Churches Unite for Children and Families Across West Norfolk
In a significant display of faith-based collaboration, churches from across West Norfolk convened in Gaywood this September for the landmark Homegrown Network Launch Forum. The gathering at St Faith’s Church Rooms brought together more than 40 church leaders, volunteers, and community partners in a shared mission to better support children, young people, and families throughout the region. This event marked the culmination of months of careful listening and reflection with local congregations, establishing a foundation for what promises to be a transformative collective effort. For those who couldn’t attend, the Homegrown team has scheduled an online webinar on November 19th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, offering another opportunity to engage with the network’s findings and contribute to the developing vision for church collaboration in West Norfolk.
The September launch event featured the publication of the comprehensive Homegrown Report, a document informed by hundreds of voices from across the community spectrum—children, families, schools, and churches all contributed their perspectives. This research revealed several shared priorities that cross denominational lines, including concerns about mental health challenges, family instability, and the pressing need for safe community spaces where young people can gather and grow. Perhaps most significantly, the report highlighted a growing desire among churches to move beyond occasional cooperation toward more strategic, sustained collaboration throughout the region. As Vicki Price, Homegrown’s coordinator, observed during the event, “It was incredibly encouraging to see such a wide range of churches coming together with a shared hope and imagination. The conversations that began in that room were really practical, Spirit-inspired, and so exciting!”
These conversations weren’t merely theoretical discussions about church unity but focused on concrete actions churches could take together. Participants explored how they might coordinate outreach efforts to primary and secondary schools, developing consistent, meaningful presence rather than disconnected initiatives. They discussed creating joined-up support systems for parents, toddlers, and families that would provide continuous care rather than fragmented programs. There was particular enthusiasm for developing multi-church approaches to pressing community needs such as wellbeing support and debt advice—services that might be beyond the capacity of individual congregations but become possible through partnership. Many attendees also expressed interest in finding creative ways to utilize church spaces for young people’s activities, building upon past successful partnership work like the Encounter Youth services that had previously brought churches together in service to local youth.
The launch event was enriched by insights from experienced practitioners in church collaboration. Phil Green, CEO of Viva, shared inspiring international stories of churches uniting for children’s wellbeing, demonstrating that the vision being pursued in West Norfolk connects to a broader global movement of faith communities working together. Attendees also heard from Alisha Palmer of the Good Faith Foundation, who offered practical wisdom from her work in Bristol helping churches map their community impact and develop meaningful partnerships with local Family Hubs. These presentations provided both inspiration and practical models that West Norfolk churches could adapt for their context, reinforcing that collaborative approaches often achieve greater impact than isolated efforts. The diverse group of participants—representing various denominations, church sizes, and traditions—reflected the inclusive nature of the Homegrown vision, which seeks to unite Christians across traditional dividing lines in service to their shared communities.
Looking ahead, the Homegrown Network is moving into its next phase with a focus on building practical collaborations across West Norfolk. These will range from coordinated school partnerships and community hubs to creative youth gatherings and cross-church volunteer networks that maximize the gifts and resources present within the Christian community. The November 19th online webinar represents an important opportunity to expand this circle of engagement, inviting churches and organizations that weren’t present at the initial launch to join the conversation and contribute to the growing momentum. Registration for this session is open to anyone interested in being part of this collaborative movement for children and families, regardless of whether they attended the September forum. The webinar will review key findings from the Homegrown Report and outline potential pathways for churches to participate in collaborative initiatives at various levels of commitment.
The ultimate vision driving the Homegrown Network extends beyond programmatic cooperation to a fundamental shift in how churches relate to one another and serve their communities. Rather than competing for limited resources or duplicating efforts, the network envisions a strong, connected church unity movement across West Norfolk—one equipped and united in helping every child and family to thrive. This approach recognizes that complex community challenges require multifaceted responses that no single church can provide alone. As the network develops, churches and organizations across West Norfolk are being warmly invited to play their part in this collaborative movement, contributing their unique strengths to a shared mission. Those interested in learning more or joining the growing network are encouraged to contact Vicki Price at [email protected], taking the first step toward a new era of church collaboration in West Norfolk that promises to transform not only how churches work together but the wellbeing of the communities they collectively serve.
