Bishop Praises Spurgeons' Family Centre

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, has praised the work of a family centre helping hundreds of parents cope with issues such as isolation and post-natal depression.

The Faringdon Family Centre, a Spurgeons community project mid-way between Swindon and Oxford, was set up by local churches.

"To see the work that's going on is great," said Bishop Pritchard. "Spurgeons is at the heart of the centre - as it is in many innovative child and family enterprises that are so important in a fragmented society. Like many great Victorian charities Spurgeons has redesigned and reinvented itself."

Amanda, 26, has been visiting the centre twice a week for three years. "I suffered post natal depression when I had my first daughter. Coming here meant I felt less isolated," she said. "It's nice to get advice on things like sleeping and feeding patterns, as well as how to cope with bad behaviour."

On his visit Bishop Pritchard met volunteers, staff and users of the centre, which is a partnership between Churches Together in Faringdon, an ecumenical organisation of five Christian churches, and Spurgeons, an international charity working with children and young people.