Since Simon and Laura Cooper have announced that they will be moving from Blackpool, the team have been overwhelmed by the fondness and support we have had. It has been humbling to discover how much we have impacted Blackpool and with our building leases coming to an end, we have an exciting vision to replicate our work through mission hubs across the UK, as well as maintain a training centre that will help provide hope to many still across the UK.
Refreshment has been an influential charity in Blackpool, providing a full programme each week that changes things in the town and in individual people's lives. In the centre of Blackpool, the base where our shop and mission hub is located has seen significant commercial growth and a decline in anti-social behaviour. It comes from a dedicated team meeting there, as well as being a place of help and hope for many. In the next two years in Blackpool, thousands of students and workers are going to be on our doorstep.
We are a Christian charity with who wish to be obvious in sharing the gospel, be a continued blessing the local church and always be directly engaging with the culture. Where the gospel, church and culture meet, that’s where Refreshment thrives. We rarely find ourselves in a church building, but we are found in locations well-known in the area. In Blackpool, we have worked in Stanley Park, Blackpool Tower, The Pleasure Beach, The Winter Gardens and with 39 churches across the Fylde Coast. We aim to be in the midst of the action, going to where people are, and provide daily activities that both address loneliness, as well as offer hope and help.
We have been running our mission hub in Blackpool since 2017 and it been a constant place of refuge on the high street. As Simon & Laura Cooper leave Blackpool in March 2025, a group has been set up to maintain the work of the hub and develop the building further, including a bookshop, cafe and a meeting space for local projects. Our Blackpool network is currently 100% volunteer-led by Refreshers passionate about their area, and provides huge support to a group of people with managed mental health.
Since 2017, we have leased the building but have agreed a favourable purchase price that will provide a stress-free environment to the team there. The appeal would take away the burden of making monthly payments for the team and Refreshment UK would be able to continue a 7 day a week programme from there. We have been able to budget that £200,000 would complete the purchase and the development of the site.
Blackpool is also home to the Refresh Centre, where we plan to continue our mission training and offer a place of retreat. We are working alongside chaplaincy services in prisons to be able to offer a new mission training programme – BREAKING THE CHAINS – for Christian ex-offenders. This will take place alongside inspiring mission training and retreats in the 14-bedroom location.
Over the last decade, more than a thousand visitors have stayed at the Refresh Centre and been transformed in that place. We have leased the site for the last decade and done over £100,000 of repairs to the building, making it a place of peace and encouragement. We have been excellent tenants and have agreed a price to be able to purchase the building outright as ours .Our aim through this appeal would be to purchase the building in its current state and create a long-term future for the training centre, becoming a constant site of encouraging and equipping.
Again, the purchase of the building enables Refreshment UK to offer a stress-free environment for locals to continue the life-changing work of the Refresh Centre, and enables all further funds raised to maintain the 24-6 lifestyle at the centre.
We believe if we can complete this appeal by raising the full £500,000 for both locations, we can complete Phase 1 and 2 of our appeal and secure a long-term future in Blackpool.
The fundraising campaign enables us to purchase both of these amazing locations in Blackpool which has been requested by the many visitors across the last ten years. It is clear from people’s response to us leaving that both of these locations are special, meaningful and much needed. There is so much work still left to do beyond Simon and Laura leaving, and we are excited by the team set up to do that.
This appeal is the beginning of an exciting 5 year project with Refreshment UK, split into 10 phases that will transform the work of Refreshment nationally. Beyond Blackpool, our vision is to replicate mission hubs across the UK, as well as develop the training centre further. We teach and truly believe that nothing is impossible with God, and recognise the calling of Refreshment to bring hope to a society that is devoid of hope.
Our next location for a mission hub is to be based in Hinckley, Leicestershire and based on the high street. This will be pioneered by Simon and Laura Cooper, founders of Refreshment UK, who will encourage and equip a local group of Refreshers to deliver a similar programme in Blackpool to provide help and hope alongside the local church.
Our vision at Refreshment is to provide Help and Hope Through Hubs
After that, we know of several other locations where our vision to provide help and hope through can bring the kingdom to the heart of a town. These will be managed by local networks, with direct support from our founders at the centre of the town. We will encourage and equip a network of Refreshers in each place to be obvious about the gospel, draw together the local church and directly engage with the culture.
Please support us and help keep Refresh-in Blackpool
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