In 2024 Developing Success has contributed to the building of a Food Pantry at our church St. James’ Woodside n Horsforth near Leeds. The Food Pantry operates on a membership basis and members can obtain a weekly shop at a considerably reduced price than can be found in the supermarkets.

 In the picture you can see the opening of the pantry by the Lord Mayor of Leeds – Cllr Abigail Marshall Katung. It was a wonderful occasion – and the church, where one of the DS team (Jonathan), is the vicar, now hosts two community schemes. The latest one is the Pantry, and the other being the Horsforth Shed – a place where (mainly) men can go and learn woodwork and craft skills from expert craftsmen. Sessions for children struggling in mainstream education are also run out of the shed in term time. The place has been restored from a derelict old scout hut in the last few years – and has been lovingly built into a wonderful workspace, by members of the St. James’ church community.

For those of you who know me – you will know that Jonathan choosing to go into full time ministry in the Church of England in his 40s was something of a life change for our family. There have been challenges and joys associated with this transition. One of the positive effects it has had on our lives is being integrated into a community and meeting a huge variety of people from that community– that otherwise we may never have met. It keeps you grounded and connected. The fact that the work that Sue, Jonathan, Nic and I undertake for Developing Success gets to support great ventures for our local community in Horsforth adds to the joy of the work we do.  I wish we didn’t need Food Pantries, and I’m not going to get political in this blog. Just to say, at this point in time, they are necessary, and it feels good to be able to support this work.

Rebecca