From isolation to community – how a rural church helped establish a thriving baby group
Like most new mums, Rhys was overjoyed to welcome the arrival of her baby son Tommy in 2023. But her rural location made it difficult to form social bonds with other new parents. Living in the beautiful but quiet village of Belford in Northumberland, there were no baby groups or play facilities, with the nearest some 15-20 miles away.
With a newborn and a toddler, regular travel wasn’t easy and Rhys soon began to feel isolated. She knew something needed to change. Having previously volunteered for a charity supporting families, Rhys believed she had the skills and experience to make a difference. Her idea was simple – to create a baby group in Belford, so local parents could connect and support one another.
But she knew she couldn’t do it alone.
Rhys had already built a relationship with St Mary’s Church in Belford. She had taken her older daughter to Roots and Shoots, a children’s initiative run by the church. When she shared her idea with the vicar, Louise, the response was immediate.
“When I told Revd Louise about my idea, she said straight away that the church would love to help make it happen.”
With encouragement from the church community, Rhys’ idea quickly became reality. Members of St Mary’s social group, CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other), raised £200 in seed funding. The church also offered Rhys free, unrestricted use of the church gallery as a permanent home for the group. Church members didn’t just provide space. They offered practical support with administration, safeguarding arrangements and ongoing encouragement.
In March 2025, Little Roots and Shoots opened its doors. What began as a small idea has become a thriving weekly baby group, free and open to anyone in the community.
“Without the support and generosity of St Mary’s, Little Roots and Shoots would just have been a nice idea. Instead, we have a warm space to meet every week with the facilities we need and our own storage, so it feels like it’s really ours. The church continues to support us financially too, helping with things like crafts and snacks.”
For Rhys and the families who now attend, the group has become much more than a play session. It is a place where friendships form, parents support one another and young families feel less alone. Rhys has seen first-hand what the parish church means to the community.
“I don’t go to church myself but I do know the parish church isn’t a closed space. The building is maintained by faithful church members but it belongs to the local community. The members and volunteers at St Mary’s really want to see the church serve local people.”
Thanks to their care, generosity and financial support, Little Roots and Shoots has become a place of connection and wellbeing at the heart of the village.
Why Your Support Matters
Rhys' Little Roots and Shoots is just one example of the vital role churches play in enabling community groups to flourish through our practical and financial support. Together we care for 237 church sites on behalf of our communities. We create welcoming spaces for people to come together. We help to create better supported, more resilient communities.
But ministries like this do not happen by accident. They rely on parish clergy, lay leaders, trusted volunteers - and over £7m every year to pay for things like training, safeguarding, and clergy support. Please donate today to help us meet our ministry costs and ensure more groups like Rhys' Little Roots and Shoots can help communities live life to the full.