Dear Tom & the team at Croydon Vineyard,

I wanted to write to you in light of the recently announced news that Boon will be closing.

I am a Mum of two, neighbour to Boon, and an employee here. I was, as you might expect, heartbroken to hear that Boon has to close. As was its intention, Boon has been a Godsend for me and my family, and I know so many others who feel the same.

We are here multiple times a week, and have taken part in everything that Boon has to offer - from baby massage to family parties. My 3 year old daughter regularly tells me, “When I grow up I want to work at Boon”. Boon held us through the hardest season of my life, losing my Mum just weeks after my little boy was born. This is just my story but I know of countless others who see this place as a haven.

With depression and anxiety so common amongst parents, I have been proud to witness the social support that Boon provides. I have heard so many people saying that Boon has been a lifeline. We are compiling stories from customers and friends of Boon which we can share with you in due course.

I really believe that God has been at work through Boon. Families who might never step into a church have found community, safety, and hope here. This simple act of hospitality has been a clear demonstration that we actually practice what we preach, loving our neighbour with the generosity and kindness of Jesus.

So we wanted to say thank you for giving Georgina the space to make Boon. She has created something quite magnificent here and I hope you are as proud as I am to have been a part of it. She has carefully and lovingly crafted a space where people feel safe and known. She has facilitated a space where people can find their village. I know Georgina’s aim was to combat loneliness, especially in early parenthood, and that is exactly what she has done. She is on to a really good thing here.

The potential is huge. It’s not just young families who could benefit from a space like this. Unlike many cafes and community spaces, Boon is accessible and inclusive. It could be a safe space for so many who might not feel welcome elsewhere.

I didn’t want Boon to close without you knowing what a blessing it has been. Our customers and friends have been reeling since they heard the news and everyone keeps asking what they can do to help. Many have signed this letter in agreement, because we really want Boon to continue. I know Georgina is absolutely exhausted but I am hopeful that there are alternative ways to make this work longterm.

Thank you for reading this. I hope you can see how loved Boon is. We are praying that however this space is used next it would continue to be a blessing to our community.

Yours,

Ellie Giles