RESIDENTS of South Oxford are being asked what they would like to see in their newly developed church.

St Luke’s Church, in Canning Crescent, is currently going through a major redevelopment, due to finish in October.

Now the church is getting together volunteers to go out door to door in the community to ask people what things they would like to do there, what new activities should be introduced and how they see the church.

The Rev Jane Sherwood said: “We have done quite a few surveys of various things in the past to try and make sure that the community is aware of St Luke's and also has an input into what happens in it.”

The £500,000 extension of the church will mean it has an extra room and a properly equipped kitchen, opening it up to more activities.

Mrs Sherwood said: “It does function as a community centre as well as a church and we just think it is a good time, while the building is actually being built, to ask people what they would like to see when it opens.”

Regular activities at the church include a baby and toddler group called Babymania, Monday Club for five- to eight-year-olds, Monday Plus for nine- to 12-year-olds, Wednesday drop-in sessions for mainly older people and Youth Space, an evening youth club for 13- to 18-year-olds.

Mrs Sherwood said: “There is a sense of isolation among some of the people in the area. We had thought about having social events that could be available.

“In the past we have run reminiscence groups which have been quite successful, also we wondered about running courses for people in things like IT.”

She said issues such as family break-up and debt could be problems in the area, and she hoped to come up with some support activities to help people who might be suffering with such issues.

The volunteers are hoping to visit each of the 400 households in the parish area between July and August to get their thoughts.

Once the data is gathered, the plan is to analyse responses and see what ideas come forward, with the plan being to start with some activities when the church reopens, and roll others out in the following months While the work, which started in February, is carried out, the church is meeting at South Oxford Christian Centre, in Wytham Street.

Anyone who would like to help with the survey, or who has any thoughts about potential activities, should contact Mrs Sherwood on 01865 251616.