Exeter Temple

The Salvation Army has been working in Exeter since 1881 and has a full programme that includes providing the following to anyone in our community:

• Worship on Sunday mornings and festivals throughout the year

• Takeaway hot meals and goody bags on Saturdays and Sundays for anyone needing a meal

• Tailored support for those seeking employment to be job ready, along with support to stay in work

• Parent and Toddler groups

• Connect Club sessions for people to meet, play games, do crafts, chat and have a coffee

• Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers

• School assemblies and support with curriculum activities and resources

• Singing-by-heart sessions - a singing group for adults that is fun and aims to be dementia friendly

• Food parcels, especially during school holidays

• Christmas toys and birthday presents as requested and Christmas Day meals for those who would otherwise be alone

• Housing for those transitioning from homelessness with a supporting dependency rehabilitation programme

• Supported accommodation for adults with complex mental Health needs

• A safe space for families to meet, rehearsal facilities for local choirs, and for community clubs to hold meetings and activities.

We have plans to extend our programme to include a luncheon club and to work with other community groups to provide facilities that support the needs of local people.

Our work is possible, only due to the very generous donations we receive from the people of Exeter and district. However, our building in Friars Walk is now in need of major refurbishment to ensure it continues to be structurally sound and the internal areas meet the needs of our current and future community programme.

Our refurbishment project has commenced and will cover the following main areas:

• Replacing the roof, windows, guttering and installing solar panels

• Reconfiguring the ground floor to make the area more practical for community use

• Installing new toilets and upgrading the kitchen facilities

• Making the building compliant with current building regulations

The Salvation Army is a Christian Church & registered Charity working in 130 countries worldwide and is one of the largest and most diverse providers of social welfare in the world. In the UK and Republic of Ireland this work includes more than 800 Salvation Army social service centres and community churches. We provide unconditional friendship, support and very practical help to people in crisis and need and work with children, homeless people, all adult victims of modern slavery and those dealing with drug and/or alcohol addiction.

People can generously donate what they can afford to www.justgiving.com/page/the-salvation-army-exeter-temple-building-for-the-future-project

Cheques – made payable to The Salvation Army – can be posted to Building for the Future, The Salvation Army, Friars Gate, Exeter, EX2 4AZ.

For more information about the project or to donate, contact: exeter.temple@salvationarmy.org.uk, telephone  01392 216 553, or visit www.salvationarmy.org.uk/exeter-temple

The Property steering Group intend to publish regular updates of the progress of the building plans.

The only access to community hall is through Lucky Lane. Friars Gate and Friars Way are part of the building project and although the doors may be open for builders accessing this is a building site and no one is allowed in, neither the public or members of Exeter Temple.

I am mindful that people are interested in knowing what is happening and once a month we will be publishing a selection of photos along with the usual PSG update thanks.

This is a building site and no one is to enter the building during refurbishment.

Leadership team

Corps Officer - Major Robert Elliott

Corps Sergeant Major - Nicholas Walton

Corps Secretary - Major Lawrie Brown

Corps Treasurer - Philip Jones

Bandmaster - Peter Woolway

Songster Leader - Patricia Downie

Recruiting Sergeant - Major Sue Camp-Richards

Communications Secretary - Jane Williams

The Corps Council comprises all the above plus:

Major Alan Read

Mrs Carol Hawker

Mrs Gilly Taylor

Mr. Tim Morris

Mr. Mark Elliot

The Property Steering Group:

Nicholas Walton, Philip Jones, Peter Woolway, Malcolm Camp-Richards,

Major Alan Read, Carol Hawker, David Wicks, Les Williams

Sunday morning worship 10.30am. During our building programme our meetings will be held in our own Community hall - entrance in Lucky Lane or in the Cygnet Theatre.

All morning meetings in December will be in the Cygnet Theatre.

After morning meetings we invite you to our Coffee Fellowship - light refreshments and a chance to chat.

Community take away meals served from 1pm from our community hall in Lucky Lane

We invite you to worship with us this Christmas time.

We invite you to give to our Toy Appeal which supports local families.

Mondays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time

Tuesdays - Employment + 2.30pm in Main Hall

                 Songster Rehearsal 7.00 - 8.00pm

                 Band Rehearsal 8.15 - 9.30pm

Wednesdays - Parent and Toddler Group - 10.00 - 12pm in Community hall in term time

Fridays - Connect - Activity group for adults of all ages 10.00 - 12.00pm.

