Partners’ Newsletter Winter 2021
Director Writes We are building hope in young people’s lives. At our recent Showcase we shared about the impact we are having amongst young people in Bath, bringing hope to their lives. We have chosen to use the word ‘hope’ in our strategy since it is understood as ‘believing things will get better’. For us the word is synonymous with Jesus. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 We also want to see young people reach their God given potential and seek to encourage hope in their lives through our projects. I encourage you to read our annual report which demonstrates how we are fulfilling our mission - Inspire Hope, Encourage Belonging and Build Community.
Our base at Roundhill is providing an opportunity to see glimpses of community and belonging as we welcome families to the Oasis food pantry, as well as increasing our reach through breakfast club and Motus dance, which has been able to expand. In September we welcomed Nick Blythe ‘back’ to the team as Peasedown Team Leader. Nick worked for Bath YFC about 10 years ago delivering the Graff project. Finally, we recognise that just as the young people with whom we work need to feel supported by our staff and volunteers, in turn they need to feel supported by our trustees. We are looking to strengthen our Board of Trustees including one person to join now with the expectation of becoming the next Treasurer from September 2022. If you, or someone you know, could help us achieve our vision, please get in touch. Thanks for your support and prayers.
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Creating spaces for young people to ‘belong’ After a prolonged period of establishing a new project in Peasedown it is exciting to report that we are working with young people in the village and surrounding area. Here Nick Blythe shares some of these developments. In the last couple of months, a new weekly open access youth club in Peasedown has created space for young people coming out of a pandemic to burn off some frustrations in a safe environment, build friendships and find belonging. We have had over 40 different young people attend the club. Helping facilitate a city-wide youth alpha for 30+ young people to explore faith and connect with other Christians in their city has been equally exciting. God is building unity in the city amongst churches and youth workers which is not only beneficial for those of us already connected in some way but is impacting the lives of young people - there are testimonies of salvation, healing, and increased interest in God. In a time where people can feel hopeless God is restoring hope and using us to build community and create spaces for young people to experience a sense of belonging.
Reaching the community through dance It is exciting to be using the Roundhill Hub as a dance studio which is having a positive impact on the dancers’ confidence and sense of belonging. We have gained new members and since September have performed twice at the Showcase and at a local junior school. The adult street dance classes have recommenced on a Thursday lunchtime and Friday evening. Mini Motus is our latest addition to the academy, for ages 8-10, creating potential for new motus members in years to come. We already have two Motus volunteers helping with this younger group providing an opportunity for them to act as role models.
Junior Schools, enabling us to advertise the academy and provide the opportunity to try something as fun and expressive as dance.
Finally, we commenced free lunch time clubs for year 5&6 pupils at St Michael’s and Oldfield
With all the developments this year, we are excited to see how 2022 shapes up.
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Prayer points for Bath December> • Thank God for the opportunity to share our work at the Showcase in November and pray for new connections because of the event. • Please pray for the work at The Hive in PSJ, for the building of solid foundations of the youth club to create a positive culture. Ask God to provide the opportunity to work in local schools in that area. • Pray for Schools & their plans for Christmas to include Jesus. • Pray for the young people we serve to get a sense of wonder at the birth of Jesus. Pray for those who face challenging home situations. • Pray for staff, volunteers, and trustees to have a restful Christmas break.
January> • Thank God for a New Year and pray that it will bring hope to young people and their communities. • Pray for those staff attending the National Youth for Christ Conference, (3rd-7th), that they will be encouraged and energised by the time away. • Pray for our Bath Half 2022 runners as they train for the Bath Half throughout winter. • Please pray for the work at Riverside, for the young people who face significant challenges and for those working with them to have the wisdom and empathy to provide support. • Thank God for the volunteers at the Hive and pray for the continued building of the team.
• Please pray into the new mentoring programme developed by Meg, that young people will want to be involved and for volunteer mentors.
February> • Thank God for the support of churches and other organisations in the city and beyond. Pray for an increase in connection and partnership as together we seek to reach young people and their communities. • Thank God for our faithful supporters and the provision of finances from individuals, churches, and grant funders. Pray for Lea and Lisa as they manage the fundraising and administrative support of the charity. • Thank God for the success of Youth Alpha in Bath and pray for the launch of the second round this month.
March • Thank God for our runners in the Bath Half on 13th March and pray for their strength and stamina. • Thank God for the opportunities to work in schools and pray the doors will continue to be open for us. Pray for Amy and Sam P as they spend time with young people in the school setting. • Thank God for the opportunities to reach the community in Southdown through the provision of the Roundhill Centre. Please pray for continued wisdom of how to develop the facility and the future redevelopment plans. • Please pray into the preparations for summer camps which Nick and the Hive team are planning - Spree, Christians in sport, Limitless, as well as the Easter camp.