Village Church Alberton: Creating a
Safer, More Welcoming Space
for Young Families.
“Working within a not-for-profit space can often mean lots of passion and plans, but limited resources for action. Through the support of UC Invest, we have a greater capacity to bring our passion for people to life, growing relationships and connect across our broader community, through practical solutions.”
Village Church Alberton is a growing congregation in Adelaide’s inner northwest, led by Pastor Simon Story alongside his wife, Leesa. Over recent years, the church has experienced significant growth, particularly among young families seeking a welcoming, community-focused place to belong.
At the heart of this growth is the church’s play café. A space designed not only for children to play, but for parents and carers to connect. The café has become a valued community hub, offering local families an affordable, relaxed environment where relationships can form naturally.
As the café’s popularity increased, so did the practical challenges of maintaining a comfortable and safe space for children. Extreme temperatures during warmer and colder months made the play area uncomfortable and, at times, unsuitable for young families. Ensuring children’s wellbeing became a priority.
With the support of a UC Invest backed grant, Village Church Alberton was able to install air conditioning units in the play area, creating a safe, temperature-controlled environment that families can enjoy year-round. The grant also enabled the church to refresh the outdoor play space, keeping the area safe and fun for children to play freely.
Building on this momentum, the church is now taking the next step in making the most of its facilities. A newly approved grant will fund the construction of a partition wall within the play area, allowing the space to be used in a greater variety of ways as the ministry continues to grow.
Pastor Simon says the ongoing support from UC Invest has been instrumental in enabling these improvements. “Working within a not-for-profit space can often mean lots of passion and plans, but limited resources for action. Through the support of UC Invest, we have a greater capacity to bring our passion for people to life, growing relationships and connect across our broader community, through practical solutions”
Through strategic investment and practical support, Village Church Alberton continues to strengthen its role as a safe, welcoming place where young families can connect, belong, and thrive.
