Community Church moves to Drake Street

The new Well Community Church set-up at the Lib Dem HQ

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Rochdale's Well Community Church recently moved its meeting place from the Broadfield Hotel to the Rochdale Liberal Democrat headquarters. The Church, led by Iain and Margaret Wight, held its first meeting on Drake Street last Sunday, 17 June, and will continue to congregate there for the foreseeable future. The Church is recognised in Rochdale for its excellent community work, particularly with the Jericho 'ReBuild' project that helps unemployed men make a fresh start in life.

The Church are hoping that by moving to the Lib Dem HQ they will become more actively involved with the community of Rochdale by hopefully working with councillors and council officials.

Church leader Ian Wight said: "Because of links developed through the ReBuild Project, some rooms at the Liberal Democrat HQ on Drake Street have been made generously available to us. Everyone, particularly Sir Cyril Smith, has been very welcoming and helpful, and we held our first church meeting there on the 17th.

"We have a suite of rooms, and a kitchen, so we can offer you God's presence and a hot cuppa, as well as a friendly, welcoming atmosphere."

The ReBuild Project aims to help young people who are classified by government as the NEET group (not in education, employment or training), to become qualified in Construction Industry skills, but with high levels of personal development and one to one mentoring. The project is part of a Christian Charity called Jericho Community Projects, based in Birmingham. Jericho Rochdale is now in existence, and its first project is The ReBuild Project.

Mr Wight said: "This project is certainly meeting a need in Rochdale, and in this our ‘pilot’ year, we have helped at least 8 such men to make significant steps towards a new independent life, taking their place in the workplace or in training. Although it is a young project, it has attracted the attention of many agencies working with our client group, and the support and encouragement of a number of local councillors, and our MP Paul Rowen."

Paul Rowen MP welcomed the Church's move to Drake Street and commended the Church's relationship with the ReBuild Project. He said: "We encourage community groups to use the facilities we have here at Drake Street. The Well Community Church are especially welcome for the excellent work for the young people of this Borough.

"I had the pleasure of opening the Rebuild Project led by the Church based in Castleton in January. The Rebuild Project do an excellent job led by Ian Wight and Helen Munro and their team, supported by the Learning Skills Council and the Jericho Community Project.

"I recently wrote an Early Day Motion (EDM), that has proved very popular amongst MPs, congratulating the ReBuild Project and their work that makes such a difference to so many young people's lives. The Rebuild Project gives a second chance to many young people in this Borough and for this we are eternally grateful."