The church warden overseeing St George’s Church has told JesmondLocal the renovation of a community hub will be for all, regardless of religion.

This project is designed to bring the Jesmond community together, said Janet Wilson, warden at St George’s Church. Wilson said the plan will involve an extension to the rear north west corner of the church, providing facilities “which will be invaluable for services and concerts or lectures”.

The main feature of the new development plan is the Green Room. “This eco-friendly new space has separate access from the rear aspect of the church and will offer the Jesmond community a new, light, modern area to meet, host events and celebrate,” said Wilson.

The project is now at the stage of architectural tendering for the approved plans, but the speed of fundraising will dictate how soon the Community Hub Green Room can be delivered. The St George’s Hub team would “love even more community support”, admitted Wilson.

This month, the team welcomed Professor Sir Alan Craft as the patron. The Hub steering group is also boosted by the presence of well-known Jesmond resident Chris Clarke, who helped oversee the community takeover of Jesmond Library and Pool, who Wilson said has given invaluable advice and encouragement to date. 

Wilson said she hoped of the Green Room would have similar success to recent jazz and movie nights in St George’s Church – which had great turnouts. Wilson told Jesmondlocal: “This new development plan opens the door  to many more popular events for all ages.”

One St George’s moviegoer told JesmondLocal: “It was such a different experience than going to watch a movie in a normal cinema theatre. I haven’t been to church in years but this experience has made me want to attend more events like this within a church setting.”

With Christmas creeping quickly around the corner there are many Jesmond church celebrations. However, this festive season St George’s Church is also “‘using a novel approach to raising money,” said Wilson.

The church is using the Give As You Live Online online fundraising shopping page. The website allows you to collect money for good causes based on your ordinary shopping. If you order groceries for delivery, are considering switching energy providers, are buying Christmas presents, or planning a trip away, you could raise funds for the Hub at zero cost to you. 

To support Jesmond Community Hub, go to https://www.giveasyoulive.com/join/stgeorges-jesmond

To offer direct financial support to the St George’s Community Hub visit: https://givealittle.co/campaigns/a6a4215d-33b3-4466-98f6-0463ec5c79a0