News from South West England

Find out how we are finding homes for children in South West England

Stu Dendy and Dave Kingswood share updates, encouragement and prayer points related to Home for Good’s work across the South-West 


Highlights

One of Dave’s big highlights before Christmas was helping to organise a very special meal in Bath, for social workers, church leaders, foster carers, adopters and supported lodging providers. As always, Life Church did an amazing job of putting on a banquet for everyone and a good time was had by all!

We also participated in Christmas Tree Festivals, one in Bristol and two in Wiltshire. These always generate good interest, and we are so grateful to those organisations and churches, which make this possible, thank you!

Through the generosity of City Church Bristol and in partnership with the brilliant LoveWell we were able to give a gift to a number of social workers, who support the children and families that live and breathe fostering and adoption in the church. This was a beautiful way to say “we see you and thank you for your work” and to shine some light!

Stu spoke at Malmesbury Abbey, a beautiful and impressive building, and a very welcoming church. He shared the message of hope and the wonderful ways that anyone can get involved, to play their part in findings homes for children and supporting those that have already opened their homes.

Home for Good joined Compassion UK at the J John Christmas Carols on the English Riviera in Torbay. Over 900 people attended, and it was a marvellous time, with many great conversations and connections.

Tree Festivals Decorations
Tree Festivals Decorations
Lovewell Gifts
Lovewell Gifts
Stu at Malmesbury Abbey
Stu at Malmesbury Abbey
J John Christmas Carols
J John Christmas Carols

Home for Good’s CEO Tarn spends a weekend in the South West

More recently, we enjoyed a weekend visit from our CEO, Tarn Bright. We began in Plymouth, where Tarn recorded a programme with Fergus Scarfe at GOD TV and then spent time with a local Member of Parliament. That evening we had an excellent time with local church leaders from Redruth, Plymouth and Torbay. All this, whilst working our way through the most scrumptious Indian meal – thank you each of you for coming!

The following day we headed to Taunton, , to join with other South West staff from Home for Good, including Dave Kingswood and a small number of our amazing Champions. We also met with local champions from different parts of the South West, including Bristol and BANES. We had a Q&A time with Tarn, which was a great chance to hear more about where Home for Good is headed and what we are passionate about. Stu shared about the start of an online monthly prayer group, with the focus on finding homes for children across the region. A big thank you to Croft End Church, Bristol, for hosting us so brilliantly.

Sunday morning was a delightful time with the Community Church, Southmead, a church that is signed up as one of our Home for Good Churches and a church with active volunteer Champions and our first Peer Support Group in the city, which makes it a great place for those who foster, adopt or host supported lodgings. If you would like to hear more about being a Home for Good Church, please click HERE.


Opportunities

Stu went to an Incoming Ministries evening event at St Matts, Bath. Ben Knowlman, who leads the ministry, kindly invited Home for Good, to share our vision and to encourage the next generation to think about what part they might play in fostering and adoption. We had some positive conversations, and we pray that new opportunities will open up from this time.

Stu at Incoming Ministries evening, Bath

Dave was excited to share at Manvers Street Baptist Church. They have a huge heart for social justice and this opportunity has generated a couple of great follow ups. Also, Dave was at Elim, Bath recently, for a Sunday service – we are so grateful for the way this church welcomes the vision of Home for Good and for their ongoing support. Furrough Cross URC, in Torbay, in January and Knowle Methodist Church, in Bristol, in February, were two very enjoyable speaking engagements for Stu.

Thank you so much, to the many churches, who continue to welcome Dave and Stu to share about Home for Good purpose and the part that everyone has to play, we are very grateful for each opportunity.

Coming up

In March, Dave and his wife, Carly, will be meeting with children’s workers and youth workers from churches in the Bath, Bristol and South Gloucester area to explore how we can better support children with early traumatic backgrounds. Our hope and prayer is that they will leave that time feeling better equipped to serve their families in their communities.

In a few months’ time, Dave will be speaking about family and hospitality at St John’s church in Keynsham, which is a new opportunity for Home for Good.

On 21 March, in Bristol, Home for Good will have a stand at Gather For The Day - (churchmissionsociety.org). Why not come and join us?


What can I be praying for?

We would love you to stand with us in prayer as we continue to work to find a home for every child who needs one in the South West.

  • Please pray for more home providers to come forward in the South West area.
  • Please pray for continued new faith communities to connect with us.
  • Please pray for the new men’s group in BANES, that is gathering a lot of interest.
  • Please pray for our new Peer Support Group as it prepares to launch in Bristol.
  • Please pray for the social workers that work tirelessly, finding homes for children and our partnerships with the Local Authorities.
  • Please pray for Stu, Dave and their great team of volunteers as they seek to expand and deepen Home for Good’s work across the South West.

Check out our prayer resource, Let’s pray, for additional thoughts, inspiration and points to guide your prayers.

    Are there any events happening soon that I can attend?

    Head over to our South West England page to find out what is happening in the area and find all the local support groups.

    Take me there

    How do I get in touch with a member of the Home for Good team in South West England?

    Stu Dendy heads up Home for Good's work in South West England and he would love to hear from you! You can contact him through the link below.

    Email Stu

    Our local co-ordinator operates North East Somerset. Send an email though the links below.

    Email Dave

    Date published:
    February 2024


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