St. Mary and St. John, Shaw Hill, Alum Rock, Birmingham

1982-88 Priest-in-Charge of St. Mary and St. John, Shaw Hill, Alum Rock, Birmingham

During my time at Alum Rock, I was Associate Chaplain to East Birmingham Hospital as well as Chairman of the Law Centre Subcommittee of Saltley Action Centre, a local law centre specialising in housing, immigration, employment and welfare rights advice.

In 1987 I brought together a number of interested parties (local churches, representatives of the local health authority, social services and those involved in Employment Training) and was able to establish the Saltley Community Mental Health Project (SCMHP) based at St. Mary and St. John.

From 1984-88, I chaired a special sub-committee appointed by Yardley Deanery to investigate how statutory and voluntary agencies were faring in East Birmingham. The report of the committee, entitled Against the Odds, was commended by the Diocese as a model for other deaneries to assess their own pastoral practices and thus encourage a wider debate about ministry and mission in the city.