Located in London's East End, Stepney is in one of the poorest areas of England, and many people live in extremely difficult circumstances. Toynbee Hall is a charity that reaches out to help the local community.

The Parish of Ashtead has assisted Stepney for over 10 years, by funding a youth worker and organising collections for clothes and furniture. Almost every week, Toynbee's minibus sets off from Ashtead laden with stock for a shop that was opened so that Stepney residents could buy goods at low prices. St Michael's Church holds its own monthly collection.

Recently, the church has renewed its commitment to funding a youth worker based at Toynbee Hall. "This has made a tangible difference to the children and young people of the East End," says Revd Luke Geoghegan, Warden of Toynbee Hall. Outdoor activities run by the youth team may be a child's only experience of the countryside, and a welcome opportunity to get away from their home environment.