Exeter Temple

1st and 2nd June - Official opening weekend. The opening will be led by our Divisional Leaders, Majors Paul and Gillian Billard

EXETER TEMPLE CORPS

Friars Walk, Exeter EX2 4AR

Rededication of the hall at Exeter Temple

Saturday 1st June and Sunday 2nd June

FORMAL RE-OPENING ON COMPLETION OF EXTENSIVE BUILDING WORKS

Saturday 1st June from 3.30pm to visit the building and view displays

Official rededication and opening at 6.45 pm

by

Divisional Leaders Majors Paul and Gillian Billard

Thanksgiving and Celebration meeting 7pm - 8.15pm

Sunday 2nd June 10.30am

Meeting led by our Divisional Leaders

We need your help

 We have been serving the community of Exeter since 1881 and our building now requires major refurbishment.  

Our programme  includes providing the following to anyone in our community:

 Worship on Sunday mornings and special events throughout the year

• Takeaway hot meals and goody bags on Saturdays and Sundays.  
•  Employment Plus Tailored support for those seeking employment to be job ready, along with support to stay in work.
• Parent and toddler groups twice a week

• Connect club sessions for people to meet, play games, create crafts, chat and have a coffee/tea and biscuits. A fish and chip lunch on the first Friday of each month followed by Singing by Heart

  Rainbows, Brownies, and Guides  in term time on Friday evenings

• School assemblies and support with curriculum activities and resources 
• Singing by heart sessions – a singing group for any adults which is fun and dementia friendly. Once a month.
• Food parcels, especially during school holidays
• Christmas gifts for children, birthday presents as requested and Christmas Day meals for those who would otherwise be alone
• A safe space for families to meet; 
• rehearsal facilities for local choirs, and for community clubs to hold meetings and activities   

 We plan to extend our programme to include a luncheon club and to work with other community groups to provide facilities that support the needs of local people. 

 Our work is only possible due to the very generous donations we receive from the people of Exeter. However, our building in Friars Walk is undergoing major refurbishment to ensure it continues to be structurally sound and the internal areas meet the needs of our current and future community programme.

 The refurbishment project  will cover the following main areas:

 Replacing the roof, windows, guttering and installing solar panels

• Reconfiguring the space on the ground floor to make the area more practical for community use
• Installing new toilets and upgrading the kitchen facilities
• Bringing the building up to date with current building regulations

 We are fundraising to help cover the cost of our refurbishment programme and would be grateful for any donations.  Please use the following link to donate

 www.justgiving.com/page/the-salvation-army-exeter-temple-building-for-the-future-project

Sunday morning worship 10.30am. During our building programme our meetings will be held in our own Community hall - entrance in Lucky Lane or in the Cygnet Theatre.

After our morning meeting we invite you to our Coffee Fellowship - light refreshments and a chance to chat.

Community take away meals served from 1pm from our community hall in Lucky Lane

Dates

Sunday 21st April Meeting led by Major Robert Elliott

in the Community hall

IMPORTANT FORWARD ANNOUNCEMENT

 1st June - Formal Opening Service

2nd June - Continuing the Formal opening led by our Divisional Leaders Majors Paul and Gillian Billard

Leadership team

Corps Officer - Major Robert Elliott

Corps Sergeant Major - Nicholas Walton

Corps Treasurer - Philip Jones

Bandmaster - Peter Woolway

Songster Leader - Patricia Downie

Recruiting Sergeant - Major Margaret Bovey

Communications Secretary - Jane Williams

The Corps Council comprises all the above plus:

Major Alan Read

Major Margaret Bovey

Mrs Carol Hawker

Mrs Gilly Taylor

Mrs Lyn Hancock

The Property Steering Group:

Nicholas Walton, Philip Jones, Peter Woolway, Malcolm Camp-Richards,Major Alan Read, Carol Hawker, David Wicks, Les Williams

Where we are

Unit 1 Haven Road
Exeter
EX2 8BP
United Kingdom

Email address: exeter.DC@satcol.org

Phone: 01392 458140

There is a large car park at the rear of the building.

Please remember to Gift Aid your donations to the shop. Speak to the Manager, Sarah, or one of the staff, to get a Gift Aid card which will increase your donation to the Salvation Army.

The Gift Aided donations can be accepted at the shop at any time, even when they are unable to receive any other donations.

