Wiltshire Youth for Christ Partners Newsletter Summer 2019

Partners’ Newsletter Summer 2019

Volunteer to Director

I remember walking into Centre 69 (Weston Community Centre in Bath) for the first time in 2005 to volunteer on a project called One Eighty (Skateboard project), not knowing what God had planned for my future. This was the project that really saved me and brought me back in relationship with God. Through the combination of skateboarding and youth work I could see and identify that God can use so many tools to build relationship with his people.

This was the start of an amazing journey with God continuing to stretch me beyond my comfort zone and leading me to new places. I have gone from leading One Eighty through to school’s work, Life Academy and most recently leading a mission team for a project in Mexico.

My roles have also adapted and changed in the organisation from a student youth worker to a senior Youth Worker, then through to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director was the key role in the preparation for the Director role as God worked on both my resilience and perseverance skills.

James Vaughton broke the news that he was leaving Bath and Wiltshire Youth for Christ whilst we were walking together in Wales. During that day we climbed a steep incline, which was really hard work, but we achieved it together. I know that in taking up the leadership role for Bath and Wiltshire Youth for Christ I will face some tough challenges, but I believe God has been preparing me for this role for the last 15 years. There are going to be exciting times ahead when we do see young people’s lives changed by Jesus.

God has blessed Bath and Wiltshire Youth for Christ with an amazing team of staff and volunteers, so I am not alone in this new chapter.

In the period between James leaving and my appointment to the post, God reminded me of the story of the transition from Moses to Joshua and particularly the passage about being strong and courageous (Joshua 1:7-9). This is a time of new opportunity, growth and partnership. I consider that part of my role as Director is to facilitate bringing Christians and communities together to help us bring the kingdom of God into people’s lives.

Dave Joyce

2

Potterne Youth Club The youth club in Potterne continues to support local young people on a weekly basis, from working on the community garden every Wednesday to the usual Drop-in on a Friday evening. What a great bunch of young people we have in the Potterne and surrounding area.

A recent FAKE (Firearms and Knives) event at the centre, presented by two Police officers, attracted about 20 young people.

Even though the community’s size and location mean that young people may not be so aware of the impact of such issues, the group was really engaged and there were lots of good questions. Steve also organised a scratch football team to take part in a recent tournament at Melksham Football Club. The event saw teams from across the county taking part, most of whom were well established. Potterne was the only youth club taking part and although they did not win the trophy, they did come 4th and more importantly won the “Sportsmanship Award”

for fair play and positive attitude. Our team was made up of young people who attend the Friday night Club and several of Steve’s mentees from local Secondary schools. Every opportunity to share Good News and how young people are being valued in communities should be celebrated, giving hope in words and actions, on and off the pitch.

3

Prayer points for Wiltshire June> • Please pray for Young people as they face GCSE and A-level exams. Maybe find out who in your church has exams and commit to pray for them each day during their exam time.

• Please pray for Dan and his family.

• Please pray for the team as they meet with church groups and leadership teams to share about our ministry, at County Hall on 11th June.

• Please pray for the Mentoring Training Day event on 22nd June and all those volunteers and potential volunteers that connect through Mentoring.

• Thank God for funding received for the pop-up van.

July> • Please pray for Dave and his family – settling into his new role as Director and being part of the Wiltshire team.

• Please pray for all those that support the Potterne Youth Club Committee and the young people that attend on Wednesdays and Fridays.

• Please pray for our partnership with other organisations engaged with young people.

• Please pray for Steve Dewar and Rob Jackson as they continue to deal with local youth issues in the Devizes area around the issue of knife crime and antisocial behaviour.

4

August> • Pray for Steve supporting the St James’ Camp in Potterne Wick, including the delivery of youth activities and discussion.

• Please pray for the Pop Up Youth Café – the planning for Summer Pop Up events across the area. Thank God for the opportunity for churches to work together to be Good News for local young people.

• Please pray for Steve and his family.

• Pray for young people receiving GCSE, A level and other exam results, and for direction for them for the future.

September> • Please pray for the Mentoring of young people across Secondary Schools in the area and for more volunteers to work on this project.

• Thank God for his provision for Wiltshire Youth for Christ over the last academic year. Please pray for God to provide for what he has called us to in the coming year in terms of team and finances.

• For young people and school staff as the new term begins.

• For young people heading to University that they will connect with their Christian Union and a new local church.

Supporting young people in school For some years now we have recognised how valuable mentoring a young person in school can be to their wellbeing.

Here Mel Charlton, a Connect Mentor with Wiltshire Youth for Christ, shares her experience and we hear a school’s perspective of the intervention provided.

Mentoring is very rewarding, and I love being the constant in my mentee’s life. Although my mentee struggles at school, she really values the mentoring sessions & the school recognise the benefits. We have recently used the dance studio for our sessions to give a different opportunity for her to express herself.

I have learnt that a young person (or mine at least) values having someone to talk to who is not associated with the school. Mentoring makes me feel valued, that I am making a difference & having a positive impact on the life of a young person.

