In 2023, members of St Columba’s Church of Scotland in Bridge of Don, Aberdeen noticed that pupils from the academy with which they shared a car park, were using the new picnic benches at the back of the church building. They soon realised that it was a God-given opportunity to form friendships with the pupils.

Three years ago local churches, including Hope Evangelical, were concerned about the lack of Christian youth work in the town and surrounding area of Blairgowrie, Perthshire.  This is the story of how they persevered in prayer and in relationships with schools, managing to start two new SU groups.

A primary school pupil in Angus invited their classmates to visit Central Baptist Church, where Colin Watson and other staff members hosted a fun, welcoming day.

Rev. John R Green, the pastor of Forfar Community Church has been reaching out to Angus primary schools in the east of Scotland for many years, visiting the pupils and reading them his own stories as a way to share Gospel principles and themes of Bible verses, as well as establish relationships with the schools.

The Good Food Project launched as a pilot in March 2025 in a local primary school, inspired by a church member who, during the Covid period, saw firsthand the needs within the community while delivering meals to the elderly. Wanting to begin somewhere simple and practical, the team created Good Food bags—each filled with fresh ingredients and an easy recipe to help families enjoy cooking together at home.

Each year, Strathendrick Baptist Church runs its annual Reflections Room at Balfron High School. The room operates as a prayer space open to pupils and staff throughout the school day, and remains open until 8pm to welcome members of the wider community. Using adapted resources from Prayer Spaces in Schools, the church team sets up a number of prayer stations around the room.

One year ago, three congregations in North Aberdeen took a bold step of faith together. Members from Aberdeen North Parish Church, Sheddocksley Baptist, and Northfield United Free joined hands to launch an Early Intervention Project—a school-based mentoring initiative that’s already transforming young lives and strengthening community bonds.

Fountainhall Church in Aberdeen recently welcomed Junior pupils from St Margaret’s School for Girls, continuing a community link that was re-established last Spring following the pandemic. The monthly gatherings provide a safe, welcoming space for young people and adults to spend time together, play games, read, and explore crafts.

For eleven years, Lesley Ewing has served as a school chaplain with one guiding question: “What can I do to help?” Her role is to be a trusted presence for pupils, families, and staff—living out the gospel through care, relationship, and hope in the midst of today’s challenges in education