---
title: Growing local presence
date: 2026-07-08T11:25:00+01:00
author: Polly Taylor
canonical_url: "https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/growing-local-presence"
section: News
---
---

 

  

# Growing local presence

Tonbridge Road Methodist Church used the Growing Good course to explore local presence and connection.

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- Story
- 08 Jul 2026
 
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          ![Revd Naomi Oates and a female volunteer at the church](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_1008x567_crop_center-center_82_none/138-AS8A9102-Enhanced-NR.jpg?v=1786702916)  

 

 

 

In 2024, Tonbridge Road Methodist Church and friends from Bearsted Methodist Church used Growing Good as their Lent course. Led by the Revd Naomi Oates, the group found themselves particularly drawn to the themes of local presence and community connection. Together they began to explore new ways to deepen relationships, develop ideas and meet the needs they could see in their local community.

 

 

## Creating opportunities for connection

 

 

The group had noticed kids from the local school sitting on the church wall at Tonbridge Road. There had been previous discussions about opening up the church to them and creating a welcoming space specifically for their needs. While the idea had been considered before, it had not been developed considering capacity and priorities. However, the Growing Good course offered a valuable opportunity to revisit this vision, prompting reflection on how a partnership with local schools might be built, and sparking renewed enthusiasm for volunteering and community engagement.

 

 

We were becoming a bit inward looking and a lot of activities were for church members so it was a good idea to be more outward looking.

Church member and volunteer

 

 

 

Encouraged by conversations during Growing Good, Revd Naomi Oates reached out to local schools with information about plans to start an afterschool club. A local school Chaplin responded, describing this as a real answer to prayer, and worked alongside volunteers at Tonbridge Road to shape the club’s format and organise the required sign-up forms. The Drop In was launched in September 2024 and now runs every Monday and Wednesday. It has connected with young people who had never been into the church before. The Drop In team are committed to creating a space at Tonbridge Road Methodist for these young people.

In addition, momentum has grown around another community initiative that aligned with Growing Good’s themes of presence and participation, the bi-monthly litter pick. After volunteer Linda responded to a council call for local litter-picking efforts, the team has expanded to include participants ranging from as young as 4 years old to those in their 80s. The activity has created meaningful opportunities for connection, with conversations and a shared sense of care for the church building and its grounds. Passersby have expressed their appreciation, and the team is eager to welcome more people as word of the initiative spreads. As a volunteer shared ​“doing things around the outside of the building shows there’s life here beyond Sunday!”

 

 

 

## Growing Good

 

- ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/SDP6363-1124.jpg?v=1786699798) ### [Growing Good](https://cuf.org.uk/resources/courses-for-churches/growing-good-course)
    
    A free, practical course helping churches deepen their understanding of their local community, grow in discipleship, and turn faith into meaningful action.
- ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/CUF_GG_Youth_Church_Support_Hub.jpg?v=1786696890) ### [Growing Good: Youth](https://cuf.org.uk/resources/courses-for-churches/growing-good-youth)
    
    Growing Good: Youth is an engaging, empowering journey for youth groups, taking young people from discovery to action as they explore their gifts and make a difference in their community.