Snow Hill

The Gateway is a community centre owned by St Swithin’s in the heart of the Snow Hill Estate.  For many years it was a place of regular worship and community life, but since that congregation joined with the rest of the parish to meet at the refurbished St Swithin’s in 2008 it has been developing a new role.  The direction for the centre began to emerge as we waited on a prophetic word that said ‘the Shepherds will come from the outside and our role is to care for the Shepherds’.  Who has come?

We recently partnered with Regenerate, a charitable trust working to relieve poverty.  They sought to encourage local people to find their voices and develop the networks, services and facilities that they themselves want and can sustain.

Domenica Oatley is our youth and community worker.  She is also supporting the community to develop the activities and projects they would like to see in The Gateway. Regular events include the Monday morning Mums and Toddlers Group and the Friday evening Youth Group from 7pm – 8.30pm providing a safe space in which young people from age 11 – 16 can socialise. Members are encouraged to share responsibility for running the group. 

Straight after youth group (8.40-9.00pm) is ‘The Think Spot’. This provides a space, run by the young people, for them to engage with issues that affect their lives. 
There is also a programme of one-off family events, such as a family disco, holiday clubs, carol-singing evening, and a season of ‘bible stories at bedtime’

Bath City Church holds a weekly children's church service on Sunday's from 3.30-5.00pm in partnership with St Swithin’s and members from BCC who live on the Snow Hill Estate.  The vision is for a vibrant, independent Christian Community to develop on the estate.

All that happens in Snow Hill is guided by our belief that social action and evangelism go hand in hand, and that mission takes place through the context of relationships.

Genesis Trust

We support Genesis Trust which supports homeless or recently housed people on the margins of society in Bath and the surrounding area to help them rebuild their lives.  The Trust is supported by nearly 60 local churches of all denominations.  It provides both practical and emotional support.  For example, at the practical level it provides food and clothing to those without homes.  It assists people into housing and runs a furniture restoration project that offers both training and cheap, quality furniture for those being re-housed.  It also offers emotional support through its ‘Lifeline Centre’.

Street Pastors

Street Pastors is an inter-denominational church response to urban problems.  Teams of pastors go onto the streets on a Friday and Saturday night to listen, talk and meet with those who need a helping hand or listening ear.  Having started in London there are now over 100 teams around the United Kingdom.  The teams work closely with the Police, Council and other statutory agencies in partnership with local churches and community groups.  Some of our congregation serve with Street Pastors on the streets of Bath each weekend.