Sunday, the 23rd of August, saw The Well host a blessed ‘Back to School Service’, in which free school supplies, including backpacks, pens, geometry sets, and a free Bible, were bestowed upon a multitude of South Norwood schoolchildren, equipping them physically and spiritually for the upcoming school year.

The aim of the initiative was to do three things:

1. Show the love of Jesus through action, not just preach about Him.

2. Offer practical support to families in need, recognising the rise in the cost of living.

3. Pray for and bless the children, for their safety as they return to school this year, and for their success in their studies.

The planning team worked tirelessly to acquire sponsorship and support from local businesses and anyone willing to aid the community. We would like to take the opportunity to thank Tesco Express South Norwood Hill and All Saints Church of England Primary School for their sponsorship through donated items and venue hire.

The initiative was advertised by distributing flyers across South Norwood, Croydon, Thornton Heath, Upper Norwood, and Crystal Palace, Premier Christian Radio during their news bulletin, our social media platforms, and word of mouth. This collective effort resulted in approximately. £700 being raised through the donations of all who supported and facilitated the initiative, with the blessing of Christ.

Special thanks to all of our donors from near and far  with your help we were able to prepare 45 backpack sets for our community with registrations from families  in the local area. We were able to donate secondary school bags to the DePaul UK (youth homeless charity providing emergency accommodation and shelter for young people facing homelessness across the UK), while others will be donated to South Norwood Community Kitchen (provides free food, essential goods, social spaces, and support services to local residents, families, and anyone in the community facing poverty, isolation, or crisis) and Croydon Council’s children’s social services (protects, supports, and cares for vulnerable children, young people, and families in the borough) demonstrating the wider community connections that the initiative created.  

The service itself was led by The Well’s youth, a choice specifically made to centre young people in Christ’s message and set an example of service for any incoming visitors. This portion contained an exhortation from Matthew 6:22 on the importance of prioritising Jesus in our everyday walk, a message that all young people can carry with them throughout this school year in order to remain focused on Jesus.

In addition, a series of declarations emphasised the importance of choosing God’s way above all else: choosing obedience over disobedience, choosing strength over weakness, choosing life over death, and finally, and most importantly, choosing Jesus.

Vibrant musical ministry from The Well’s youngest members, featuring the song ‘Praise (The Lord O My Soul)’ by Elevation, shook the service and got everyone on their feet, rejoicing and thanking God for His blessings. Everyone put the words of the song into action.

A highlight of the service for many was the interactive quiz, which blended general and biblical knowledge questions, including, ‘What’s the tallest animal?’ and ‘Who watched Moses as he drifted down the Nile?’ The quiz was so successful that a tiebreak had to commence, demonstrating the knowledge and engagement of the youth.

Our pastor encouraged us from Acts 3:1-11, where Peter and John heal a man who had been lame from birth as he begged at the temple gate called Beautiful. Although the man expected money, he received something far greater, a reminder that while we often focus on our financial needs, God knows what we truly need spiritually, and in this case, the man received his healing.

At the end of the service, the pastor and officers gathered to pray over the children in attendance as they prepare to return to school. They prayed for the children’s safety, that no harm would come to them, and that they would excel in every area of their lives and studies.

This year’s Back to School Service, is a reminder that God’s provision extends far beyond what we could plan or expect. What began as an initiative to bless local schoolchildren became a wider testament to community, generosity, and faith in action. We give thanks to God for every donor, sponsor, and volunteer who made this possible, and we look forward to continuing this work as we walk alongside our community in the years to come.

Photo Gallery