Fountain of Life church group asks Swaffham Town Council to continue lease of The Barn

A “modern and charismatic” church submitted its bid to keep leasing a council-owned venue to continue supporting families in the area.

The Fountain of Life church, which is based inside The Barn in Swaffham, has asked the town council to renew its lease, which expires in October.

One of the church’s founders, Paul Wilkinson, attended Swaffham’s full council meeting last Wednesday, where he told councillors about how The Barn has become a “vibrant hub” in the town.

“The Fountain of Life has loved being at The Barn. We would very much like to continue being there,” he said.

At the venue, the church runs a popular parent and toddler group, theatre productions, youth drop-ins and sessions for those with special additional needs.

It also holds warm space sessions throughout the year, even in warm weather, to battle loneliness and isolation in the town.

“There are a lot of people struggling with mental health issues,” Paul said.

“One lady came to me and said, ‘Thank you for saving my life’. She has made friends since moving to the town.”

They also recently held an event, titled “Who Let the Dads Out”, for fathers to bond with young children through insects.

The council will soon deliberate on whether or not to continue the lease.