During the pandemic, Antrim Coast Vineyard began to support their community by providing bundles of toiletries for local organisations and families in need. Now, in a time when provision is needed more than ever, they have expanded their support in the form of a hygiene store: ‘Refresh’. Andrea from Antrim Coast Vineyard told us the story:

“As we came out of lockdown, volunteers noticed a continuing need for toiletries as the cost of living crisis began. We kept dreaming of what could be and believed and prayed that the unit next door to our Church could play a part, although at that time it was occupied.

In January 2022 we began to share our vision of a hygiene store where families could come and choose toiletries free of charge in a place of dignity and hope. We were drawn to a verse from 1 Samuel‬ ‭2: “God puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, restoring dignity and respect to their lives”, and so we named the hygiene store Refresh.

On 7th October 2022, our Compassion Hub was opened (in the unit we’d prayed about next door), made up of our employment project Restart and the Refresh store.

Refresh is stocked with a wide selection of toiletries and laundry products. We believe everyone should have the right to feel clean, and with an emphasis on dignity in self-care, we also provide items such as haircare, skincare and makeup products. Local families and individuals are invited to call in – no referral necessary, browse our shelves and place whatever items they need in their basket, free of charge. 

We named our compassion hub ‘The Sparrow Centre’, inspired by the verse in Matthew 10, that says not one sparrow will fall to the ground outside the Father’s care. We pray for every individual, every family that comes through our door. We wanted to show our Larne and Antrim Coast community, through practical support, that we passionately care for them and that not one person is forgotten by God.”

We love hearing how churches are practically stepping out to love and support their communities! If you have a story that you’d like to share, please email [email protected]