History
The Homestead Trust is a charitable organisation run by Jane and Paul Walker.
Jane and Paul are based in the Epping Forest area of Essex, where they have lived since 1990. They have been married for over thirty years and have four adult sons.
Paul has been in ordained ministry for over 25 years. He is a Chaplain for West Essex NHS PCT, based at St.Margaret’s Hospital in Epping. He also has a Mental Health Nursing degree and is an RMN employed by The North Essex Foundation Partnership Trust as a CPN for people in crisis situations. He is currently the Chair of the West Essex Mind & Spirit Group. Paul was appointed as the Minister of Epping Green Chapel in March 2010.
Jane is a graduate midwife and RGN. She is currently employed by the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust as team co-ordinator for a team caring for vulnerable women and is a supervisor of midwives. She leads the Worship and women's ministry at Epping Green Chapel. She has a singing ministry and is producing a charity CD is hoped to be ready at the end of 2011 start of 2012.
For many years the couple have been involved in local and international aid projects.
In December 2008 they visited a project running at Hawane farm in Swaziland and were invited back to work there from May 2009. They worked at Hawane Farm until mid March 2010. Hawane Farm is a centre running a children’s orphanage , hospice , addiction centre , training project and women’s refuge.
Paul & Jane took a team back to Swaziland in November 2010 and whilst there were able to attend the graduation of Nokutle , the swazi lady , who was sponsored for her nursing training.
They continue to lead activities in local schools and hospitals.
Jane is currently recording a CD , with the help of family & friends , with the help of Ross at woodbury recording studios.
Paul & Jane are involved in new & ongoing projects -
Please see Projects page for more details.
Please see Projects page for more details.
CD Recording -
Enormous thanks to all those who are joining Jane in the making of the CD including Sue Packer , Laura Packer , Paul Walker , Steve Walker , Bethan Walker , Tony Perry & Lucy Hewes . Thanks also to Ross Simpson at Woodbury studios for all his expertise, patience and encouragement in the recording and editing of this Charity CD.
Mission Support- Gratefull thanks -
Jane and Paul were granted unpaid special leave from their varied Health Authorities from May 2009 – April 1st 2010. Their years costs for flights , accommodation , food , transport 4x4 etc amounted to just under £20,000. They have been very blessed by the amazingly generous gifts and pledges made by individuals and Churches combining with their own personal donations to cover these costs. GOD BLESS YOU & THANK YOU ( YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!)
Books for Africa - Swaziland 2009
Jane and Paul planned to take a library of 1,000 books from Epping for a community library in Swaziland . The library being based at Hawane Farm with a portable element so that it is available to the surrounding community. A smaller medical library was also gathered. During preparations Paul’s mother Marion Walker died suddenly and the family decided to dedicate the library to her memory.
Donation points for book collection were set up at St.Margarets & Princess Alexandra Hospital, 2nd Chapter ,local churches & schools.The target of 1,000 books was doubled through generous local donations and over 2,000 new and good as new books were collected and sent.
The books were unloaded organised and set up as an ongoing community library.
Transport Thanks –
Thanks for the generous financial donations from individual Epping Churches , Churches Together , Rotary and individual givers. Thanks to Pretlove Removal Company for the boxes . Thanks to Ken Hill Freight and other shippers , a very special thanks to Allport Cargo services (Durban) who very generously wrote off fees of nearly 350 pounds!!
Library Building –
The library originally would have had to find space in one of the farm buildings but then members of Birmingham Christian Centre (BCC) took up the challenge. They ordered a purpose made building , they carried out an amazing fundraising programme in Birmingham through their Church. They raised in excess of £6,000!!! A team from the Church Wendy Brown , Dein , Misha and Sanelle then travelled out and along with other work at the centre helped varnish and finish construction of the building! God Bless you !! Amazing!
Charity - 251549
