Churches in Twyford, Ruscombe and Hurst have appointed a Children and Families Worker who will support and encourage youngsters throughout all three parishes.
The role has been taken up by Ele Buckley, who lives in Charvil and has been worshipping at St Mary’s in Twyford since 2011 when she and husband Steven moved to Twyford from West Acton.
Born in Cornwall, Ele gained a degree in English at Cambridge University and later met her husband when they both worked for Christian Aid in London.
Since moving to the area she has been part of a team running the Trailblazers and Explorers groups for young members of the congregation at St Mary’s on Sundays.
She has also been working as a fundraiser at the Reading-based charity Launchpad for the past six years.
Through her role in Launchpad Ele has become a well-known visitor to schools in the area, including Shinfield’s Leighton Park and Caversham Primary and also the Piggott and Colleton schools in Twyford. Community fundraising has seen her become involved with bodies such as the Women’s Institute in Henley.
Her work organising local events for Launchpad included the annual carol service at Reading Minster and the Big Sleep Out at Queen Anne’s School in Caversham.
