Peterborough community hub to be relocated with building converted into housing

Werrington Parish Church has submitted plans to the city council for Way In Community House in Copsewood to become a three bedroom terraced dwelling.

Acting Vicar Reverend Sue Fear said the aim is to move services it provides from the site to The Lighthouse Youth Centre in Church Street, with money generated from the sale used to improve accessibility and provide additional services.

The parish church has used Way In as a community hub for more than 30 years, and before the coronavirus pandemic it hosted a variety of activities, from an under fives group to senior lunches.

It was also used as a food bank centre and for counselling.

Reverend Fear said: “It’s been a community house and it’s grown and grown over the years until last year when obviously Covid hit us hard.

“The house itself has not been open, but the ministry has developed into a pastoral hub where people connect with us. We’ve been supporting people in the parish with shopping and a listening ear.

“But alongside that in 2019 we had The Lighthouse in Church Street - a big centre used by our youth. The plan is we will refurbish the building so it’s more accessible - it will have ramps and space for people to get in and out easily.

“It’s a big area. If we get back to any kind of normality we’ll have a much bigger space and more room so people can get support for all sorts of different things.

“The sale of the community house will help us to move the ministry to The Lighthouse which will be a pastoral hub.”

The new services provided at The Lighthouse will be centred on what is needed once life returns to something approaching normality, with Reverend Fear adding: “We look forward to new beginnings with The Lighthouse.”