A new, six-monthly community event hosted by the Bishop of Whitby, Barry Hill, was launched this morning, as sixty community leaders from across different sectors of public life in Middlesbrough joined together.
Based on expressed need, Bishop Barry invited those who lead across health, education, civic and political life, the emergency services, local charities, business and faith leaders for mutual support and encouragement, to share ideas and further develop partnerships. The inaugural breakfast was attended by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for North Yorkshire, the High Sheriff, and the Mayor of Middlesbrough.
The event was hosted at Middlesbrough College, whose catering students served breakfast. Clergy from across Middlesbrough Deanery acted as welcomers and table hosts. With space for relationship building, Bishop Barry interviewed a panel of local leaders:
- Zoe Lewis – Principal of Middlesbrough College and Deputy Lord Lieutenant
- John Baker – Chair of Trustees of Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation and board member of the South Tees Development Corporation
- Laura Sillars – Director of Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art and Dean of Culture and Creativity at Teesside University
- Liz Edwards – Co-Founder & CEO of the Rubies Charity, who support girls to see themselves and each other more positively.
The interview was followed by opportunity for all participants to discuss a pertinent question for the town, which led to discussions on fostering local voices and agency in seeking funding opportunities.
Bishop Barry said, “There is so much good in our town in which to delight, but sometimes we can struggle to find our voice. It can also be easy for communities to feel overlooked and unseen in a context where many of financially poorest parishes in the whole Church of England are within Middlesbrough – in one area, 85% of children are now born into poverty, which is the highest rate in the country. My hope is that, in a small way, these events help cultivate tangible hope by sharing the good that is happening, helping people know that God sees them and that by working together we can do so much more than apart.”
The next breakfast is in December.
