Based on Leagrave High Street in the Lewsey area of Luton, St Hugh’s church runs youth and children’s work sessions to support families on the nearby housing estate.




Unemployment is a significant issue in the area, and many families struggle with low incomes; the weekly ‘Big Breakfast’ session at St Hugh’s provides a meal for children who wouldn’t get breakfast at home. The church is also a social centre for children to make friends and explore their faith. “It’s really fun,” says Jordan, “I come for the food, and it’s lively…my friends motivate me to come and to know God more. If it wasn’t on I’d probably be sitting at home watching TV.”

Karen, who co-ordinates the youth work at St Hugh’s, recognises that building relationships with the children and the community takes time: “it’s about trusting them; this changes these guys. We trust them to be sensible…[they] can come and know that we respect them; it’s about us being real and honest with them.” Three youth sessions throughout the week help children to develop their faith, build their confidence and make new friends; the Big Breakfast and ‘Energise’, a Monday night youth group, have both grown due to their popularity.

Peter Law, the vicar at St Hugh’s, has seen how important the church’s youth work is to the community as a whole. “These are really needy kids…there’s lots of violence, hurting families and suicide. The need is tremendous, but it’s a fascinating place to be; it’s just about loving them so that they can be given help. Unemployment is a real issue; kids going hungry is a reality. We have to be ready to respond in any way that we can.”