Royal honour for Fife church in recognition of mission outreach projects

A Church mission outreach service in Fife that has helped more than 1,000 families and individuals since opening has been honoured with The King's Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS).

The Hope Chest Community Support Project and Wellesley Centre, run by Wellesley Parish Church in Methil, received what is the highest recognition a local voluntary organisation can be given in the UK, equivalent to an MBE.

The accolade is a major feather in the cap for the more than 80 volunteers who run the life-enhancing projects.

They dedicate their spare time supporting people less fortunate than themselves in the name of Jesus Christ, whose greatest commandment is "Love your neighbour as yourself."

Reacting to the announcement today, Wellesley Parish Church minister, Rev Gillian Paterson, said: "It is with huge gratitude and excitement that we accept this incredible award for the large team who make up the Wellesley family.

"They give a huge amount of their time, skills and talents, and they are changing people's lives for the better through the work they do."

Mission outreach

Wellesley Parish Church is a Priority Area congregation – a parish which sits within the 5% most deprived rankings in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD).

The genesis of the projects can be traced back to 2012 when the congregation's kirk session unveiled a vision to build a seven-day-a-week, flexible, multi-purpose building to serve the parish.

Located next to the church building and original hall, the Wellesley Centre cost £1.2 million and was formally opened in June 2022

The congregation's vision was that the building would be available to the community, meeting the needs of all ages, abilities, and interests, and provide low cost or free activities, events and support.

At the same time as the Wellesley Centre opened, the Hope Chest Community Support Project was launched in the church hall.

Open five days per week, it features a showroom full of donated goods, clothing, furniture, household goods, DVD's, toys and numerous other items.

Project leaders work with over 40 referring agencies to provide what people need on a referral basis, meaning that they get anything they need for free.

Gillian said: "We have helped over 1,000 families and individuals in the last four and half years.

"The items in the showroom are sold at low prices and this helps the whole community.

"One lady managed to buy her whole outfit for her granddaughter's wedding this summer, including the hat, and all for about £50.

"This is our main mission project, and meets the need of a deprived community, but in return the community's generosity to this project is immense and deeply appreciated."

Community heart

The Wellesley Centre offers activities and support for all ages, with volunteers at the heart of its work.

Bibs and Burps and Little Stars welcome babies and toddlers up to two years old, providing food and drinks for accompanying adults.

Methil Parent and Toddler Group meets twice weekly and activities on Thursdays - Kidzone, Youthzone and Supermix Zone - attract over 70 children for crafts, games, singing, activities and hot food.

Teenagers also undertake recycling projects to help local homeless people.

For older people experiencing isolation, Connect offers singing, dancing, entertainment and refreshments.

The Rainbow Group supports people with dementia and their carers, while Knit and Natter provides opportunities for creativity and conversation.

Bereavement support includes Richmond's Hope Fife, Bananie's Chat Club offers women facing difficulties a listening ear, companionship and laughter and Andy's Man Club provides mental health support.

The Wellesley Centre hosts a café three days a week with volunteers preparing and serving affordable, home-cooked breakfasts and lunches. It operates a "Pay It Forward" scheme to help others access meals.

The team maintains commercial catering standards and provides funeral teas, food nights and other popular events.

Gillian said: "The most important part of the Wellesley Centre and the Hope Chest projects is that there is a kind, listening ear, a cuppa, and time to chat for anyone who walks through our doors.

"There will always be someone ready to listen, and that is the part that means we are at the heart of this welcoming and generous community."

Great honour

The minister paid tribute to the volunteers who have had a positive impact on her own life.

"I could not be more delighted for every one of our volunteers past and present who have made these projects what they are today," she added.

"It is my privilege to work with them, I have learned a lot from such dedicated and committed people who are making a difference in a community that has had really tough times for the last 50 years with employment disappearing and hope in the future deteriorating.

"Yet, by working together there's a positive future ahead, and I thank every single volunteer for all that they do.

"This award is a great honour and belongs to every single one of them."

The mission project will receive a domed glass crystal award, a signed certificate from His Majesty King Charles and an invitation for up to two representatives to attend a royal garden party.