Singing by Heart - 1.00 - 2.00pm First Friday of each month following Connect and the lunchtime meal.  An opportunity to sing, have fun and a encourage a feeling of well being. Open to anyone who enjoys singing.

Friday evenings - Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers - register at www,girlguiding.org.uk

During Christmas 2022, around 250+ gift bags were prepared for local families, and in excess of 100 food parcels were packaged before Christmas. The generosity of corps folk, friends and the general public enabled a surplus of gifts to be donated to the Esther Community through the year for families in need. 

Christmas Day meals were once again provided on site for those who otherwise would have been alone this year. A hot Christmas meal was available at lunchtime followed by afternoon tea and a gift bag to take home.

Our regular attendees for community meals were entertained on Christmas Day at St Petrocks, otherwise packed meals were provided on Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes during the holiday period,

Each week the Community Team make meals, sandwiches and prepare goody bags and food parcels and up to 100+ meals are prepared and given out each weekend. We continue to help, offering practical support with and food parcels, and spiritual support.

If you would like to help us please use our Just Giving page.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tsa-community-support-000118

The donation Centre at Haven Banks also take in food commodities to be used at Exeter Temple.
 

We endeavour to make links with our local community and invite groups into our hall to learn more of our mission.

The Exeter Children's Community Choir,  hold their rehearsals in our building

Our Band has been able to support with music at St. Leonards School and Wynstream Primary school on a number of occasions. 

Employment Plus Local

Helping people to find work and stay in work

Drop in Tuesdays 2.30pm to 4.30pm or

email ExeterEmploymentPlusLocal@SalvationArmy.org.uk to make an appointment.

  Our vision is to work with unemployed people to provide assistance on their journey into employment within a supportive environment. 

During our sessions we provide:

• Computers with free internet access to help with job searching
• Access to information and guidance on training opportunities to acquire new skills or improve existing ones
• Resources and advice for applying for jobs, including help in completing job application forms, CV writing and interview techniques
• A variety of courses e.g. confidence building, employability and budgeting skills through e-learning;
• A point of reference and an address for homeless jobseekers
• Chaplaincy services on request
• A warm, relaxed atmosphere with tea, coffee and biscuits

Introducing Caitlin who works for the Salvation Army and is involved with Employment Plus in The South West area.

The Corps has a thriving BP group of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Rangers and they meet on a Friday evening. 

Register at www.girlguiding.org.uk 

Friday mornings 10 -12pm

Come along for a coffee, chat, read the newspaper and participate in a wide variety of activities (table tennis, bowling), board games, jigsaw puzzles and crafts. A chance to meet and chat with coffee/tea and a cake or participate in a wide range of activities, crafts and board games. 

Fish and chip lunches can also be ordered on the first Friday of each month.

OUR GROUP WILL BE MEETING IN THE LOWER HALL - ON LUCKY LANE- DUE TO THE REFURBISHMENT.

If you would like to help setting up equipment, making tea and coffee, or help with crafts, please speak to Major Sue or Malc Camp-Richards or Majors Carolyn and Alan Read.

Next meeting will be on 1st December following the Christmas buffet Lunch for Connect. This will be in place of the Friday Fish and chips.

Singing by Heart which is a singing group for adults. Singing has been medically proven to be effective in encouraging a feeling of well being. We provide an hour of singing songs of all genres and there is laughter and fun and  sometimes the opportunity to use percussion!

The group is not solely for  those experiencing any signs of dementia but we are aiming to be a dementia friendly establishment with clear signage and facilities.

 Please come along and enjoy an hour of singing, laughter and memories.

Next session will be 1st December 2023. 1.00 - 2.00pm This will follow the Connect Christmas celebration buffet lunch. Come and enjoy the fun.

Please note the change of time.

Further details from jane.williams@salvationarmy.org.uk

2024 dates

5th January 2024

2nd February 2024

1st March 2024

5th April 2024

Thursday mornings 10.15 am KIT club, (Keep in touch) with coffee and/or breakfast at a local venue.  We shall be meeting on the last Thursday of each month at the Imperial at 10ish to 12ish. Please contact Philip Jones. 07944389715

We look forward to seeing you there.

Students who are coming to study at the University, Education or Medical Schools are very welcome to join with us. We have a small number of students who occasionally worship with us and some who enjoy meeting up at band and songster rehearsals. We understand that your priorities are your studies but you are always very welcome.

Anyone undertaking Marine training at the Lympstone Barracks is also very welcome to join us in worship.

