It’s been just over three months since Debbie Wilkinson was appointed to the new role as Mission Lead for the huge development project called Wirral Waters, in Birkenhead. We visit Debbie to find out more.
Wirral Waters is a massive regeneration project at the top of the Wirral, on the left bank of the River Mersey that has planning consent for 13000 new homes, which will attract thousands of people, businesses and job opportunities to the area. It’s the largest development project of its kind outside of London, and for the Diocese of Chester, it presents a fantastic opportunity to support the emerging community of Wirral Waters and to welcome people new into church life.
Prior to starting her role at Wirral Waters, Debbie, was a curate at Christ the King in Birkenhead. Upon completing her curacy, she was appointed as associate minister at the same church, a position that she still holds. At the beginning of this year, Debbie applied for the newly created role of Mission Lead for Wirral Waters, largely funded by the National Church of England, and was successful in her application.
Peter Froggatt, Director of the Outreach department for the Diocese of Chester, who sat on the selection panel, says “We recognised that Debbie was a great fit for the role. Her energy, ideas and willingness to engage are exactly the kind of qualities needed to build a new worshipping community in a rapidly developing area.”
Debbie has been in her role since Easter. During this time, she has moved into a house in the new development and has been getting to know the residents, workers, and students of the development. She has also planted the seeds of a worshipping community, in a building right on the water’s edge, use of, kindly donated by Peel, the developers of the Wirral Waters project.
In the video below, Debbie explains a little about her progress so far. During the course of the coming months, we hope to video her again to see what exciting progress she has made.
For more information on the Wirral Waters worshipping community, Debbie can be contacted by phone on 07900 561400