A Sunday afternoon social group at Christ Church in Matchborough, Redditch is helping to bring people together and combat isolation. Fundays on Sundays is aimed at families and offers food, refreshments and lots of opportunities for family fun, including board games, crafts, imaginative play, table tennis and group activities.
The idea was developed by the DCC and came from the ‘warm spaces’ call to action. It is run by a lay team from 3-5pm every Sunday between January and March and then monthly throughout the rest of the year.
Alix who helps out said: “A lot of families who have lived in Redditch all their lives visit other family members on Sunday afternoons. This has become a group for people that don’t have family nearby, but they do have each other! It’s a group that represents lots of different nationalities and its grown to be a really friendly and supportive community. She
added: “Fundays on Sundays is primarily a social group, aiming to build connection between members and a provide a supportive network to help families, particularly through the darkest months of the year.”
Auguscina has been a part of the group since it started. She said: “It’s great here. It brings everyone together and I know my children are entertained and happy. I can have a chat while they’re playing.” Monika said: “My daughter was so shy when we first started coming here. She used to cling to me. Now she’s off running round with the other children. She’s only four so we’ve not joined the main congregation yet, but I know when we do, she’ll be fine as she’ll already know so many children there.”
Dez who also helps with the group, said: “While the primary aim of the group is social, it presents opportunities to check-in with people and see if they would appreciate any prayers. We have had families whose curiosity for church has grown from here, they’ve 
become Christians and joined our main congregation”
“It’s great that this group has meant that the Dads have all got to know each other as well and that has led to other men’s activities being held, to build a stronger sense of connection in the local community and improve mental health. We recently held a men’s prayer breakfast here for example.”
Asif who now attends regularly with his wife and three children said: “It’s great to sit together, chat and catch up with the other parents, and it gets my children away from their phones and other screens.”
His daughter who is eight years old added: “I really enjoy coming. It’s lot of fun!”
Christ Church Matchborough is part of the Ipsley Benefice and also the Redditch Mission Area (RMA) working closely with 11 other churches to create a healthier and more sustainable future, with support from the Healthier Churches Fund. Find out more here: https://cofe-redditch.org.uk/worship-centres/
