Shirley Community Trust

The Shirley Community Trust (SCT) is part of our social ministry in the Shirley area.
The Trust runs a number of projects in order to make contact and be a witness to the love of God for the people who live in the Shirley area.
The Trust is a success partly due to the involvement of people in the community. Although managed by many within St. Stephens, volunteers from the Shirley area are providing the base for much of the work.

The following are just some of the initiatives run by the Trust:

Friday Night Community Meal

The Friday Night Meal is a healthy fortnightly free meal offered to families in the community. A kids program is incorporated to give parents time to meet others. Sharing a meal and chatting provides a relaxing atmosphere for parents and children.

After School Program

In partnership with the BOT of Shirley Primary School, a value's based program is offered every afternoon after school for the children.

MacFarlane Park Neighbourhood Centre

You are invited to visit the MacFarlane Park Neighbourhood centre, where many of the Trust's activities are based, including a café serving coffee and cake.

MacFarlane's on the Park

Community Cafe run on Friday mornings offering a "Merivale" quality-style cafe on a Shirley budget.

Shine and Mini-Shine Events

To get families active, regular 'Shine' and 'Mini-Shine' events are held in MacFarlane Park. We all get together for sports and games during the warm summer months. You are welcome to come and join us anytime.

Newsletter (Sunshine in Shirley)

You can keep up-to-date with all the activities of the Trust through a quarterly community newsletter, ‘Sunshine in Shirley’. It has information about upcoming events, groups you can get involved in and meet others and informative articles about the local community.

The Trust also released a Community Directory for Council and community workers in 2005.

Crime Prevention

A fun neighbourhood also needs to be a safe neighbourhood, so the Trust in association with the Police and Community Board support the Neighbourhood Based Safety Project. This project aims to improve the physical environment, social environment and address issues of social concern.

Life Skills Training

Two mornings a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) the Trust offers a ‘Numeracy and Literacy’ course in partnership with the Hagley Community centre.

Bread Distribution

Bread sponsored by Bakers Delight at the Palms is distributed to around fifty families each week via the Neighbourhood centre.


For more information

Contact the church office.