“We’ve decided we want to be a doing branch,” said Barbara Haynes, Branch Secretary of the newly reformed Mothers’ Union at All Saints, Wellingborough. “The MU has moved a long way from its tea-making days, although we still sometimes do that. It’s much more project based.”
There are two main projects for the All Saints group, which has just re-started after a break of nearly five years. They collect toiletries for the local women’s refuge, where distressed clients arrive without such basic necessities. They also support the work of The Daylight Centre for the homeless. At present this means making up kit bags with a blanket and some food, all wrapped in a strong plastic sack that can be used as a groundsheet.
They also knit. Since 2008, Barbara says MU members in the diocese have knitted more than 4,000 teddies. They give them to Northamptonshire Police, who in turn give them away to children in all kinds of traumatic situations. Demand is high and the message is, “keep knitting!”
Supporting families worldwide is a central aim of the Mothers’ Union and membership is open to anyone who supports this cause, including single people and men. It’s possible to be a diocesan member even if there is no branch at your local church.
You can find out about MU events in the diocese on the What’s On page.