Helping Hands support group evicted from church hall accused of "causing significant problems" (2025)

THE Helping Hands Changing Lives CIC support group has been evicted from St Benedicts Club at Orford after being accused of “causing significant problems.”

The group, was which was set up during the pandemic to help support vulnerable people, has now been left homeless and seeking new premises.

It follows an email received late last Tuesday afternoon from the solicitor of the Archdiocese of Liverpool stating that Helping Hands Changing Lives CIC had registered their address as St Benedicts Club without permission and were using the club in excess of an agreement.

In a joint statement Helping Hands Changing Lives CIC directors Carol Kilgannon, Pam Queeney and Stephen Murphy said: “This came as an almighty shock to us.
“The email stated that we had caused significant problems for the parish, including loss of business and a number of complaints regarding parking. The issues with parking are evident whether we were using the club or not.
“The priest said we were costing them money and losing bookings because we are there all the time. This is simply untrue. Any bookings or funerals that come in for a Tuesday or a Thursday while our warm spaces are on have ALWAYS taken priority, and we have either changed our days or cancelled our events.
“In October Carol sat with the priest and explained we had received funding, and we were in a position to pay a room hire fee. His words at the time were ‘Not everything is about making money.’ He went on to say that since we have been in the club he is no longer a foodbank, and the service we have created was bringing a real community buzz to the area, and his parishioners were really enjoying the sessions and the day trips as they are accessible and affordable. The issue of car parking was raised and Carol regularly asked people to walk or car share if it was feasible.
“We then spoke about us making St Benedicts our permanent home and he asked if we could mirror what we are doing in his two other clubs, and Carol agreed. The meeting was so positive Carol came out feeling like we had the same vision and goals.
“With the kindness of the priest and the club, we decided off our own backs to create events like soul nights, Turkey and Tinsel parties, all filling the room and making a lot of money over the bar, which was our way of giving back. These events made a significant amount of money from the bar for the club.
“Since January Carol has been trying to get a meeting with the Priest to work out arrangements to go and see the other clubs. We had been asked by the office to provide a newsletter with all our events on so they can advertise and promote them on their parish noticeboard.
“To then receive this email from a solicitor, demanding we leave straightaway and are not giving us the opportunity to plead our case has left us confused and shocked.
“We have events booked in for the next 6 months, and we still don’t know if we can go ahead with them. We have been informed that we have one week to remove our equipment etc from the club.
“We have had to inform people our warm, safe spaces have been cancelled for the foreseeable future until we can find a space big enough to accommodate 90+ people. The responses we have had on social media demonstrate how popular the warm hubs are and the other activities we provide. The activities have been a lifeline for many people who have mental health issues or are socially isolated. Many strong friendships have been developed from our groups. People bring family members that have disabilities and it provides some respite for the carers for a few hours.
“Warrington Voluntary Action are supporting Helping Hands Changing Lives in looking for alternative arrangements.
“We would also like to add this is not the end for Helping Hands Changing Lives CIC, our events and sessions are always well attended and sellout nights, that proves that our services are needed and wanted within our community.”
The Archdiocese of Liverpool responded by saying: “Helping Hands CIC was given temporary permission to access St Benedict’s Social Club for two lunchtimes per week.
“The group has been accessing the club in excess of what was agreed, which has led to significant problems for the parish, including the inability to access parish groups and meetings, disruptions in the running of the parish centre, as well as a significant number of complaints to the local council and police about parking from residents.
“Helping Hands also registered as a CIC with Companies House, using the parish centre address as its registered office without the consent of the archdiocese.
“We appreciate the work carried out by Helping Hands, but the extent of its use has surpassed what was agreed and what we could agree to.
“It is clear that it needs a premises of its own that it can use on a more permanent basis. Unfortunately, we cannot offer that.
“While use for third-party community groups for short periods each week is manageable, with appropriate contribution towards our costs as we are a charity ourselves, it was clear this group needed much more than that.
“We wish the group the best of luck with finding a new home.”