A NEW community scheme is being launched in Halesowen next month at the Zion Christian Centre.

The Little Cornbow centre is stepping into the breach after the Lighthouse Project went in to administration last year.

Senior leader at the Zion Centre Leon Evans is looking forward to the official launch on October 14.

He said: “When the Lighthouse Project closed we felt that it was vital that we responded to the evident need that there was in the town for a similar facility and community space in this location. “Although the new Community Zone will not be entirely replicating the great work that the Lighthouse did – it will be a specifically designated place for developing and hosting a wide range of community and social initiatives.” And the Zion Centre has invested in new equipment to ensure the new scheme will be a success.

Leon added: “Since investing staffing & resources into this area in April we have already been able to provide or house the following on a regular basis including Foodbank, Halesowen College courses, PCT Expert Patients, Craft groups, Little Cornbow Over 50’s group, Safeguarding training, Seniors groups and Seniors ‘Holiday at Home’ Job Club, Parenting courses, NHS ‘Get Cooking’, ESOL and other training courses.”

Rob Parsons, the CEO of Care for the Family, will be speaking at the launch event on October 14 at 1pm.