A popular and well used Community Hub has celebrated 10 years of service to the local community this week.
The Encounter Centre, (just behind Birchwood Shopping Centre) is run by Birchwood Community Church, and has been a hub of many activities over those years.
Currently the centre has a pre-school group, art class, games morning, as well as regular coffee sessions that are free for people to drop in and have a chat.
There are weekly English conversation classes to support those who have come to the town from Hong Kong.
The centre also distributes food, when available, to help people who are struggling.
Alex Lindsay the current Centre Manager said “We are grateful for the support we receive from so many, including the Shopping Centre management.
Above all we are grateful to God for the many people we have been able to help over the years.”
Previous Centre Manager Andy Jordan spoke to a packed room about how the centre came about, and the difference it had made in people’s lives.
Information about the Centre, and what is on can be found on the church website, www.birchwood-church.org
