Syke Connexion raising money for new facilities to benefit local community

A community church in Syke is raising money to build new facilities after the coronavirus pandemic halted funding.

Syke Connexion – a unique partnership between Syke Methodist Church and charity, Syke Community Base – is currently refurbishing the building to double capacity and increase the number of activities on offer.

Syke Connexion now has up to 350 people from all faiths attending a wide range of activities each week.

Part of Rochdale & Littleborough Methodist Circuit, the church congregation made the decision five years ago to become a community church as an alternative option to likely closure.

To date, the church has had the roof fixed, heating, a new kitchen and external rendering.

The current project is to remove the tiered pews on the first floor - as the pews are fixed, access is limited for people with poor mobility. As a result, only the ground floor can be used, but this in itself feels like a cramped room due to a number of structural designs including a false ceiling.

Works are already underway to remove the pews, raise the floor of the first floor, remove the false ceiling on the ground floor, add a lift to the first floor and create a new entrance area.

 

 

 

The church also needs a disabled access ramp, updated toilet facilities, and internal lifting platform, requiring around £20,000 to complete. A fundraiser has been set up to help reach the target; £872 has so far been donated.

After the outbreak of Covid-19, the church’s architect was furloughed, they had no builders’ quotes and some of their funding pledges were nearing their end dates.

Reverend Helen Johnson, of Syke Methodist Church, said: “One way or another, we will complete our plans to make the building in Syke fit for our community.”

John Whittle, fundraiser for the church, said: “Syke is a very deprived area and we have a number of isolated older people. Over the last five years we have also seen an increase in young families and families from different ethnic backgrounds joining our community.

“Issues with public transport make it a difficult journey into the centre of Rochdale to reach basic amenities, which may be physically and financially prohibitive for elderly people and struggling families with children.

“Through our work and surveys, local people tell us they want services for parents, for youth, for the over 50s, to help with loneliness, for help with employment skills, cookery, finance.”

Sheila Acton, chair of the Syke Community Base board, added: “Work with the more vulnerable during the pandemic has demonstrated that the issues facing many local people have only got worse.”

John added: “The partnership between the church and Syke Community Base is brilliant and unique and this is a real community.

“I take my hat off to Sheila Acton, she’s an absolute star.”

To donate, please visit:

• www.gofundme.com/f/disabled-access-for-community-centre