Action & Outreach

UK

Below are examples of current projects. For further information on any of these, please contact the MU Office
The Virtual Babies project has been completed and our babies donated to The Cape Road Clinic's Straight Talking campaign... read more

Prison Visiting Edward Bear Club Away From It All MU Parenting Programme Parents Talking Baptism Support Marriage Preparation Toddler Groups & Pram Services BID Fund

Craft Projects: Knitting for Premature Babies Gowns for Stillborn Babies
Teddies for Tragedies Prayer Shawl Noah's Ark

YOUR PROJECTS

All projects are fully supported and backed by the Action and Outreach Unit. The Unit Coordinator for this important area of work is Chris Cooke. If you would like to become involved in any of our projects or have a suggestion for a project please e-mail her via the Coventry MU Office.

The Mothers' Union is a unique organisation which seeks to support both its members and local community.

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Prison Visiting

When HMP Rye Hill opened near Rugby four years ago, it gave Coventry Diocesan Mothers' Union an opportunity to begin prison visiting (it is the only HM Prison within the Diocese).

The then Chaplain, Sandy Hicks, approached Mothers' Union (Coventry Diocese) as they were desperate to find 'visitors'. Members from the two nearest branches, Dunchurch and Southam, took up the challenge and now regularly visit prisoners in Rye Hill. From these humble beginnings, an Association of Prison Visitors group has now been formed and more members have joined from across two counties, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

Most visits are made on a monthly basis, either afternoon or evening, and meetings are held four times a year for the visitors and potential visitors. These meetings provide the opportunity to recruit; the need is great as the scheme is still in its infancy.

Rye Hill is a Category B prison and many of the inmates have no visitors at all, no Christmas cards, no letters and therefore no link with the outside world.

If you would like to know more please contact the Coventry MU Office

Chris Cooke

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The Edward Bear Club

The Edward Bear Club meets monthly in Cubbington Church, where pre-school children and their carers can learn more about the Christian faith in informal surroundings, accompanied by their favourite bears!! For more information contact Joan Clark

Parents Talking

Parents Talking is a group for mothers with children under 18 months who want to meet other mothers but do not feel comfortable in the boisterous environment of a Parent and Toddler group.

The group runs from 1.15 to 3.00 in St. John's Church Hall in Warwick Road, Kenilworth, and mums have a chance to chat and enjoy a tea or coffee while the babies play on blankets. A resource library is also available.

Call Liz on 01926 777062 for more information

Anyone wanting to start a similar project in their own area is also welcome to call Liz.

Baptism Support

The MU supports clergy in many churches with Baptism Preparation. They may also offer Bibles for the baptised, and/or offer follow up support such as celebrating baptism anniversaries by the sending of cards.

Marriage Preparation

MU members support clergy in preparing couples for marriage. MU in Guildford Diocese has produced a pack entitled Marriage Preparation & Choosing Marriage, which can be purchased through the MU Office or see Publications.

Toddler Groups and Pram Services

The Mothers' Union was one of the first organisations to introduce Parent and Toddler Groups. At least six branches in the diocese are involved in running a Toddler Group in their parish. Pram services are a way of introducing the church to preschool children. Resources are available to help with these schemes.

Britain & Ireland Development (BID) Fund
(formerly CWISY Fund)

What is the BID Fund and what does it do?

Originally called CWISY (Coventry, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and York), the fund was set up in the late 1990s, to offer grants to UK and Ireland Dioceses, which would enable them to start or develop projects. It is used most extensively to fund MUPP training programmes and to support facilitators after they have trained. However, any projects in the UK can be considered, such as parenting support groups, development of prison work, drop-in centres and outreach literature.

For example : A BID grant part-funds the salaries of Project Development Workers in UK Dioceses

Applications must be made through the Diocese, but ideas are always welcome. So if you see the potential for a new project in your area, that is in line with MU objects, do contact the Office and we'll explore the possibilities.

The Money Advice Service run by Gloucester MU (MUMAS) is an example of a BID project

For further details contact the MU Office.

Craft Projects

Knitting for Premature Babies

Members of all ages knit clothes for premature babies, some of them tiny hats or helmets with 'holes' for tubes to pass through! The clothes are given to all of the local hospitals.