Southwold

Southwold, a picturesque seaside town on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, boasts a working lighthouse, an award-winning pier and a busy harbour.

But it’s also home to a summer mission to holiday makers and local people that year after year presents practical, accessible Christianity in many attractive ways. The programme makes the most of both traditional and alternative outreach activities – open air services, sunrise beach hut Bible studies, games, singing, afternoon festivals, barbecues, quiz evenings, an evening youth café, slot car racing, netball matches, world class juggling and a noticeable level of silliness! Central to each day is the Family Group Bible teaching time.

The mission has strong relationships with the local community and churches, and the work of building connections continues throughout the year.

Leader Ed Bowerman says, ‘The Southwold team grow together through their work, through training events, evening fellowship times and shared experiences at our tented accommodation Camp Glory – where we have the best dining room views in the world!’

The team are a lively bunch, drawn from all age groups, including a number of young families who camp together. Many return year after year. Team members are encouraged to take up training as family group leaders and can also serve as cooks, outreach workers or carers for younger children.

The mission is keen to innovate and in recent years has organised ‘dads and lads’ nights and ‘pamper evenings’ for mums and daughters.

Families are welcome on the team. Some family accommodation is available in a house.

To get involved, download the right application form from the top of this page – if you are volunteering for the first time, use the ‘Application Form for New Team Members’ and ‘Referee Form’; if you volunteered last year, use the ‘Team Member Update Form’.