earlier this year we were employed by our local church though the Low Income Community Fund from the Church of England. We have found a supportive and generous church family at Christ Church who have embraced the vision of the Dockyard. Five months in, our team is growing and we are excited by the many opportunities for mission.
Sam is Youth and Families Worker for Powder Deanery (covering Truro, Probus, and the Roseland) and Youth Worker for St Kea Church. In his spare time he coaches the Truro City Youth Under 9 Girls Football Team. Sam is an avid sports fan and golf enthusiast, and has found this a great way to build relationships with local men.
Erica is Community Worker for Powder Deanery. Alongside this work she is supporting Christians to think strategically about mission and contributing to a national think tank for church planting in disadvantaged communities. In September she will begin training as an Ordained Pioneer in the Church of England.
Ibby (Isabel) is an aspiring gymnast with a passion for singing, dancing and theatre. She is currently preparing for a role in Matilda the Musical. We are looking forward to her baptism this summer.
Safe Spaces to Rebuild
The Dockyard Lounge @ The Foodbank
The Dockyard Lounge @ The Foodbank
Shortly after arriving in Truro, a mum from our local school became homeless after a relationship breakdown. We found out she was staying in her car so offered our spare room until she could find a permanent place to live. What we thought would just be a couple of months turned into a year, with other family members (and a dog) joining he
Shortly after arriving in Truro, a mum from our local school became homeless after a relationship breakdown. We found out she was staying in her car so offered our spare room until she could find a permanent place to live. What we thought would just be a couple of months turned into a year, with other family members (and a dog) joining her as well. We discovered a new way to share our lives and what we had with those in need. It was beautiful chaos as we learnt how to do life with another family. Ibby now has found a second mum and 5 new siblings and we are very thankful for their ongoing friendship.
This experience opened our eyes to the housing crisis and the lack of support for people from low income communities. Well over 21,000 people are on the social housing waiting list in Cornwall. Families are moved miles away from their schools and support networks, they are forced to share cramped conditions, and often lack the basics like cooking and washing facilities. Many of the holiday homes, caravans and hotel rooms used as emergency accommodation are not fit for purpose with poor heating and mould covering the walls. This crisis, the ongoing impact of the pandemic, and increases in the cost of living are having detrimental effects on the health and well-being of people around the county.
Through much prayer and discernment with others, a vision was born for The Dockyard. The Dockyard seeks to provide community spaces where people can build trusting relationships, grow resilience and be transformed by the love of Jesus. We believe everyone should have access to a safe place they can call home, healthy relationships and an environment that enables them to thrive and reach their potential. We are bringing local churches together to journey with those facing tough times to find hope for the future.
The Dockyard Lounge @ The Foodbank
The Dockyard Lounge @ The Foodbank
The Dockyard Lounge @ The Foodbank
In December 2022, we launched a community cafe alongside the Foodbank at a local church. A fundraiser in the autumn enabled us to provide free food and drinks as well as Christmas gifts for 25 families. The partnership with the Foodbank has been such a success that we have continued to open our cafe weekly on a Friday morning, offering t
In December 2022, we launched a community cafe alongside the Foodbank at a local church. A fundraiser in the autumn enabled us to provide free food and drinks as well as Christmas gifts for 25 families. The partnership with the Foodbank has been such a success that we have continued to open our cafe weekly on a Friday morning, offering those who are accessing support a hot drink, cake and a listening ear. We have found that when given the opportunity, people feel able to open up about the struggles they are currently facing and really appreciate the hospitality and friendship we offer.
We meet people who feel they are in hopeless situations - parents, carers and disabled people who are unable to work, those struggling with addiction or recovering from a relationship breakdown. We also meet many who are working but low wages means household bills have become unattainable. The Dockyard team pray for those we have met after each session and this past week one of the people in the cafe joined us. He offered to pray and said, 'God, I've never really done this before but I ask that you give The Dockyard team all they need, look after them and help them to continue providing this support for me and many others who come into the cafe like me.'
We are seeking a permanent venue in the city that will enable us to open a community space on a daily basis and expand the services we are able to provide. Our hope is that it becomes a place shaped by the community - where we recognise that we all are in need and we all need each other.
Housing
Trelander Estate
Trelander Estate
We loved living in community with another family but our house was not set up for communal living. As their family expanded they sadly had to move on to emergency accommodation. After six months of knocking through walls, building new ones, and a lot of painting, we are ready to welcome a small family to join us again. This will be a pil
We loved living in community with another family but our house was not set up for communal living. As their family expanded they sadly had to move on to emergency accommodation. After six months of knocking through walls, building new ones, and a lot of painting, we are ready to welcome a small family to join us again. This will be a pilot for a scheme which supports Christians to open their homes to families in need across Cornwall.
We would love to work alongside churches in order to come up with a long term solution to this very serious issue that is negatively impacting the lives of so many.
Trelander Estate
Trelander Estate
Trelander Estate
Trelander is one of the low-income estates in the city of Truro. Children and young people here are in the top 5% most deprived in the country. Through our work funded by the Church of England's Low Income Community Fund, we identified Trelander as a community with many missional opportunities and a high level of need.
We launched our work
Trelander is one of the low-income estates in the city of Truro. Children and young people here are in the top 5% most deprived in the country. Through our work funded by the Church of England's Low Income Community Fund, we identified Trelander as a community with many missional opportunities and a high level of need.
We launched our work in Trelander over Easter with a family fun event in partnership with the local Anglican and Baptist churches. All ages had a great time enjoying bacon baps, Easter crafts, family bingo and a lot of chocolate.
Over the past few months, Sam has built positive relationships with the primary school. With nearly half of their students from a low income home, they were grateful for the extra support. Sam has begun an after school alternative sports session and mentoring with three students to support their engagement with school.
Sam is also working with the Trelander Community Hall Association and together they are building a team for an open access youth club. There is so much work to be done but it has been difficult to recruit a team. Please join us in praying for people with the skills and passion to create a safe a nurturing environment for the young people there.
Prayer Requests
Individuals and Families
- Pray for families dependent on the Foodbank to find the relationships and resources needed to thrive
- Pray for two 18 year old lads being discipled by Sam. They are new to faith and wanting to share it with their friends
- Pray for a family of seven who are vulnerably housed in need of safe accommodation
Safe Spaces
- Pray for a permanent city centre cafe for community building, discipleship and holistic support
- Pray for the right family to join us in our home this summer
- Thank God for partnerships with churches in Truro that are enabling us to develop mission to low income communities
Trelander Estate
- Thank God for positive relationships with local schools, community association and families
- Pray for the recruitment of a youth work team
- Pray as we plan for family fun events and a holiday club later this year