30 July 2025

A look at what’s been going on at Church on the Street in July:

Building Bridges Through Learning

Dear friends,

Building Bridges Through Learning: Church on the Street’s Educational Mission Gathers Momentum

The educational arm of Church on the Street (COTS) is growing—and exciting new conversations are shaping our vision for education, research, and long‑term community change.

Recently, Bishop Mick Fleming and Pastor Emma Daggers were warmly welcomed to St Cuthbert’s Society, Durham University, by Professor Tammi Walker and Dr Matthew Mills, for an inspiring roundtable supper hosted by Ms Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham.

This special evening gathered academics, students, and community leaders around one table for open, honest conversations about poverty, addiction, trauma, and recovery.

✨ Bishop Mick and Pastor Emma shared from the heart—their lived experiences and the pioneering work of COTS, including our unique, integrated approach to recovery and social justice.
✨ Together, the group explored how research and education can fuel real‑world change, deepening understanding of the systemic issues faced by those experiencing homelessness, poverty, and addiction.

This visit is part of COTS’s growing commitment to education and knowledge‑sharing.
Through our Exodus Project and Recovery Academy, we already provide structured learning, life‑skills training, and peer mentorship rooted in lived experience. Now, we’re exploring exciting partnerships with academic institutions like Durham University to shape research directly informed by community voices.

“Real change happens when people from all walks of life listen to each other. This is just the beginning—we’re excited about the possibilities.”
— Bishop Mick Fleming

“Education isn’t just about books and lectures—it’s about lived experience, honesty, and being brave enough to speak truth to power in order to change. We’re passionate about bringing those worlds together.”
— Pastor Emma Daggers

🌱 Watch this space—exciting collaborations are on the horizon as COTS continues to bridge the gap between grassroots action and academic research.

Thank you for standing with us in this mission to bring hope, knowledge, and lasting change to the communities we serve.

With gratitude,
The Church on the Street Team

Dignity in Dying?

In July Pastor Mick spoke on a panel at the Pendleside Hospice’s Annual End of Life Conference titled; The Legal & Ethical Aspects of Dying.

The question and answer session was titled; “Public Funerals” and gave an opportunity for healthcare workers to ask questions about the logistics of the process to a member of the council, Pastor Mick and a member of the Pendleside Hospice team.

Pastor Mick shared about the reality of Public Funerals describing what happens as a “postcode lottery” which is driven by where you die. In some areas, you may get music and a service, in others, simply a direct cremation.

The reality was shocking to the whole room who are a group of professionals who do their best to provide dignity and respect at the end of a person’s life.

At COTS we aim to give dignity to all, both in life, and in death. Pastor Mick does not charge families a fee for taking the funeral of a loved one.

The COTS team held a stall at Pendleside’s Marketplace to raise awareness for the work we do and develop partnerships with delegates at the conference.

Continuing the Campaign

Our very own Clara, soon to be pastor, has been campaigning against the IPP sentence, here she is showing off the new T-Shirts to raise more awareness of the injustice these prisoners are facing.

Artwork on the T-shirt is by high-profile prisoners Charles Bronson and Joe Outlaw. Joe Outlaw was in court this week for the protesting the IPP sentence on the roof of Strangeways prison last year.

Even high profile prisoners understand how unjust this sentence is.

The Fifth Exodus Begins

This month we have a fifth round of the Exodus Programme starting, there have been 22 graduates to date.

There are nine members making great headway into the programme and we are seeing great breakthroughs in both sobriety and faith.

Watch this space for exciting updates.

Sewing to Eradicate Child Poverty

The lovely ladies you see pictured above and the Women of Worth group have been diligently working away making these bags of hope to sell in aid of eradicating child poverty in the local area.

Thank you to all the volunteers involved for all your hard work and love that has gone into making these lovely gifts.

A great big Thank You

Thank you to students of St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy, Blackburn, for their fantastic donation to Church on the Street.

During their “Love Thy Neighbour Week,” Bishop Mick visited the school to talk about the work we do. As well as the toiletries and clothes donated, one student had raised an amazing £405.

We feel truly blessed, and look forward to blessing others.