If you are interested in giving your time to work in the shop in a voluntary capacity please speak to Sarah the Manager.

in January 2024 we celebrated the 5th Anniversary of the opening of the Donation Centre in Haven Road. We are keen to support SatCoL and acknowledge the massive contribution which Sarah and her team continue to make, not only to the Territory, but particularly to Exeter Temple.

The Corps receives payment for the hours worked in the shop by folk associated with the Temple and at the moment we have 4 Corps volunteers. Since its opening five years ago the Corps has received donations totalling £34.800.53 and counter boxes adding a further £1185.02.

The manager, Sarah Ward, and her team are to be congratulated, and thanked for the valuable work they are doing.

Mondays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time

Tuesdays - Employment + 2.30pm in Main Hall

                 Songster Rehearsal 7.00 - 8.00pm

                 Band Rehearsal 8.15 - 9.30pm

Wednesdays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time

Fridays - Connect - Activity group for adults of all ages 10.00 - 12.00pm.

Singing by Heart - 1.00 - 2.00pm First Friday of each month following Connect and the lunchtime meal.  An opportunity to sing, have fun and a encourage a feeling of well being. Open to anyone who enjoys singing.

Friday evenings - Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers - register at www,girlguiding.org.uk

During Christmas 2022, around 250+ gift bags were prepared for local families, and in excess of 100 food parcels were packaged before Christmas.The generosity of corps folk, friends and the general public enabled this.

Each week the Community Team make meals, prepare goody bags and food parcels and between 25 and 50 meals are prepared and given out each Saturday and Sunday. We continue to help, offering practical support with and food parcels, and spiritual support.

If you would like to help us please use our Just Giving page.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tsa-community-support-000118

The donation Centre at Haven Banks also take in food commodities to be used at Exeter Temple through the year.
 

We endeavour to make links with our local community and invite groups into our hall to learn more of our mission.

The Exeter Children's Community Choir,  hold their rehearsals in our building

Our Band has been able to support with music at St. Leonards School and Wynstream Primary school on a number of occasions. 

Employment Plus Local

Helping people to find work and stay in work

Drop in Tuesdays 2.30pm to 4.30pm or

email ExeterEmploymentPlusLocal@SalvationArmy.org.uk to make an appointment.

  Our vision is to work with unemployed people to provide assistance on their journey into employment within a supportive environment. 

During our sessions we provide:

• Computers with free internet access to help with job searching
• Access to information and guidance on training opportunities to acquire new skills or improve existing ones
• Resources and advice for applying for jobs, including help in completing job application forms, CV writing and interview techniques
• A variety of courses e.g. confidence building, employability and budgeting skills through e-learning;
• A point of reference and an address for homeless jobseekers
• Chaplaincy services on request
• A warm, relaxed atmosphere with tea, coffee and biscuits

February 2024

We are thrilled that Caitlin (Employment Development Coordinator) has won the Employment Plus Directors award. Below are details of her nomination compiled by Darren, Employment Plus Regional Manager.

Caitlins’ Nomination

Since she joined us nearly a year ago, Caitlin (EDC) has been great - nothing is ever too much for her. She has been keen to learn and also to share her knowledge and experience with others showing both Boldness and Mutual Accountability.

I asked 2 of the E+ Local team for their thoughts:

Alan Read (Retired Officer) - "It is a joy to work with Caitlin, she has fully committed herself to this position and is always keen to understand and comply with the many facets of The Salvation Army and its mission. On Tuesday afternoons, when our volunteers come together for our sessions, she gives encouragement and confidence to us all. I have observed how much her clients appreciate the time she spends with them, and the efforts made to resolve their issues. In the wider context of the County of Devon, she has established links in a number of communities where the Army is otherwise unrepresented. She recently wrote us a report outlining the scope of her work for the wider corps fellowship, and this was well received."

Lyn Hancock (Corps member and E+ Local team member) - " Caitlin has made a huge impact in the short time she has worked with us. She is professional, knowledgeable, hardworking and great fun to work with. She relates to and Respects people from all walks of life and her Passion for doing her absolute best for her clients is plainly evident to see. We have worked on numerous initiatives together, and she actively participates in our East Devon Network where all local expressions of TSA meet to learn from each other and to create a joined-up approach to how we best serve our community. I have heard nothing but praise for Caitlin. She is a great asset to TSA and we are very privileged to have her."

Caitlin is also currently working out of 2 prisons, working with men in their last 12 weeks of sentence, supporting them getting ready for release and then working with them once they are back on the outside. She is extremely Passionate about transforming lives, which she does with Integrity, and is continuously looking for ways to make things better for anyone that accesses our service. I strongly believe she embraces all of the TSA core values, and she does it all with a very big smile.