If you are aware of any students who have made applications for the next academic year, please extend our invitation to join us. Please check the Weekly activities module to access times of regular meetings and rehearsals. As well as being part of our weekly worship it has been good to welcome students who have been able to offer voluntary services for community meals preparation. We thank them for this. 

There is a rota of people who are willing to host our students on a Sunday lunchtime! Please contact the Corps office to let us know if you coming to study here.

There are also opportunities to work with our BP sections on a Friday evening.

Where we are

Unit 1 Haven Road
Exeter
EX2 8BP
United Kingdom

Email address: exeter.DC@satcol.org

Phone: 01392 458140

There is a large car park at the rear of the building.

Please remember to Gift Aid your donations to the shop. Speak to the Manager, Sarah, or one of the staff, to get a Gift Aid card which will increase your donation to the Salvation Army.

The Gift Aided donations can be accepted at the shop at any time, even when they are unable to receive any other donations.

This store will also accept  packaged and tinned food to be used in the local community for families and individuals.

If you are interested in giving your time to work in the shop in a voluntary capacity please speak to Sarah the Manager.

EXETER DONATION CENTRE WINS TOP AWARD.

The Donation Centre, Charity Shop, in the City operated by the Salvation Army Trading Company. (SATCoL). At their annual staff conference held in Birmingham held in early June, the Exeter Donation Centre was awarded the “Donation Centre of the Year” by Lt Colonel Alan Read who is the THQ Secretary for Business and Administration.

The criteria for selection was made in recognition of the growth of turnover and productivity, retention of staff, the strong relationship and support with the local Corps, (which also included the sponsorship of the International Staff Songsters visit to the Cathedral and local Prisons, as well as supplying sleeping bags for the homeless, and the opportunities for volunteering from which the Corps receives financial support.)

Quite literally the shop is a “Shop window” for the Army and has since its opening in January 2019 has given opportunity for countless conversation and contacts with our local community. The manager, Sarah Ward, and her team are to be congratulated, and thanked for the valuable work they are doing.

Volunteering at the Salvation Army is interesting, rewarding providing the opportunity to meet new people and gain new experiences. 

Christmas Volunteers - we are looking for volunteers to help prepare food on Christmas Eve, for food parcels on Christmas Day and the Christmas day lunch. We also require drivers to bring people to the lunch and take them home and to deliver meals to those unable to leave their homes. Please contact Major Robert Elliott 07985993864

If you are interested, please contact us by emailing volunteering.exeter@salvationarmy.org.uk for an application form. 

Current Volunteering Opportunities:

Community Meals – Every Saturday and Sunday the Community Meals Team provide hot meals, pasties, goody bags and food parcels to those in need of assistance.  Meals are prepared and given out as takeaway food.  Our meals give practical support, but we also offer spiritual support by providing a listening ear to those who need to chat.  We are currently looking for Cooks and Kitchen Assistants

Singing by Heart - This group enables those who would bot be able to join a formal choir or group to come along and enjoy singing. Some of our friends do need a little help with holding song sheets and feeling confident to join in percussion activities etc. It is an hour of fun and is good for the soul and the brain. 

The Salvation Army Housing Association (Saha) -  Saha provides supported housing and general needs property across the country.  Saha operate a service (Exeter and East Devon Mental Health Services) that provides supported accommodation for adults with complex mental health needs. We operate 3 services: Culverlands in Exeter and St Andrew’s House and St Saviour’s House in Exmouth.  We offer a total of 34 placements and work in partnership with Devon Partnership Trust and are commissioned by Devon County Council to provide support packages for people in recovery.

Part of the package includes offering the opportunity to participate in daily activities to help increase living skills, social confidence and general wellbeing, which can range from arts and craft groups, cooking, sport and fitness or social outings to the local town and beyond. 

We are looking to create a directory of people interested in volunteering who would be keen to give up an afternoon of their time to share their skills in anything from gardening to cooking on a budget to pottery, woodwork and craft skills.

If you are interested in volunteering with us then please drop us an email on eedmhs@saha.org.uk with your interest, skills and experience and we’ll be in touch.

One off opportunities – We offer other volunteering opportunities for one off events especially around Christmas – watch this space as more information will be provided when required.

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity, working in 133 countries worldwide, that offers support, friendship and practical help to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs.

SANCTUARY -Contemporary Worship teaching and reflection in a safe and friendly space.

Next Sanctuary will be in 2024. Watch this space for details