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Lighthouse Policies
Lighthouse has policies in place that are updated annually or when relevant legislation changes
What's Our Story?
Bringing churches and communities together around children.
From one holiday club in Great Missenden to a growing family of Lighthouses across the UK
How it all began
The story of Lighthouse began in 1987 in Great Missenden and Prestwood, Buckinghamshire, when a small group of Christians from different local churches shared a vision: to bring churches and communities together to provide children with a wonderful week of fun, friendship and Christian teaching during the summer holidays.
They wanted to create something special - a holiday club that would be open to every child, regardless of background, where children could enjoy exciting activities, make new friends and discover God's love in a welcoming and supportive environment.
The first Lighthouse was held in tents on the village green in Great Missenden, attracting more than 350 children. It was an immediate success and established the foundations of a movement that would continue to grow over the following decades.
Growing beyond Great Missenden
As Lighthouse became increasingly popular, demand for places grew rapidly. By the 1990s, Great Missenden was attracting around 1,500 children, prompting organisers to encourage other communities to establish their own Lighthouses.
One of the first major expansions was Lighthouse Hazlemere, which opened in 2000 with approximately 600 children. Further Lighthouses followed in communities including Burnham, Princes Risborough, High Wycombe, Cressex, Beaconsfield and Marlow.
Each new Lighthouse is organised by local Christians from different churches, working together across denominations. Although every Lighthouse develops its own character, all share the same fundamental principles: a free, fun-filled week of Christian activities, delivered by volunteers and open to all children.
Explore Our Range of Volunteer Roles Available:
We would love to have you help us this year. You can find out more about what's involved by clicking the button below. Each Lighthouse will have specific roles that you will be able to see when you apply as a volunteer.
Safeguarding
As an organisation Lighthouse takes safeguarding of both the children that attend and all the volunteers extremely seriously. Each volunteer must provide two references and we run Enhanced DBS checks for volunteers over the age of 16 whose role involves direct contact with children. Every volunteer must attend Safeguarding Training.
Our safeguarding policy is here
How are we Doing?
We are so pleased to welcome so many children and volunteers to Lighthouse every year! We are limited mainly by the numbers of helpers we can attract so think about signing up for 2027 and tell your friends about us too!
3000
Children Attended in 2026*
Lighthouse is a great place for children and volunteers alike to make new friends and meet up with old ones. Many people describe Lighthouse as 'the best week of the summer holidays'!
1900
Volunteers Attended in 2026*
It takes a lot of volunteers to put on Lighthouse - and there is almost certainly something you can do to help!
17
Locations
Lighthouse runs in many locations including Beaconsfield, Bicester, Burnham, Burghfield, Cressex, Denham, Great Missenden, Haddenham, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Loudwater, Mansfield, Marlow, Princes Risborough, 'Safe Harbour' (in Bourne End, designed for children with additional needs) Shelswell and Water Eaton.
Lighthouse Central
Lighthouse Central – supporting a growing movement
In 2016, Lighthouse Central was established to support existing Lighthouses and encourage the development of new ones across the country.
Our vision: Bringing God’s Kingdom to children and young people
Our mission: Growing and supporting the family of Lighthouses across the UK
Rather than requiring every new Lighthouse to start from scratch, Lighthouse Central provides the resources, guidance and experience needed to deliver a successful holiday club.
These include teaching materials, drama, craft, sport, music, safeguarding guidance and extensive administrative support including a bespoke database.
This approach allows each Lighthouse to remain locally organised and community-focused while benefiting from the experience and resources of the wider Lighthouse family.
Lighthouse Central offers administrative support for the Lighthouses and plants new sites. See Start a Lighthouse for more information!
The Lighthouse Central team (at Christmas!)
Richard Peters (Chair of Trustees), Edda Lindner (Operations Manager), Pat Reading (Director), Sarah Coope (Trustee), Caroline Bird (Trustee), Cathy Rayner ( Trustee)
Looking to the future
Lighthouse Central's ambition is to bring the Lighthouse experience to many more communities throughout the UK.
Its long-term vision includes establishing at least one Lighthouse in every region of the country by 2035, with opportunities for more than 10,000 children and young people to participate each year.
Nearly 40 years after that first gathering in Great Missenden, the original vision remains unchanged: bringing churches and communities together around children, sharing God's love and giving every child the opportunity to experience a week they will never forget.
Experience Lighthouse!
Live, Learn, and Grow at Lighthouse.
Pioneering Research and Innovation
Advancing Knowledge and Transforming Lives
*Figures from 2026 registration numbers across all Lighthouse locations.