The Vicar of St John's outlines the many activities that take place on board the Ark, her parish's response to widespread hunger and other social crises that afflict Palmers Green and the whole of the country.
St John's Ark of Palmers Green
The Vicar of St John's, Rev Julie Coleman, photographed in 2021 when the church was collecting donations for Afghan refugees (Photo: Madeleine Davies, Church Times)
The Ark has now been running since March 2020. It was mainly initiated due to the first Covid-19 lockdown. We have noticed as the year has gone on and people have become tired, afraid, anxious and vulnerable, that a lot more people have come onboard to volunteer or seek assistance. St John's would not be able to sustain this initiative if it was not for the help of the people community who have become the resource for food, clothes, etc. I will never be able to thank you enough.
What takes place on the Ark
The Boutique is open every Friday
The Boutique supplies items for a people of all ages to wear every Friday between 12noon and 2pm. They also supply nappies, baby milk, items for pregnant women, etc. Plus, a suit or outfit to assist people for interviews.
Heart Rock Café runs a take away system form the parish centre door every Friday between 12noon and 2pm. It offers a full packed lunch, soup, roll and a meal when available. Food Hygiene and certificates are maintained at all times. The amount of people who come for food has increased. We feed approx. 54 every week.
The Pantry provides food and toiletries
St John's Food Pantry - A bag of food is given to every person who comes to the Ark on a Friday. If more is needed for a family, it is offered. A bag of toiletry specific to an individual needs are also offered.
Food bags are delivered by volunteers to around 180 recipients
Food parcels and deliveries – home delivery food bags are prepared on a Thursday. The deliveries are done by helpers who meet us outside the parish centre on a Friday at 10.30am and or at 2.30pm so as to prevent overcrowding. At this present moment we deliver food to approx. 168 people.
Cake deliveries – Cakes are delivered to nursing/residential homes, carers old and young, schools, doctors and dentist surgeries to promote well-being during the week.
Furniture deliveries – are undertaken by those who know the vulnerable families or refuge centres.
Youth Provision – has its own volunteers who are informed of any changes.
Stay and Play – A free nursery that runs for pre-school children on a Monday and Thursday from 9.15am to 11.15am term time.
Breaking Point - Mentoring of young people who have been involved in gang crime or seek to leave gangs. In the afternoon we facilitate a group for parents of young people excluded from school or involved in gangs and crime.
Mental Health Day - Every Thursday from 1pm to 3pm we celebrate the uniqueness of all people through coming together with those who have been marginalised from their families or communities due to mental health. If needed food and clothing is offered as well as friendship.
Mid-week food emergencies – If food is needed by individuals or individuals self-isolating during the week this is arranged by me and other volunteers who collect and deliver.
The Heart Rock Café is open on Friday lunchtimes
Community donations – We are so fortunate to live in a community with people who have a heart for it! We thankfully have key streets, people and organisations that support the Ark. Without their kindness we would not be able to support so many. They are being encouraged to be deliver donations between 9.30am and 11am Saturday to Wednesday.
Pastoral care – is done by me and lay-chaplains who have been trained and who are DBS-checked. Often people are signposted to specific agencies to offer further assistance, especially those who have experienced sex trafficking or domestic violence. This has led us to work alongside three amazing refuge centres for men and women.
As well as a hot takeaway meal Heart Rock Café customers on Fridays can take grocery items home
Beginning and End – As per usual I check in with all volunteers before and a checkout after each session on a Friday. When needed a meeting is held if issues arise. A prayer is said before we begin and before we leave so as to ensure the Trinity remain at the centre of all we do.
Team – I have learnt throughout the years that no one person has all the gifts. This is evident if you work as a team, which we do. The team of many men and women come from different walks of life and yet it has been created through humility, a love of people and a willingness to serve is evident on the Ark. I hope and pray that we will grow together as long-standing friends who value the people in the community and beyond.
Conclusion – Unfortunately, you will always find the occasional person who will grumble and moan about what you are doing or what you are not doing but we have risen above that. The Ark is a marvellous witness of community and faith and a wonderful work that we do together. We minister to all those in need who come to be clothed, fed, loved and cared for. As one of God’s priests, I believe we do for them what Jesus did for us.
If you can help with food donations, we would be very grateful. Can you please drop items of at St John's Parish Centre or ring me on 020 8886 9557 and we will collect. We are also in need of volunteers due to the increased work load due to human need.
