I first reached out to Torch after fleeing a domestic violence situation with my four-year-old daughter. We had moved from London to Reading, and the trauma of what we had been through had severely affected my mental health, making it impossible for me to work. Although I had been given temporary emergency accommodation, I was … Read more …
All my life I had been made to feel afraid, being used and abused by others. But, from the first time I started to attend services at ChristChurch Tilehurst, I felt as though I was visiting a beautiful family home. I was immediately welcomed by everyone I met. I have been gifted a church family … Read more …
NB: ‘Emily’ is a pseudonym. I have been working with Anne from Torch for quite some time now. Initially she came on a one-off visit to help me go through a huge pile of unopened mail. I have chronic mental and physical health issues, and I struggle with day-to-day tasks and activities, such as opening … Read more …
John, a volunteer at Torch, sent workers to my house. I am immensely thankful for the wonderful and kind efforts the volunteers, led by Ben, put up at my residence. They did a very good job and within a twinkle of an eye, my whole garden was cleared of all sorts of rubbish. They were … Read more …
About three or four years ago, I was at the end of my tether. I had become a total recluse and was existing in my own unwashed body, clothing, bedding and surroundings. I had been drinking, smoking and eating junk food with no exercise at all. I had put on a ton of weight, which … Read more …
Rose I have lived in the same house in Reading all my life. I have lots of memories of Old Reading, and in my youth I enjoyed an active life, going out to dances at The Majestic Dance Hall, and being invited to join the American GIs at their camp for dancing. I have had … Read more …
My husband and I have been going to Argyle Community Church for 38/43 years. I was recently chatting to our Pastor, Jamie, about God’s answer to prayer for my son (after a long period of seemingly unanswered prayer!) When my son was in his mid-teens, (12 years ago) he became very unsettled. He started missing … Read more …
I was helped by Torch earlier this year when I was going through a rough patch due to my poor mental health and a divorce. By the grace of God, I was introduced to a lovely couple, John and Rachel, who are Torch volunteers. John and Rachel have been tremendously helpful and they taught me … Read more …
Sometimes I feel like I can only breathe when I shut and lock the bathroom door. I’m safe here. I’m alone. That’s often when I know I’m really struggling; when tears loosen and my body relaxes in relief, all because I’ve closed a door to the outside world. Depression and anxiety have reared their ugly … Read more …
At the end of July 2021 I was out for a walk and I saw a notice in the window of Argyle Community Church advertising Torch. The notice said ‘Do you need help?’ At the time I was feeling lonely, I had no confidence, and I needed help with my English, but I didn’t think … Read more …