St Mark's a Church in Action

St. Mark’s Church Community Centre is a focus for the community life of Brickhill and North Bedford and a resource for community groups and individuals to enable the development of their potential. We work alongside other agencies, statutory bodies and charities to offer a partnership approach to community needs. We try to provide an efficient well managed suite of premises, conforming to the highest standards of health and safety. Our aim to provide a welcoming and safe environment is supported by regular monitoring and evaluation of those who use our services.

Facts
Currently over 45 voluntary and charitable groups use the Community Centre on a regular basis, over 150 volunteers are engaged in helping with projects, over 300 children under 11 use the building each week, 92 young people are involved in youth groups each week, 1,478 people come to the Centre every week.

Volunteers
We currently co-ordinate in excess of 150 volunteers to resource our work Training programmes and support for these volunteers is always a priority and we are committed to Equal Opportunities for all of our volunteers as well as users of the Centre. If you would like the opportunity to volunteer and be involved in supporting the work of the Church Community Centre, please contact our Centre Manager, Miss Wendy Rider.

Click on thumbnail for full size picture	Going Up!! At St Mark's Church Community Centre The Bedford Charity the Harpur Trust have kindly made a grant award to St Mark's Church Community Centre which has paid for the installation of a lift in the new community Centre. The picture shows The Reverend Charles Royden with Wendy Rider MBE the community Centre Manager, in the new lift
	The Elderly St Mark’s provides various groups throughout the week which are especially suitable for the elderly. There provide a place to meet and talk to friends.
	Bedfordshire Police The local police have an office situated in the Centre and hold regular surgeries throughout the week in the Centre to meet with the public.
	Brickhill Parish Council Our Centre is home to the Brickhill Parish Council, and Parish Council meetings take place regularly. The Parish Clerk will regularly use the centre for meeting with members of the community.
	St Mark’s Clubhouse St. Mark’s has always made special provision for working with people with disabilities. In 2005 we were awarded European Social Funding to operate Clubhouse. This provides services and training for adults with learning disabilities who are disadvantaged in the labour market. It is a place to meet friends, with meals, refreshments and activities available throughout the day.
	Landfill Tax national winners St Mark's have received £125,000 prize as one of five finalists in the £1 million Waste Recycling Group Village Hall & Community Centre Challenge 2005   The money comes from the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme money of Waste Recycling Group distributed by Environmental Body WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd) Read a copy of the press release
	This picture shows the chapel at St Mark's, please click the link to learn more
	Religious Resources Centre.   St Mark's has recently become the home for St Albans Diocesan Religious Studies Resources. Books, videos, artefacts and other religious materials are available for use in teaching religious studies.  The resources are stored in our chapel and are available for viewing and borrowing weekdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm.

Some of the activities taking place at St Mark's Church Community Centre

Autism Bedfordshire
The offices of Autism Bedfordshire are located at St Mark’s, providing services to individuals and families across Bedfordshire.

Community Groups
Many local charities use our facilities for counselling, courses and training events, including MacMIllan Nurses. There are numerous clubs and societies taking place weekly from Sugarcraft to Weightwatchers and the Centre is often first choice by groups who appreciate our high standards of provision.

Health Clinics
St Mark’s is home to the health authority clinic for mothers and babies. There is also the fledglings group for mums and babies under 6 months. We are also pleased to welcome local GP’s who hold day surgeries to provide health checks and injections.

Youth and Children’s Groups
There is a programme of activities for family groups and the young. St Mark’s own pre-school operates each day and our Parent Toddler group meets each Thursday afternoon at 1.00pm. There is youth work on three evenings every week and also a Child-minders support group every week. Other groups such as children’s chess take place regularly.

Management of The Centre
The Centre Management Committee is responsible for the operation and supervision of the Centre. It is drawn from local people with experience in community life and also user groups. They are responsible for the development of services to ensure that vital needs in our community are met. The committee also implements health and safety , equal opportunities and training needs of the volunteers. Constant monitoring and evaluation are a priority to ensure that we are doing our best to serve users of the Centre and adapting to the changing needs of people in Bedford.


Centre Policies: Copies of all policies including our Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities and Child Safety can be found in the foyer, together with our insurance, child registration and entertainment licence.
 

Download a copy of our Centre policy document

Download a copy of our Welcome Brochure in Adobe

St Mark's Church Pre-school  Click here to visit the pre-school web page

Toddlers For all parents and children. Meets on Thursdays from 1.30pm until 3.00pm. Contact the Co-ordinator Mrs Debbie Coppenhall (356828

Uniformed Organisations
1st Brickhill Brownies – Monday evenings – Mrs C Mathews (400987)
3rd Brickhill Guides - Monday evenings - Mrs Gill Lake (218091)
4th Brickhill Brownies - Wednesday evenings -Mrs Carol Warden (219731)

Sunday School
Contact the church office on (342613)
 

St Mark's pre-school has been recognised as providing outstanding education giving children the best possible start.

Learn more about St Mark's Church Pre-school

A special big thank you to all of our volunteers who gain satisfaction in helping others. If you would like the opportunity to volunteer please contact Wendy

You can e-mail her at: wendy@ThisisChurch.com

Contacts

For events at St. Mark's

Telephone/Fax 01234 342613—- International Telephone/Fax + 44 234 342613

For events at Putnoe Heights

Telephone 01234 365630—- International Telephone/Fax +44 234 365630

St. Mark’s Church Preschool Meets every weekday mornings and afternoons. Contact the Pre-school Co-ordinator Mrs Helen Harpin (312634)
Chat & Play Thursday 9.45am contact Emma Strangwick 211070 for toddlers, parents and careres

Weightwatchers Thursday evenings Mrs Ralph (01767 224978)
Clubhouse Day for those with learning difficulties. Co-ordinator Mrs Karen Bywater (315460)
Bereavement Care and Pastoral Support Group - Mrs Mary Stubbs (406784)
1st Brickhill Brownies Monday evenings Mrs C Mathews (826190)
3rd Brickhill Guides Monday evenings Mrs Gill Lake (218091)
4th Brickhill Brownies Wednesday evenings Mrs Carol Warden (219731)
Bedford Junior Chess Club Thursday evening (children’s group) Mr C Hill 772922
Bedford Senior Chess Club Thursday evening Mr P Housden (376597)
Brickhill Clinic Thursday – all day (267444)
Card Makers Club—Mrs Carol Houghton (346718)
Sugarcraft Guild meets first Monday every month 7.00pm  Pat Nicholsdon 353518
Mother Theresa Support Group Tuesday afternoon fortnightly.
Wool and knitting needles provided Mrs Maureen Watling 262225
Keep Fit Tuesday evenings Mrs Gregory (214107)
Slimming World Tuesday evenings  Helen Folbigg 3512234
Bridge Club For the Retired Wednesday afternoons Mr Barnes 261811
Duplicate Bridge Saturday evening 7.15pm – 10.30pm (Ann or Peter 212066)
Theatretrain Saturday morning Miss Kate Randall (304865)
Jo Jingles music for pre-school children Mrs Jane Phillips 262225
Bunyan Bridge - Wednesday evening Mr Brian Sallows (407725
Embroiderers' Guild 3rd Tuesday in the month C Smith 344544
Writers' Guild1st Thursday in the month Mr J Newton 01525378173