Early in October 2022 the Brockenhurst Benefice of Churches signed Mel Osborne to be our Child and Family Support Worker. It was a new role and meant that rather than expecting children and families to be free to attend our churches just on a Sunday they would discover more of the joy and love of our Christian faith.

Mel’s role meant that she would be working in our three church schools (William Gilpin, South Baddesley and Brockenhurst primary).

Her calm quiet enthusiasm, clear care for young people and natural warmth made her an easy choice for this new role.

Since October 2022 she has worked alongside the amazing staff at the three schools and with many, many children and young people. She is now a well-recognised figure, leading worship ambassadors, aspiring cooks, budding gardeners and sensitive souls as well as whole school assemblies and even the Brockenhurst squirrels. She’s run holiday clubs, taken children on trips to local care homes and once, to number 10 Downing Street.  She’s painted rocks and made safe spaces, she’s created resources – including outside – to allow children the space to just be. She’s told stories, created interactive drama and just sat with those who needed that.

After a while of working with the schools, Mel applied to become an ordinand (trainee vicar) and was accepted into the programme – part time, so that she could continue her schools role as well a Mum, a wife, a daughter and a granddaughter.

It is with huge pride and enormous regret that we now have to say goodbye. Mel is going onto another parish to complete her training and some very, very fortunate parish will soon be gaining her as their Vicar (God willing).