God at work in Hampshire County Council - Michelle Morris tells the story
In October 2025, my line manager refused my initial request to start an official Christian Network at Hampshire County Council (HCC). Initially surprised, as there are several other official Networks, I accepted the challenge!
Greatly supported by Transform Work, I decided to informally grow a dormant Viva Engage social group on the Council’s intranet to see what interest there might be for an official staff Network. This group has now grown from 2 to 55 in 6 months, which is so encouraging, especially for colleagues who had no idea that there were other Christians in their workplace.
We have started prayer on TEAMs once a fortnight and we now regularly see 4-12 colleagues joining us. Some comments have been:
"it’s wonderful to hear after my 2yrs at HCC that there’s a Christian group"
"thank you for this, it’s so nice to connect with other Christians’ …we are all coming out the woodwork!"
As a way to advertise our informal group and reach out to our colleagues, we had two Easter initiatives – one was the
Transform Work Easter Quiz which went out to over 3000 HCC colleagues. I also asked and amazingly received permission to place an Easter basket in HCC’s HQ. Praise to God for this favour!
I had no idea what the reception or appetite would be as this is our first outreach. Permission was granted to place 1 Easter basket by the tea/coffee ‘stirrings’ opposite the cafe. The basket was filled with 25 ‘Why Easter’ Alpha booklets & other Christian literature together with around 150 mini eggs. We had the basket there for 1 week and colleagues topped up the eggs during the week. At the end over 30 leaflets were taken and a lot of chocolate! There was a really positive response.
We are so encouraged and will be praying for the 30+ colleagues who will be reading about how much God loves them. Seeds sown.
One of my HCC colleagues was also having an Easter basket at his office for which he has gained support from Winchester Vineyard church.
Motivated by this initial outreach, we can now spur each other on to keep going throughout the year.
I have been discussing with Louise at Winchester City Council how we could run a harvest festival / thanksgiving event to support our local food bank and a joint Hampshire County Council & Winchester City Council Christmas service. With local government reorganisation plans moving forward, this could be a great opportunity to showcase to senior leadership teams the benefits of collaborating across the Councils and how our Christian colleagues can make such a positive contribution to the values and goals of the Council.
The next goal to is grow the Viva Engage group ‘Christians at HCC’ from 55 to 100 – at which stage I feel that we will have a real business case to present to seek permission for an official HCC Christian Network. Please do pray with us for wisdom and favour as we keep stepping forward in faith.
Following the initial setback with her manager refusing permission to set up a group, Michelle asked for prayer from Christians in other Councils who are part of the
Local Authorities’ Christian Network group. She then shared regular WhatsApp updates with the group...
20 Oct 2025
Just had our first chat & pray via TEAMs with 3 Christian work colleagues! Agreed to do this every 2wks!! & they said they would try & invite others to viva engage Grp
19 Nov 2025
Hampshire - just getting started - up to 7 on our viva engage Grp - just started meeting to pray every 2 wks on TEAMS - 3 of us this wk but v encouraging
25 Nov 2025
I had a mtg with other network leads yesterday which was helpful (albeit they pushed a multi faith network idea) however they gave the green light to advertise my viva engage Christian Grp yesterday to ´all company’ & overnight it’s gone from 7 to 14 people!!!
26 Nov 2025
So encouraged with our fledgling group - now up to 20! Have rec’d emails saying : ´great to find after 18 months at HCC there’s a Christian grp’ ,´it’s wonderful to hear after 2yrs at HCC that there’s a Christian grp’ ´thank you for this, it’s so nice to connect with other Christian’s’ …we are all coming out the woodwork!’
27 Jan 2026
I rec’d permission to add the Easter quiz to our all HCC viva engage Grp for ´all company’ ! Am waiting for answer about Easter baskets in reception
our little Grp now up to 39 & had 12 on our prayer TEAMs call today
thank you Lord!!
5 March 2026
I just got permission to put an Easter basket in the Hampshire county council Winchester HQ opp the cafe by the coffee stirrers / sugars etc in the main walkway where everyone goes past!!!
17 March 2026
Happy St Patrick’s day - added a post on viva engage this morning - bit of history about St Patrick - his use of shamrock to explain the Trinity / being a slave / missionary / campaigner against slavery & example of forgiveness - had some positives responses so far just keep sowing the seeds
| A report on the Barclays Christian Forum Easter event |
| The Christian Staff Network joined with the Black Professionals Network of Barclays in Canary Wharf to arrange an event: 'Easter - The Passion'. Key leaders spoke of their faith |
| Elizabeth recently attended the Christians in Government Easter service in Westminster. John Kirkby of CAP brought reflections and told how God has used CAP to help many |
| Sefton Council CWG looks outwards and holds an Alpha course together with nearby groups and provides Easter eggs for council employees |
| The Sefton Council Christian Workplace Group put on a varied Easter display for staff at the Council - as suggested by their Personnel Manager! |
| Easter is on it's way... what a great opportunity to share the heart of Christianity - Jesus' Death, Resurrection and Ascension. Here are some ideas. Do let us know if you are planning something new. |
| And the winner recieves a The Real Easter Egg from the meaningful chocolate company? |
| WOW - it's been amazing to discover so many brilliant activities and initiatives from Christian Workplace Groups who with permission from management have shared the Good News of Jesus with all staff whatever faith or non faith. |
| We wanted to do something different and memorable and fun that would last. Easter eggs get eaten and forgotten... |
| Literally just got all of the sites to pay for hot cross buns for everyone.
I’m hoping to draft a message with details of the churches closest to the offices and get that promoted. |
| Meryl explains the periods of prayer and fasting that the PwC Christian Network as arranged through Advent and Lent |
| A Christian Workplace Group offers an example of supporting a local charity through the proceeds of an Easter service
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| President Richard Waller of Christians in Library and Information Services, shares his resolute thoughts on Easter and the Coronavirus |
| A fine example of all faiths coming together to the benefit of the company occurred at Rolls Royce in Derby, where staff gather to remember the recent atrocities in Sri Lanka |