Here is what Tracie Walsh, Head of Conigre House, St Laurence School says: I wanted to share some very positive feedback regarding your mentoring of a year 10 student [called ‘Mike’ for safeguarding purposes]. Mike has always found it difficult to engage on a 1:1 level and has been guarded at school, as well as at home, regarding conversations and feelings. Since Dan has been working with Mike his mother has reported that she can always tell when Mike has met with him as he is much more open/chatty at home. They are discussing ‘real’ topics/issues more often as opposed to the usual ‘teenage’ conversations.

His mum has noticed an overall change in Mike’s attitude, and he is generally chattier at home.

I too have seen a difference in Mike’s attitude; he is more open to a discussion, conversation and more recently I have even seen him smiling and laughing during some of our conversations – something I have never seen him do before. Mike is more personable than previously and ALWAYS remembers his appointments - a huge achievement and compliment!

5

Working in Partnership We have always sought to partner with churches and other organisations in the delivery of youth work.

Here Rob Jackson, Outreach Worker, St James Devizes, tells us about his experience of working with Wiltshire Youth for Christ.

In the last 12 months, Steve and I have met regularly, and I have really appreciated how he has been and continues to be a gentle encourager, humble enabler, a practical supporter and passionate promotor of sharing God’s love through collaborative working. Todate, St James Devizes & Wiltshire Youth for Christ have worked together on a mentoring project and the GSUS Live project that

6

enabled over 450 Devizes School students to explore the Christian faith and it doesn’t stop there!!! In 2019, we are partnering on a ‘Going Up, Growing Up’ transitional event for 80 Year 6 students, a mentoring initiative using the Wiltshire Youth for Christ Connect Mentoring framework. This will allow St James’ to support more school students. Together with Wiltshire Police, Steve and St James are holding a Knife Amnesty and a Skate Park outreach. We have been blessed by Steve’s heart for young people and his now far from subtle ‘God Love’s You (Scooby Doo style)’ van is destined to ensure more young people have an opportunity to encounter God’s love throughout 2019.

For more information about what we are up to, please email outreach@st-james-devizes.org.uk

Man with a van!

Steve has been working hard to get this unique resource on the road and ready to take Good News around parts of Wiltshire. With the support of the Devizes Area Board, Local Youth Network and several local businesses supporting in various ways we are ready to get started. Several students from Lavington School have also helped with the design and set up as part of their Mentoring sessions.

Steve will be using the van as a Pop-up Café at events across the area throughout the year to give a focal point for teenagers to be engaged, inspired and equipped in their communities.

The first appearance will be at a football tournament in partnership with Wiltshire

Police when the Potterne team will participate. The Pop-Up Van will also be working alongside the Wiltshire Skate Series events in Devizes and Melksham areas.

The 2019 Wiltshire Youth for Christ Pop Up events will also be running again in Devizes and Trowbridge during the summer break which typically see over 100 young people involved. Steve says “it’s about working in partnership, we want to support local churches and communities to engage with local young people in either villages or towns.

This resource is a great way to start those conversations and build connections”. If you would like to know more about the van, book an event or offer practical or financial support please contact Steve@wiltshireyfc.org.uk

7

I would like to give a gift towards the Pop-up mission this year.

I would like to give a monthly gift of £ _____________ or a one-off gift of £ _____________ to see young people’s lives changed HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE? Enclosed cash or cheque

(please make cheques payable to Wiltshire Youth for Christ) Give by standing order TO: The manager, bank/building society: ACCOUNT NO:

SORT CODE:

Please pay Wiltshire Youth for Christ, account number 20029580, Sort Code 20-05-12, Barclays, 4-5 Southgate, Bath BA1 1AQ, the above sum at the frequency stated, starting on 12th day of the next month.

Signed: Date:

/

/

Name: Address:

Post Code: Tel:

Email:

Please send acknowledgement of my gift and our newsletter and updates. by post by email We value everyone who engages with us by whatever means, and we do all we can fully to protect your privacy and to make sure the personal data you provide us is kept safe. You can read our Privacy Notice on our website www.wiltshireyfc.org.uk

INCREASE YOUR GIFT BY 25% WITH GIFT AID By ticking below I confirm that I am a UK tax payer and that I have read the Gift Aid information below (please tick all relevant boxes for your giving to Wiltshire Youth for Christ)

Please claim Gift Aid on all my applicable gifts from today AND/OR in the past 4 years Signed: Date:

/

/

Please ensure that you inform Wiltshire Youth for Christ if you: 1. Want to cancel this declaration; 2. Change your home address or name; 3. No longer pay sufficient tax to cover all of your Gift Aid claims.

By ticking the box above I confirm that I have paid/will pay enough Income Tax/Capital Gains Tax each tax year (6th April5th April) to cover the tax claimed back by ALL the charities (not just Wiltshire Youth for Christ) I financially support each tax year. I am aware that no other taxes contribute to this figure and that Wiltshire Youth for Christ will claim 25p for every £1 donated by myself from today onwards.

Please return to the address below

Wiltshire

c/o John of Gaunt School Wingfield Road Trowbridge BA14 9EH T 01225 336055 E admin@wiltshireyfc.org.uk www.wiltshireyfc.org.uk Charity No. 1165745. A member of British Youth for Christ