‘Exploring accessible ways for children and young people
to hear the gospel message with our rural community’.
The Reach Project exists to fulfil the long-term vision for the rural church in Mid Devon where all our villages have active, lively Christian workers, serving in the schools and community to share the love of God and champion anything which is good for children.
The Reach project works with young children across the Culm Valley Mission Community, of which St Mary’s Willand is a part, as well as the Sampford Peverell Team Mission Community and Dunkeswell Mission Community. The Reach project, links rural churches and schools together with creative children’s work.
Claire Nichols is a part-time Schools Chaplain from the REACH project, working in a number of schools including Willand Primary School. She has three grown up children and is married to Matthew. She has worked for St Mary’s Church for 10 years as a children’s and families worker but her role has expanded to working across ten schools, a messy church, two preschools and leading Uffculme Toddler Group. Claire says: “I love working with children, finding creative ways to share faith and finding ways to link church, school and wider communities. When I’m not working I’m often found at our allotment or at our local library. I enjoy knitting, sewing my own clothes, crafting, baking cakes, and having a chat over a cuppa!”
