Shrewsbury church opens new base to host major food bank and support project
A Shrewsbury church has finally been able to officially open a new facility which will host a food bank and a range of support services.
The Base at Barnabus Church Centre was formally opened by the county's Lord Lieutenant, Anna Turner.
It had been due to open in January but the increase in Covid cases and the third national lockdown meant it had to be cancelled.
'The Base' will host Shrewsbury's Foodbank Plus, an all-encompassing initiative providing a variety of support – not just food – to those who need it.
The pandemic has not been the only challenge facing the church and the food bank, with the building, at Longden Coleham, twice being flooded in February last year.
As well as Foodbank Plus, The Base will also be the new entrance for everything that takes place at the centre – for the church services restarting after lockdown ends in June, the venue for youth events, evening events and community initiatives that take place during the week.
Mrs Turner said she was thrilled to see the resilience shown by the centre, and how it is helping people.
Revamped
"I have been delighted to visit and open The Base today in order to witness with my own eyes the totally revamped facilities," she said.
"All this work has taken resilience to the limit and only been possible with the absolute dedication of an amazing team of exceptional people who have been totally committed and determined to keep their community base and spirit alive.
"I should have known a little bit of water glugging several feet up the walls was not going to defeat The Barnabas Community Church Centre and they would fight back to open the doors to everyone."
Church leader Dave Matthias said: "We have taken the challenges presented by the flooding as a real opportunity to redevelop and reshape the building so it is ready to be used in a whole new way, and to make it open and friendly.
"We are so looking forward to the church being able to meet properly again, and to kickstart the midweek programme of events and projects."
Karen Williams, Foodbank Plus project lead, said: "The Base is an open, light and airy space for us to deliver all our services through Foodbank Plus.
"Having trialled using it over the last couple of weeks all of the clients and colleagues have said what a lovely space it is, calm and welcoming.
"It will be great when we can serve tea and coffee and make it a really social space too, to welcome everyone from the community."
