CHURCHES from different denominations are joining together to bring community spirit back to a deprived housing estate.

St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Parish of the Risen Lord have got together with other local groups to fund two workers to co-ordinate Callon Care - an initiative aimed at improving life on Fishwick's Callon estate.

Callon Care co-ordinator Sarah Riley-Evans said she hoped to make radical changes on the estate.

She said: "The Callon estate, in common with many other inner city areas, has, over recent years, seen huge changes.

"High levels of unemployment, isolated families with young children, lots of single parents and the elderly struggling with low incomes makes life tough for this community."

She added: "Some of the housing needs refurbishing and rebuilding, and plans are in hand for some areas of the estate.

"There is a great deal of isolation and apathy among the community but there are residents who want changes.

"We aim to encourage these people and help generate a sense of community spirit."

Sarah is based at the local Fishwick Housing offices, where she works alongside Avril Hilton, the project's family support worker.

They are hoping to launch several schemes in the near future, working with local tenants association FACT.

A commissioning service for the team is to be held on June 16 at St Theresa's, in Church Avenue, and will involve both the Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths.

A meeting will follow the service and members of the public are invited.

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