Wiltshire Partners Spring 20202

Partners’ Newsletter Spring 2020

Chairman Writes Over the next 18 months Wiltshire Youth for Christ and Bath Youth for Christ will separate and become independent charities. From the onset of WYFC’s existence and incorporation into BYFC this was always planned and hoped for.

From September this year the financial and management responsibilities of WYFC will be delegated to a Management Team and in 2021 this team will evolve into the Board of Trustees of an independent WYFC. There is a lot to do in the coming year, and I, along with Steve and Dan, and new members of the WYFC Management Team are working alongside Dave and the BYFC Trustees to ensure a smooth transition and the uninterrupted delivery of youthwork by WYFC. Our sense is that God is all over this. In the few months since the decision to become independent was first discussed we have been encouraged and inspired by God’s faithfulness, which we have seen in many ways: • We have a much stronger vision of what God is calling us to do • We are already seeing the benefits of focussing our attention (and prayer) solely on the young people in Wiltshire, with new opportunities arising with new partners as well as digging deeper into the work we already deliver • We have been able to raise significant funds to secure our future • The level of interest, commitment and prayer from local individuals, churches and organisations has grown significantly • We recently hosted a successful interest event from which we have recruited new trustees, funders, prayers and partners

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Going forward we want to do what WYFC has always done - to give the young people of Wiltshire opportunities to flourish and to respond to the generous love that God has for each one of them. We want ‘the next generation to know the glorious deeds of the Lord, his power and the wonders he has done’ for them and will continue to do for them (Psalm 78:4).

Rev Dr Keith Brindle Chair of WYFC Management Team/Board of Trustees Keith has been involved with WYFC since 2017 as part of a local support group acting as a ‘critical friend’ to Steve and Dan. He is the vicar at St James in Devizes. Prior to that he was a secondary school science teacher and Christian youth worker.

Transformation through Mentoring Identifying and articulating the impact of one-to-one investment into the lives of young people doesn’t always come easily. We don’t always see the fruit of our labours. More often than not a gradual transformation within hearts and minds is taking place. Indeed, it’s like the parable of the leaven in Matt 13:33 – something small, growing bigger. Below is a quote from a member of staff at a Trowbridge school, sent to Dan in December 2019, which captures something of the changes we so often look for: “Freddy is a changed young man. He struggled to come into school and his attendance was very low, his mum was at her wits end and he felt as though he had no friends. He was constantly being given warnings by teachers and would argue against them. Freddy hated school.

The Freddy that we are seeing now is so different. He is coming to school every day… he has the resilience now to push through his doubts and come in anyway. He has even managed to sit all his mock GCSE exams without getting emotional or refusing. Freddy used to be argumentative and often refused to toe the line. He now goes out of his way to keep out of any conflict or trouble. He is trying to work hard in lessons. He does get first warnings – but he will respond to these positively. He stops and thinks about the situation and calms down. He has not been in our behaviour centre at all this academic year.

This is an incredible achievement.

Freddy now has a smile on his face, he is always with friends and is keen to do well. He can also recognise when he is struggling and will look for support from those he trusts.

It is so lovely to see Freddy as he is now.

Thank you, Dan, for all you have done and are continuing to do for Freddy. We will get him through to the end of Year 11 if he continues to be as positive as he is now.”

Dan has been meeting weekly with Freddy and they recently built a miniature model of a guitar!

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Prayer points for Wiltshire February> • Please pray for wisdom in prioritising the possible avenues of growth of our work, especially in schools • Please pray for young people who are on the fringes – either socially, educationally or spiritually.

• Pray for Dan, Rachel and their two boys • Thank God for those who generously support our work, financially and through prayer

March> • Thank God for the connections we have with local churches and pray for development of new opportunities to partner with them • Please pray for the Training Event for Primary School Head Teachers and Clergy on 10th March • Pray for those taking part in the Bath Half Marathon on 15th March • Thank God for those who have already come forward to help Wiltshire Youth for Christ become an independent centre and pray for the formation of a Board of Trustees

April> • Please pray for the Potterne Youth Centre committee, that they will have wisdom on how best to serve the young people in the community

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• Thank God for the wonderful message of Easter and pray for opportunities for us to share this with the young people we meet • Pray for staff and volunteers who Mentor students, that they will understand the needs of the young people and be able to provide the support needed • Please pray for our work in schools

May> • Please pray for Steve and his family • Please pray for continued direction for Wiltshire Youth for Christ as it transitions to becoming a centre and charity independent of Bath Youth for Christ • Please pray for our work in schools, that we will continue to find favour with staff and pupils. Pray for new doors to be opened to allow us to reach more young people • Please pray for us leading collective worship in Primary schools

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Engaging with young people in a rural setting The Potterne Youth Centre is a key resource for enabling us to engage with young people in a rural village stetting and Steve works with the Youth Centre Committee throughout the year to oversee the running of this village asset. We have regular numbers of 15-20 young people dropping in each week to use the facility, connect with each other and be supported by Steve and the small but dedicated team of volunteers.

2020 started with the annual Burns Night supper fundraising event in the village hall, with around 90 people attending. Steve managed a team of 10 teenagers who waited on tables, provided hospitality and even entertainment. Steve also nominates and presents the annual Angie Gale Award at this event, in remembrance of a former village resident. The award is intended to inspire and recognise local young people who give back to the community. This year the award was presented to Samantha for all the effort and

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dedication she has put into numerous events, school life and hobbies. More details of the youth club activities and impact can be found at www.potterneyouthclub.co.uk.

In January Steve also hosted a visit to the Youth Centre by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson, and the Lord High Sheriff of Wiltshire, David Scott.

During their visit they had a chance to hear more about the work of Wiltshire Youth for Christ and chat to the young people. In February, Steve will meet with the Devizes Constituency MP Danny Kruger and members of the Local Area Board to show them the facility and discuss local youth work challenges and opportunities.

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:

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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.

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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

Exploring faith in schools The success of the Christian Union in St Laurence School led Dan to explore opportunities to replicate this in other schools.

At the start of this academic year, he started a Christian Union in Clarendon Academy (Trowbridge) to gather and support young people who are wanting to explore faith and the big life questions. Beth Wigley, Youth Worker at St Thomas Church, co-leads the group and they have had a fantastic time meeting with a small number of year 7 pupils on Thursday lunch times. So far, they have looked at how God has made us and the gifts and character traits we possess. They are excited to see how this new initiative develops.

Rural Ministries Event On 23rd January, Steve was invited by the Bishop of Ramsbury (The Rt Dr Andrew Rumsey) to lead a session on “A Heart for Youth” as part of a rural clergy’s residential break in Radstock. Steve spoke on the challenges and calling of ministry with children and young people. Awareness was made of a recent report released by the Church of England General Synod on numbers of young people attending Sunday services and the impact of youth and children’s work.

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Steve led a reflection on the biblical basis for youth ministry and the need to respond to issues facing teenagers today. The evening finished with an open Q&A session with the group on local initiatives, resources and possible responses to the current youth culture and provision. Wiltshire Youth for Christ will continue working with Salisbury Diocese and local Deaneries to support youth work ministry across the area.