At 8am on Wednesday 13 May, St Mary and St Cuthbert’s in Chester-le-Street hosted a Community Networking Breakfast, bringing together 32 representatives from across the local area alongside a team of 15 church volunteers.
Many guests were visiting the parish centre for the first time and had previously had little connection with the church. Attendees included social entrepreneurs, councillors from three political parties, NHS staff, community police officers, local charities such as the Foodbank, and representatives from different Christian denominations.
The event opened with a welcome from the Revd Matt Strand before Val Barron of Tyne and Wear Citizens led an activity called “Weaving Trust”. Through one-to-one conversations, participants discussed why Chester-le-Street mattered to them, the changes they hoped to see in the town, and why partnership working was important at the current time. Organisers said the room was filled with energy as people formed meaningful new connections.
The breakfast was the result of months of planning and prayer through the church’s involvement in the “Know Your Church, Know Your Neighbourhood” programme. Inspired by the Bible verse Isaiah 54:2 — “Enlarge the place of your tent” — a volunteer team led by Revd Miriam Wakefield and Tessa Conder began meeting in September 2025 to explore how the church could better serve its community.
The process, supported by Maddy Fisher and Claire Estall from Communities Together Durham, encouraged volunteers to prayer walk, consult residents, and reflect on the strengths and needs of the local area. The group identified the church’s welcoming atmosphere and its work with children, young people and community outreach projects as key priorities.
Existing initiatives at the parish centre include warm spaces, a CAP job club, bereavement support, drop-in sessions and litter-picking projects.
Rather than focusing on recruiting volunteers, organisers said they wanted to create stronger links between organisations already working in the community. Surveys and conversations revealed a shared desire among residents and groups to work together for positive change, despite challenges such as limited funding, complex social needs, and feelings of division within the community.
Since the breakfast, the church has begun developing new partnerships, including discussions with the local job centre about possible work placements and support to improve the churchyard.
Following positive feedback from guests and volunteers, another networking breakfast is planned for September. Church leaders said they hope to continue listening to local stories and building partnerships that strengthen the community.
If you know anyone who is connected to Chester-le-Street or would like to attend the next breakfast please contact St Mary and St Cuthbert’s Parish Office.
To find out more about partnering with Communities Together Durham to develop missional work in your own context contact: info@communitiestogetherdurham.org.uk.