North London churches team up to meet needs of young people

North London churches have pledged to work together after a recent survey found that many locals were concerned about a lack of facilities for young people.

Churches in the Barnet area have agreed to work together following the Big Barnet survey, which asked local residents what they felt were the most pressing issues facing their community.

Twenty-nine per cent of locals felt the lack of youth provision to be the issue of greatest concern, followed by drunken and anti-social behaviour, vandalism, drug dealing, graffiti and deprivation.

In addition to the police, 50 per cent of Barnet residents cited the church as an institution that could effectively tackle the problems.

The church response is being spearheaded by Jesus House, one of the largest Pentecostal churches in London. It hopes the findings of the survey will spur local churches to greater joint action on community issues.

Head of Community at Jesus House, Ayo Adedoyin, said the church was seeking to work closely with Barnet churches from across the denominations “to practically demonstrate and teach about the love of Jesus Christ in our communities”.

He added, “We are particularly pleased that local residents recognised the major contribution the church plays in people’s lives.

“Just over 50 per cent of respondents perceived the local church as effective.

“We are pleased that we have been recognised as giving support to the elderly, youth, ethnic minorities and the unemployed.”