Back in September the Homegrown project launched their findings from a year of research listening to the voices of young people, schools and key community partners in Kings Lynn and West Norfolk. At the launch event we heard some of the key findings and recommendations from the report and kickstarted the ecumenical conversations to help form our response. This month we’re hoping to continue those conversations and invite more to hear the findings at our Homegrown Webinar.
HOMEGROWN is a partnership between the local church and its surrounding community, including representatives from the churches of the Lynn and Heacham and Rising Deaneries, Viva (international faith-based community development organisation), the Parish Support Team and West Norfolk County Council.
The heart of HOMEGROWN is to be a gift. A gift to the local church, regardless of size or denomination, through mapping a clear picture of the landscape facing children and young people, and any projects that are already seeking to support them, and a gift to the wider community by encouraging and equipping the church on their doorstep to better respond to their needs.
During 2024/25 we have listened to hundreds of voices – from children in schools, from churches, and from community partners. We have heard both joy and struggle: safe spaces that make a difference, but also stress, isolation, poverty, and challenges that no single group can tackle alone. The report is a compilation of all the voices we have heard over the last year and a reflection of their thoughts and opinions of the church, the communities and their lives.
Read the report here.
The aim of this report is not to demonstrate how many children are in church. It is about recognising that local churches, i.e. groups of like-minded local Christian people, are already part of the community fabric – and asking how multiple groups of churches might work together more confidently, across our area, to better
know and serve children and young people where they are.
Our findings highlight the biggest issues facing young people, where schools and churches see the same concerns, and where the gaps lie. The message is clear: collaboration is essential. Churches have people, long-lasting presence, and trust – but long-term change will only come if we share resources, avoid duplication, and act together.
We offer this report as both a snapshot and a call to action. Its purpose is to:
- Inspire churches to make a difference by working together,
demonstrating a greater expression and public witness of
Christian faith.
- Raise awareness of, and encourage the church to advocate for,
social pressures facing children, young people and families.
- Prompt collaboration for a stronger response around key issues
like family poverty, mental health, and safe youth spaces.
- Facilitate a stronger connection between the church, schools
and the public sector to contribute to borough-wide change
for children, youth and families.
Join the webinar via: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nVSfbkhBRj-O-vTyOTH1cA#/registration
For more information about the project, upcoming events or to find out how else you can get involved, contact Vicki Price: vicki.price@dioceseofnorwich.org
