Saturday, 18 April, saw the formal handover of Virginia Lodge Day Centre in Egham to St John’s Church by Runnymede Mental Health Association (RMHA), following the transfer of the lease on the property (owned by Runnymede Borough Council) in October 2014.
At the event – which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress Elect of Runnymede – Revd Jeff Wattley said: “We are enormously indebted to the trustees of RMHA for the gift of the lease on Virginia Lodge, which could not have been better timed and which has enabled us to sustain and grow our ministries in a number of areas. Our mission as a church is to ‘transform our community’ through showing and sharing the love of Christ, and we hope and believe that we can be worthy successors to RMHA at Virginia Lodge in making a difference to every person who comes through the door, whether they are looking for a cup of tea, a listening ear, personal development or practical support.”
The transfer of the lease in October has enabled St John’s to relocate its church office, as well as a number of ministries, to Virginia Lodge ahead of the closure of the church centre in December and work beginning on a new church centre in February this year.
Activities underway include a Community Kitchen, Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre, pastoral services such as the “Hope for Tomorrow” depression counselling course, and the local Foodbank.
More details: Conrad Benefield, Virginia Lodge Manager: 01784 605405 /
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Shown left to right are: Mrs Susan Jones, Mayoress Elect of Runnymede; Mr Robert Storey, Chair of Runnymede Mental Health Association; Revd Jeff Wattley; Councillor Derek Cotty, Mayor Elect of Runnymede. (Photo courtesy of Conrad Benefield)