Soul stars shine in community

Young people from seven churches in Barking & Dagenham volunteered to spend part of their summer holiday serving the community through the ‘Soul Week 2’ project, part of the ‘Soul In The City’ initiative.

During the week they painted a mural at Newlands Park, renewed crazy paving at Greatfields Park, painted storage containers at Mayesbrook Park, and painted the cricket pavilion, benches and bins at St Chad's Park.

In addition, young people from the borough have been able to take part in graffiti art, street dance, circus skills and football tricks workshops.

The Revd Jonathan Evens, Soul in Barking & Dagenham co-ordinator, said: “Lots of young people and church members have worked together with the youth offending team to transform parts of our community.

“At the same time that we've been improving the environment we’ve also had a lot of fun providing arts and sports activities.

“As Christians, we care about our community and want to do all we can to transform it by bringing people together and releasing their skills and talents.”   

Soul In Barking & Dagenham is part of Soul In the City London, a charity that has mobilised more than 30,000 young people in voluntary community projects across Greater London since 2004. “This initiative is faith based, not faith biased, serving people of all faiths and none,” adds Jonathan.

Soul In The City London has the wholehearted support of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Prime Minister, Mayor and the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Matt Bird, Soul in the City London spokesperson, said: “The charity is all about encouraging young people who are motivated by their faith in Jesus, to demonstrate that actions speak louder than words, by doing good intheir communities.”

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