After attending Launchpad in Bath and Wells, the Revd Chris Elms had a renewed heart for youth ministry. He had the idea of offering an after-school drop-in at St Marks Church, Worle as lots of secondary aged young people walked past or through the church car park on their way home from school. Having the idea was one thing, finding keen helpers was another issue, St Mark's didn’t have a leader who would bring it all together. After a time of waiting and prayer, Lianne came along and offered to lead the drop-in.
They launched their drop-in in June 2025, with 18 young people regularly dropping in, hanging out with their friends and learning simple life skills like making toasties and hot chocolate.
Lianne says: “It is a great joy, but it is hard work behind the scenes. You need eyes in the back of your head most of the time. However, drop-in is only made possible because of our committed team of volunteers, Chris, Jen and Patrick.”
In June 2026 they celebrated their first-year anniversary with a birthday cake, smores and a fire pit. The 26 young people had such fun. Lianne added, “It was complete bedlam and me and Jen finally got a chance to breathe after 45 mins of a very hungry crowd! One lad even commented, ‘well, I am very hungry - I haven’t eaten in 4 hours!!’ Which did make me laugh.”
Here are some of the things the young people say about the drop-in:
• Everyone is so kind and welcoming
• The food is so good and fills up my belly
• I love the food, the people, the activities
• I love this place. The ladies are so sweet and welcoming. There is lots to do as well
• I feel safe and I get time with my friends
• Free food and drink when I finish school, good people, area & community
Going forward they hope to introduce more craft activities as well as basketball and football. Only a handful of the suggestions the young people asked for and would like to see in drop in. Lianne says, “I’m excited to see what the Lord has planned for these young people as they discover more about themselves. I pray they feel comfortable in a church building that they may choose to, one day, to come to be closer to God and not just for free food.”
If your church has little or no contact with young people, why not encourage your vicar and a lay leader to explore Launchpad. For more information contact the Go Team.