A new kitchen for St Aidan's!

St Aidan’s church Southcoates Avenue in Hull serves an area that has some significant pockets of deprivation including some high levels of crime and anti-social behaviour. The church hope to refurbish their 50 year old Hut with the aim of extending its life as a community resource. Although operated by St Aidan's Church, it is entirely used by community groups. The Hut hosts out of schools club for Dance, Baton Twirling, Brownies, Guides and Boys' Brigade. Promoting Good Citizenship is inherent in all of St Aidan’s groups and activities are meaningful, organised and inspire; they give a sense of purpose to young people. In this way, St Aidan’s hopes to reduce the possibility of young people being led into trouble. When work is complete St Aidan’s hopes to attract more groups to use this facility. Disabled access is being provided and this will allow the Health & Wellbeing Team to run keep fit for the elderly from the Hut. In the past ten years, the Hut has been re-roofed, central heating installed and storage cupboards fitted. This has been achieved from rental income. However, the remaining work is beyond the means of St Aidan’s. To complete the renovation the church needs to replace some rotten timber, put cladding on the walls, and replace all the window frames together with replacement of the kitchen. If this work is not carried out soon, the Hut will need demolishing within a few years. The total cost of this work is £60,000. St Aidan’s has secured generous grants from other organisations as well as a bequest. They requested the Tribune Trust consider making a grant of £2,500 to be spent on the kitchen. Gillian Drewery, High Sheriff for the East Riding of Yorkshire, is shown above presenting the chque to the St Aidan's team responsible for the refurbishment project.