A community project in the heart of Grimsby’s East Marsh has spent almost three decades supporting local residents through their Oasis Garden – a thriving community space where plants and vegetables are grown for sale at affordable prices.
Twenty-six years ago, the Grimsby Neighbourhood Church decided to move into the community and start Your Place on Wellington Street as “an expression of love to the people of the East Marsh and beyond.”
It now welcomes more than 10,000 visitors each year.
The minister’s wife, Chris Taylor, became the driving force behind the project. She spoke to Gi Grimsby News about the initiative, which has spanned the last quarter-century.
‘Your Place’ is used by a variety of people and currently has 60 volunteers working there. Chris says, “the volunteers are at the heart of what we do; we’ve actually got a waiting list. That’s fantastic, isn’t it? I love it.”
Chris explained how ‘Your Place’ began, stating that the church decided they wanted to move out of the church building and make connections in the community.
It began with a survey of 100 people, which was used to “get a feel of what was needed.”
Your Place used to be a ceramic workshop and has been transformed into what it is today. Since then, it has worked extensively with local people who have fallen on the wrong side of the law or struggled with life’s challenges. The joy this brings Chris and those she has worked with is clear to see.
Chris said, “We worked with four or five people at a time, almost one-to-one work. I was helping people to just enjoy being with other people, and you know, sort of relaxing.”
Chris remembers teaching a father who could not read. She recalls that after some support, he was able to read a children’s book to his son. She said, “He was buzzing, and he came back the next week, and he said, I’ve bought another book. He was spending quality time with his son.”
“We didn’t ever want anyone to feel this was a church,” Chris explained. “This is about people in the community. At the back of it is love. It’s about being part of the community, loving the community, and doing those things that it needs, and never charging for anything. If you charge, you’re not a community, you’re an organisation.”
Your Place does not receive a penny in funding from taxpayers or the council. Instead, it raises funds through donations, their Oasis Garden, and writing bids for funding.
“People come whenever they want to come; and for as long as they want to,” Chris added. “There’s no cut-off time because we’ve got people that have been coming here for 20 years. Some people might come, and they need a little bit of support for a certain time. Some people in the garden might come and they manage to find a job, which is wonderful.”
Roy Horobin
Joined the Gi Grimsby News team in 2025.