A CHURCH minister from Wellington has met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at a Community Champions reception in Number 10 Downing Street.

The Rev Sam Griffiths, from Wellington Baptist Church, was at the event on Wednesday (March 22) in recognition of the work of Wellington Warm Refuge.

The initiative was set up in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

Since October last year, the hall in the South Street church opens every Thursday from 9.30am until 7pm to people to access a warm place, meet and interact with others.

A hot lunch of dinner is provided by a rota of volunteers.

Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, who nominated the Rev Griffiths, said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to invite Revd. Sam Griffiths to the Community Champions event at No 10 Downing Street in recognition of all the hard work he and the army of volunteers running the Wellington Warm Refuge are doing in the heart of Wellington, providing a hot meal and a relaxed place to meet with others.

“When I visited recently, I could see what a valuable service this is providing for many people who are finding times challenging and I wanted this to be recognised and to say a big thank you to everyone involved.”