It has been an exciting journey to seeing Renew @ The Gatehouse launched in Tunbridge Wells last September (2025) and now becoming established.

We read the books, visited existing Renew spaces, shared the vision with the elders and then the whole church so that we could start building a team. All has been rooted in prayer and we greatly appreciate those who support in this way even though they are not available to join our sessions. We started to pray in our proposed space and time slot while I explored possibilities of linking with what was already happening in this town. It has been particularly useful to connect with a café run by a local Christian charity that works for better mental health in the community. Their weekly ‘Chatty Table’ has been a wonderful way to get to know people who now also come to Renew, as well the two local Mental Health Navigators who refer patients to us. We have more space to be quiet or join activities, so it complements what happens in the café and provides the opportunity to join in prayer. 

Something else that has been hugely valuable has been to join in with Renew online from well before we launched, both the prayer times and the weekly Elevenses meetings. I have learnt so much from the experiences of others and having the opportunity to raise queries. It has equipped me to deal with challenges that have arisen as our church has moved from wondering about the need for a wellbeing project of this nature, with its particular style of prayer and coming alongside people, to the enthusiastic support that we now have. It is such a privilege to be involved in what the Lord is doing here. It is His work.

Catharine Pakington, February 2026

New Life Church, Tunbridge Wells

Thank you for sharing your story Catharine.