About Us
Our Mission Statement
To empower individuals and families through accessible education, creative skills development, and compassionate support. We are committed to providing opportunities that build confidence, promote independence, and enable people to progress with dignity and purpose.
MENFA’s beginnings date back to the 1970s, when Reverend Charlton Thomas and his wife, Madgerine (Madge) Thomas, were faithfully serving the New Testament Church of God on Angelina Street, a ministry they dedicated over 50 years of their lives to. During this time, they witnessed the growing challenges faced by children and young people in their community. Many lacked the academic support, structure, and positive guidance needed to flourish.
In response, they, along with the faithful congregants, developed early youth and education initiatives that laid the foundation for what would later become MENFA, Mentoring for All.
These early efforts grew into the Vocational Bible School (VBS) in 1982, a pioneering programme offering a safe, nurturing environment where children could learn, gain confidence, and be mentored by caring adults, later changing to Childs Play Summer Scheme. Childs Play quickly became a vital source of support for young people who needed stability, encouragement, and a strong sense of belonging.
As the need for structured mentoring grew, Madge, already a respected nurse-midwife and one of the early champions of mentoring, formalised their vision. In 1997, after completing her Master’s degree in Education with a focus on mentoring, she founded MENFA (Mentoring for All). MENFA built upon the values and success of the earlier programmes, expanding its reach and deepening its focus on academic support, personal development, and positive role modelling.
Madge’s compassionate leadership helped countless young people develop self-belief and achieve academically, many going on to succeed in higher education and professional careers. Rev. Thomas continued to guide and shape programmes such as Saturday School and the evolution of VBS, now known as Child’s Play, ensuring that children always had access to consistent support and opportunities to thrive.
Today, MENFA, along with a dedicated Chairman and Committee, honours the legacy built over decades of ministry, dedication, and community service. Our mission remains clear:
to mentor, educate, and empower young people by offering safe spaces, strong role models, and the personalised support they need to build confident and successful futures.
Our current projects are funded by The National Lottery Community Fund
