Volunteers in action: Rev Richard Martin’s contribution to Hunts Grove

Rev Richard Martin has been volunteering with Sportily for the last three years. He is the vicar of Hardwicke, Elmore and Longney churches in a benefice which also includes Hunts Grove (a new build housing estate, that has been expanding since 2010 and is still growing to this day).

Sportily has been present in Hunts Grove for the last three years and has run sessions such as, community sports sessions, youth hangouts, Pilates classes, after school clubs, youth Alpha as well all-age community events such as a community café, sweaty/messy church and a community carol service which was the very first act of public worship in Hunts Grove.

He shares: "It has been great to see developing respect from and co-operation with the school and the Parish Council on Hunts Grove, leading to Remembrance day ceremonies, Community carol services, breakfasts and other events."

Richard is without doubt a true blessing to the work we do in Hunts Grove, being the vicar who oversees a community which is in his parish, but does not have a church, can be a daunting task.

”Sportily has for the last three years brought an irrepressible zest for life and faith onto the huge new Hunts Grove estate in Hardwicke parish, where community facilities are very limited".

Richard’s love, care and eagerness to connect with the residents in Hunts Grove has enabled Sportily to build a now well-established connection and relationships with the school, local authorities such as the Hunts Grove Parish Council and with the community itself. Richard’s #giveitago attitude and willingness to throw himself wholeheartedly into the events we run, as well as sharing his experience in pioneering the start of ‘a new worshipping community’ has been invaluable.

"I have been thrilled to see the way their initial contact with young people has developed into long-term engagements and support, and recently into a Youth Alpha course."

Over the time we've spent together, Richard and I have shared joy and frustration about what God is allowing us to do in Hunts Grove. But we have always done it all with a smile, a joke (normally at my expense) and a biscuit and cuppa, of course. I see Richard as not just ‘a volunteer’ but a friend and brother in Christ.

So at Sportily, we want to celebrate Rev Richard Martin as someone who makes us better, who challenges us from a place a love, and who shows us how to love and care for a new community whilst looking after three existing churches too. Richard, thank you, and we celebrate you always, my friend.

A huge thank you to all our volunteers — from young leaders to long-standing legends — for the energy, heart and dedication you bring to Sportily. You make everything we do possible, and we’re so proud to have you as part of the team!

If you’d like to find out more about volunteering — whether it’s helping at one-off community events, supporting weekly sessions, or simply bringing a friendly face and a cuppa, we’d love to hear from you! Click here to find out how you can get involved.