The schools work arm of the Barking Dagenham and Ilford Methodist Circuit (known as the Religious Education Resources Project) has been able to resource a local school with nine laptops through an initiative with the Samaritans Purse Charity. The laptops and tablets, funded by the Billy Graham Evangelist Association, partnered with the Samaritans purse Charity, were for families in need of devices for home schooling, but required a partner church to enable the gift. By becoming a partner with the Samaritans Purse, the BDI Circuit enabled this gift to proceed and the school was delighted to have closer links with both the schools project and the Circuit.

This has been a wonderful opportunity for the Circuit to do something positive during lockdown and there is a further possibility of helping other schools in a similar way in the future.

The Religious Education Resources Project has served local schools within the BDI Circuit for 19 years and has continued to provide schools with Zoom sessions about Christianity during lockdown when school visits were not possible.  Please see the RERP website for further information at www.rerp-methodist-church.org.uk