Social justice issues were at the top of the agenda at a packed open meeting on Thursday 7th May at the Jubilee Community Centre in East Grinstead.

Iain Duncan Smith MP, former Leader of the Conservative Party and founder of the highly acclaimed Centre for Social Justice, visited the Jubilee Community Centre, which is home of the New Life Church, at the invitation of the Town’s MP, Nicholas Soames, and Pastor Simon Elliott.

Speaking after the meeting Nicholas Soames said; “I was delighted that Mr Duncan-Smith accepted our invitation. He gave the most challenging, stimulating and thought-provoking presentation about the vital work that the Centre is doing to develop and promote innovative and effective approaches to tackling poverty and social exclusion in Britain.”

Pastor Simon Elliott said; “Despite the serious challenges facing us all I was heartened by the positive solutions that the CSJ have identified to reverse social breakdown. The talk gave us all much ‘food for thought’ about ways in which the Jubilee Community Centre could enhance its role in the local community.”

Mr Soames said; “The voluntary sector is the lifeblood of society and this was reflected in the open discussion which covered a wide range of issues from; debt, dependency, family breakdown to mental health and prison services.”

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Photograph – Iain Duncan Smith MP, Pastor Simon Elliott and Nicholas Soames MP

Courtesy of John James O’Brien [Meridian Sports and Events Magazine]