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 …