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“My job as a vicar feels a privilege, to be with people at their times of deepest need and greatest joys. But to be able to serve the community, help in some of their most awful, fearful moments, that was an absolute privilege too. In the late 80’s I got pregnant at 18 and was given a council place on an estate in New Southgate. I really loved the sense of community there and being with lots of other single mums. You didn't ever feel alone. Actually, I think estates could teach us all how to look after each other better. I became a Christian when my eldest was 18 months old, thanks to St Barnabas church, where I'm now an Associate Minister. They accepted and cared for me. Where others might have just seen a single mum from a council estate, they saw something deeper, and they employed me as their children’s worker. So I decided I wanted to do for other people what they had done for me – to see their potential and help them become the best possible version of themselves. Eventually I was selected to train, even though I’m not your archetypal trainee vicar, and I was ordained about 11 years ago. Every day my faith gives me courage and strength.
"As the pandemic hit, it soon became evident that more food banks were desperately needed. I was aware that St Barnabas was sitting empty, so I thought, ‘Why don’t we start one there?’. By May 2020 we were setting out empty tables, wondering, 'Is this going to work?', but soon the place was heaving with donations. At first hungry people were queuing outside for pre-packed bags, but now we pack bespoke bags for people, which offers greater dignity, and have recently moved everything inside. It’s a really big team effort and we all felt being able to help was really good for us as well. On the Strawberry Vale estate we took food round in trolleys to those in need, shopped for people, and distributed flyers, with emergency numbers as well as contact details, for people feeling isolated and fearful – who just wanted to talk. So we were able to offer some comfort and support, while also encouraging others to pick up the phone on a regular basis and check that everyone else was OK."
“My job as a vicar feels a privilege, to be with people at their times of deepest need and greatest joys. But to be able to serve the community, help in some of their most awful, fearful moments, that was an absolute privilege too. In the late 80’s I got pregnant at 18 and was given a council place on an estate in New Southgate. I really loved the sense of community there and being with lots of other single mums. You didn't ever feel alone. Actually, I think estates could teach us all how to look after each other better. I became a Christian when my eldest was 18 months old, thanks to St Barnabas church, where I'm now an Associate Minister. They accepted and cared for me. Where others might have just seen a single mum from a council estate, they saw something deeper, and they employed me as their children’s worker. So I decided I wanted to do for other people what they had done for me – to see their potential and help them become the best possible version of themselves. Eventually I was selected to train, even though I’m not your archetypal trainee vicar, and I was ordained about 11 years ago. Every day my faith gives me courage and strength.
"As the pandemic hit, it soon became evident that more food banks were desperately needed. I was aware that St Barnabas was sitting empty, so I thought, ‘Why don’t we start one there?’. By May 2020 we were setting out empty tables, wondering, 'Is this going to work?', but soon the place was heaving with donations. At first hungry people were queuing outside for pre-packed bags, but now we pack bespoke bags for people, which offers greater dignity, and have recently moved everything inside. It’s a really big team effort and we all felt being able to help was really good for us as well. On the Strawberry Vale estate we took food round in trolleys to those in need, shopped for people, and distributed flyers, with emergency numbers as well as contact details, for people feeling isolated and fearful – who just wanted to talk. So we were able to offer some comfort and support, while also encouraging others to pick up the phone on a regular basis and check that everyone else was OK."
“My job as a vicar feels a privilege, to be with people at their times of deepest need and greatest joys. But to be able to serve the community, help in some of their most awful, fearful moments, that was an absolute privilege too. In the late 80’s I got pregnant at 18 and was given a council place on an estate in New Southgate. I really loved the sense of community there and being with lots of other single mums. You didn't ever feel alone. Actually, I think estates could teach us all how to look after each other better. I became a Christian when my eldest was 18 months old, thanks to St Barnabas church, where I'm now an Associate Minister. They accepted and cared for me. Where others might have just seen a single mum from a council estate, they saw something deeper, and they employed me as their children’s worker. So I decided I wanted to do for other people what they had done for me – to see their potential and help them become the best possible version of themselves. Eventually I was selected to train, even though I’m not your archetypal trainee vicar, and I was ordained about 11 years ago. Every day my faith gives me courage and strength.