Lighthouse Community Church’s Expanded Soft Play Zone: A Community Gift Nearly Complete
In the heart of Sheringham, a unique community space is about to reopen its doors with exciting improvements. The Lighthouse Community Church has nearly completed work on extending its popular Soft Play zone, the only free facility of its kind in the area. What began as a modest play area that could only accommodate 15 parents or carers with pre-school children has transformed into a significantly larger space due to overwhelming community demand. The original area had become so popular that staff regularly had to limit entry, demonstrating just how vital this service has become to local families. This expansion represents more than just additional square footage—it embodies the church’s commitment to nurturing community connections in a welcoming, accessible environment.
While the Lighthouse Café and ThreadBear shop (which sells pre-loved children’s clothes and toys) reopened on January 13th following the Christmas break, the café staff are working diligently to provide a limited soft play facility starting from Wednesday. Behind the scenes, construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the new extension, with additional improvements being made to the car park and drainage systems. These practical enhancements, though perhaps less exciting than new play equipment, are crucial for creating a comfortable, functional space for families to gather, especially during the often wet Norfolk weather. The church’s holistic approach to the renovation demonstrates thoughtfulness about the entire visitor experience, not just the play area itself.
The fully expanded Soft Play room is scheduled to open on January 20th, featuring a substantially larger floor area and new furniture to accommodate more families comfortably. However, the transformation won’t end there—additional soft play pods and equipment will arrive in phases over the coming weeks, with the entire project expected to reach completion by spring. This phased approach allows the church to reopen the popular facility as quickly as possible while continuing to enhance the experience over time. For local parents who have missed this vital community resource during its closure, the reopening cannot come soon enough, particularly during the winter months when outdoor play opportunities are limited by weather.
Project manager Chris Harrison spoke warmly about the journey to complete the expansion, acknowledging both the challenges and blessings experienced along the way. “Despite some challenges along the way, we have been able to raise all the funds needed to build this extension, and it is clear that God has been blessing this venture,” Harrison explained. He expressed particular gratitude to the contractors, Ovamills, for their cooperation, efficiency, and friendly approach throughout the construction process. Harrison also extended thanks to the architects at Chaplin Farrant, the civil engineers at Canhams, and especially to those who contributed financially to the project. His words highlight how the expansion has been a community effort, bringing together professional expertise and generous donations to create something special for Sheringham families.
Café manager Maggie Rothe emphasized the deeper purpose behind the Lighthouse’s family-friendly facilities: “We see Lighthouse Café and soft play area, alongside our ThreadBear shop selling pre-loved children’s clothes and toys, as providing vital outreach into our local community.” This statement reflects the church’s understanding that community service takes many forms—sometimes it’s providing a warm meal, sometimes it’s offering affordable children’s items, and sometimes it’s simply creating a safe, welcoming space where parents and young children can play, socialize, and build connections. Importantly, Rothe confirmed that despite the significant investment in improvements, the soft play facility will remain free of charge for café customers, maintaining accessibility for all families regardless of financial circumstances.
The Lighthouse Community Church continues to demonstrate practical Christianity through service, understanding that meeting tangible community needs creates meaningful connections. The expanded Soft Play zone, Lighthouse Café, and ThreadBear shop are open Tuesday through Friday each week from 10:30am to 2:30pm, offering a regular schedule that families can rely on. As the church prepares to unveil the enhanced play space, there’s a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation among local parents who have come to treasure this unique resource. In a time when many community spaces are disappearing or becoming commercialized, the Lighthouse’s commitment to providing a free, high-quality play area stands as a powerful example of faith in action—meeting people where they are and serving them with genuine care and thoughtfulness.