The Corps has a thriving BP group of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers and they meet on a Friday evening. 

Register at www.girlguiding.org.uk 

Friday mornings 10 -12pm

Come along for a coffee, chat, read the newspaper and participate in a wide variety of activities (table tennis, bowling), board games, jigsaw puzzles and crafts. A chance to meet and chat with coffee/tea and a cake or participate in a wide range of activities, crafts and board games. 

Fish and chip lunches can also be ordered on the first Friday of each month.

OUR GROUP WILL BE MEETING IN THE LOWER HALL - ON LUCKY LANE- DUE TO THE REFURBISHMENT.

If you would like to help setting up equipment, making tea and coffee, or help with crafts, please speak to Major Sue or Malc Camp-Richards or Majors Carolyn and Alan Read.

Next meeting will be on 1st December following the Christmas buffet Lunch for Connect. This will be in place of the Friday Fish and chips.

Singing by Heart is a singing group for adults. Singing has been medically proven to be effective in encouraging a feeling of well being. We provide an hour of singing songs of all genres and there is laughter and fun and  sometimes the opportunity to use percussion!

The group is not solely for  those experiencing any signs of dementia but we are aiming to be a dementia friendly establishment with clear signage and facilities.

 Please come along and enjoy an hour of singing, laughter and memories.

Further details from jane.williams@salvationarmy.org.uk

2024 dates

5th April 2024

3rd May 2024

7th June 2024

5 July 2024

KIT club, (Keep in touch) with coffee and/or breakfast at a local venue.  We meet on the last Thursday of each month at the Imperial at 10ish to 12ish. Please contact Philip Jones. 07944389715

We look forward to seeing you there.

Students who are coming to study at the University, Education or Medical Schools are very welcome to join with us. We have a small number of students who occasionally worship with us and some who enjoy meeting up at band and songster rehearsals. We understand that your priorities are your studies but you are always very welcome.

Anyone undertaking Marine training at the Lympstone Barracks is also very welcome to join us in worship.

If you are aware of any students who have made applications for the next academic year, please extend our invitation to join us. Please check the Weekly activities module to access times of regular meetings and rehearsals. As well as being part of our weekly worship it has been good to welcome students who have been able to offer voluntary services for community meals preparation. We thank them for this. 

There is a rota of people who are willing to host our students on a Sunday lunchtime! Please contact the Corps office to let us know if you coming to study here.

There are also opportunities to work with our BP sections on a Friday evening.

Volunteering at the Salvation Army is interesting, rewarding providing the opportunity to meet new people and gain new experiences. 

If you are interested, please contact us by emailing volunteering.exeter@salvationarmy.org.uk for an application form. 

Current Volunteering Opportunities:

Community Meals – Every Saturday and Sunday the Community Meals Team provide hot meals, pasties, goody bags and food parcels to those in need of assistance.  Meals are prepared and given out as takeaway food.  Our meals give practical support, but we also offer spiritual support by providing a listening ear to those who need to chat.  We are currently looking for Cooks and Kitchen Assistants

Singing by Heart - This group enables those who would bot be able to join a formal choir or group to come along and enjoy singing. Some of our friends do need a little help with holding song sheets and feeling confident to join in percussion activities etc. It is an hour of fun and is good for the soul and the brain. 

The Salvation Army Housing Association (Saha) -  Saha provides supported housing and general needs property across the country.  Saha operate a service (Exeter and East Devon Mental Health Services) that provides supported accommodation for adults with complex mental health needs. We operate 3 services: Culverlands in Exeter and St Andrew’s House and St Saviour’s House in Exmouth.  We offer a total of 34 placements and work in partnership with Devon Partnership Trust and are commissioned by Devon County Council to provide support packages for people in recovery.

Part of the package includes offering the opportunity to participate in daily activities to help increase living skills, social confidence and general wellbeing, which can range from arts and craft groups, cooking, sport and fitness or social outings to the local town and beyond. 

We are looking to create a directory of people interested in volunteering who would be keen to give up an afternoon of their time to share their skills in anything from gardening to cooking on a budget to pottery, woodwork and craft skills.

If you are interested in volunteering with us then please drop us an email on eedmhs@saha.org.uk with your interest, skills and experience and we’ll be in touch.

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity, working in 133 countries worldwide, that offers support, friendship and practical help to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs.

Volunteers can also use the facilities at the Employment + club on Tuesday afternoons.