Other Projects within the Oxford Diocese

In Oxford Diocese Mothers’ Union branches undertake a wide variety of tasks both in churches and in the wider community, including prisons. Work undertaken ranges from organising Pram Services and welcoming families who bring babies for Baptism, to Fair Trade Projects. Lots of branches make Happy Bags sometimes called toy bags or quiet bags, for young children attending services in church, often containing MU leaflets or prayer cards for parents to read; “Children in Church”, or “Children and Spirituality". To maintain their long standing reputation for making excellent tea and cake many branches help with catering for fêtes and other occasions as well (including receptions after funerals).

Others run Mother and Toddler Groups, and help in Community Cafés or Day Centres and lunch clubs for older people. Henley Branch's First Time Mums project, especially for new mothers who are adjusting to their new role, has been a great success too.

On the practical side, among other things MU members knit and sew for premature babes in hospital and collect toiletry items for people who are admitted unexpectedly to Accident and Emergency departments with no time to collect a sponge bag; they also put together bags for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence and seek shelter in Women's Refuges.

Most also raise funds – for "Away From It All" holidays for families in Oxford Diocese who could not otherwise afford them, and for overseas projects which are run by the central Mothers’ Union.

With the support of the Chaplaincy at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, over the past year a MU member has been working as a volunteer on one of the children's wards befriending families of sick children. The work is to be extended to other wards and volunteers are being trained to work on this interesting and worthwhile project.