Hope and a Future Magazine Edition 14

Make Lunch lifting the burden

Joe and Davinia’s story of the church bringing care and connection after a season of social isolation and worry.

Lexi and Taiya’s inspiring story: learning to regulate emotions and feeling happier through Early Intervention coaching. are here to stay

A chance to chase dreams

O’Shane’s journey from feeling misunderstood, to being given a chance, to now running his own business!

Coaching brings joy and colour

In this edition:

‘It’s just a joyful experience!’ - Joe’s Story

Make Lunch: meals that matter

Echoes into eternity

O’Shane’s story

Emotions are signals

Colour their world - Lexi and Taiya’s Story

Transforming lives, together!

are here to stay Seasons

“I love that there’s a community here and a church that just give to people, they don’t want a single thing back, apart from you to smile.”

- Davinia, Joe’s Mum

Read Joe and Davinia’s story on page 4

Summer is coming! When it comes to the seasons, it’s my favourite. I love the warmth, the longer evenings, and the opportunity to finally wear my shorts! The only other season I like is spring, and that is purely because it means that summer is nearly here!

I am fully aware that some people appreciate the beauty of autumn as the leaves change colour. Others enjoy the cosy foods or staying in under a blanket. Winter can feel bleak at times, but then again, there is Christmas!

What a season it has been at TLG! We have been adapting and responding to great need as we have watched the nation struggle under the weight of the cost-of-living crisis, supporting our amazing partner churches to step into the gap for so many vulnerable children and families. We have also made the important, but difficult decision that due to the growing need for deeper, 1:1 support for children, the Education Centre model is no longer the most effective way to meet these needs, and therefore will no longer be part of the TLG vision moving forward.

In this magazine, we will be celebrating the thousands of lives that have been given hope by our Education Centres in the last 24 years. Lives like O’Shane’s, who shares his story of transformation later. We also want to say a huge thank you to you for your love and commitment to the 4650 children we continue to support annually through our Early Intervention and Make Lunch programmes, in partnership with 210 churches. What’s wonderful to see is the number of new churches joining us all the time to bring help to more struggling children and young people.

This is a monumental time for young lives across the UK. The number of children with complex needs has increased at an unprecedented rate. Underpinned by our therapeutic expertise, we will continue to meet these needs; building on the success of our Early Intervention and Make Lunch programmes, whilst also developing new ways to support the emotional, relational and practical challenges faced by children and young people today. In this season since the pandemic, I am more passionate than ever to see the church equipped to respond to the deeper needs children and young people have.

We were so grateful for your response to our ‘colour their world’ appeal, with many of you signing up to become Early Intervention coaches or to support us as Hope Givers. These decisions will have such a lasting impact on the lives of children like Lexi, Taiya, and Joe, whose stories you will be inspired by in this edition.

I am confident that we will now help a greater number of churches to support children and young people more effectively.

As we start each day at TLG, knowing you are with us makes such a difference. The part you play really is transforming lives. Thank you!

Tim Morfin TLG Founder and Chief Executive | tlg.org.uk

“It’s just a joyfulexperience!”

For 8-year-old Joe and his mum, Davinia, TLG Make Lunch has been a much-needed lifeline as the rising cost of living created heart-breaking challenges.

hen we were out shopping, we couldn’t afford to have everything that we wanted so it made my mum and dad feel very anxious,” said Joe with a sigh. “Things like gas prices were going up higher and higher so it was really hard to do stuff.”

Davinia agreed, “I worried about how much food was costing; it was quite scary. hope things are going to change, I don’t think they can carry on going up like they are. It makes me feel really nervous, especially with the gas and electric going up again.”

“

It makes me worried seeing mum and dad worried. ”

- JOE, AGED 8

“I think the children have massively struggled with all the challenges we’re facing and they obviously overhear conversations, as much as you try to not let them, they do know when you’re stressed.”

Thankfully, Davinia, Joe and the rest of the family receive regular support through Make Lunch at Cleveley’s Baptist Church, one of our 83 Make Lunch partners across the UK.

Davinia smiles, “Make Lunch has lifted a massive burden. I love that there’s a community here and a church that just give to people. They don’t want a single thing back, apart from you to smile, it’s absolutely amazing!”

“I feel happier now that I come to Make Lunch,” continues Joe. “My mum and dad don’t have to worry about looking after us, what we’re going to do. They don’t need to run after us, they feel less worried now.”

“I feel very excited about coming to Make Lunch, meet new families and have a nice hot lunch and dessert. My favourite

Make

Lunch makes an

“

They make you feel better in your person really, I feel happier when I’ve been to Make Lunch and I do think that it helps the stress of the world, having a place like this to come to. ”

- DAVINIA, JOE’S MUM

thing is coming to see the volunteers. Some of them like playing football, or we can run about playing with balloons, and they’re really nice people.”

Make Lunch, while providing essential hot meals and a warm space, also gives families the chance to connect into a loving church community.

“We see volunteers in the community while we’re walking and the kids are like, ‘look there’s so-andso!’ and they can’t wait to go up to them and chat to them, it’s just lovely to see.

My youngest was born during Covid so he’s really struggled with meeting new people. It really helps him to get to know people and he’s starting to come out of his shell now.”

Joe beams; “It’s just a joyful experience really, thank you TLG Make Lunch!”

impact!

Your love and care means that we have been able to support hundreds of children and families through TLG Make Lunch clubs as they have struggled with the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis. Churches running TLG Make Lunch not only provided hot meals, but also somewhere for families to find fun, friendship and community. Thank you!

284 sessions,

6852 meals,

1397 children and parents connecting beyond Make Lunch to the wider support of

the church.

Pause and Pray:

Thank you, Father God, that Make Lunch clubs across the UK are perfectly placed to support hundreds of families through the challenges of the rising cost of living. We ask you to bring comfort to parents and carers who are anxious about feeding their families. We pray for the UK Church, that they would rise up and reach out to those in need, bringing the love of Jesus in tangible ways. Amen.

into eternity

As we celebrate all that God has done through 24 years of TLG Education Centres, we hear from some of the staff and students about the impact it has had on their lives and the lives of those around them. We are thankful that God moved in powerful ways to bring about hope and transformation.

From Education Centre student to Future Builder!

Danny’s difficult upbringing and challenging domestic circumstances led to his mum moving with him to a new city in his teenage years.

“

I know that each student met with Jesus through the love shared, words, and actions of

ver nearly 12 years, TLG Wakefield helped a total of over 200 young people and their families. It’s difficult to put into words the impact God has made on our students lives, but I know that each student met with Jesus through the love shared, words, and actions of an extraordinary spirit-filled team. This is evident in the number of past students who remain in contact with the church team and continue to see our centre has a place of hope long after they leave. “O

“

The pain was deep-rooted, leading Danny to a life of crime and violence. Danny’s anger began to fuel his temper and attitude, leading to exclusion from school. Thankfully he found himself at a TLG Education Centre.

3,800

When I started working for TLG I realised that God had to break us for the work He had called us to do for Him. We could never have done it without his preparation. It was as if He allowed us to share His pain for the children He was bringing into our classroom.

”

HELEN

Danny remembers his time fondly: “There was a genuine care at TLG, they honestly wanted to help me. TLG encouraged me to think there was more to life than trying to impress people, that I could be positive and put things right.”

For I know the plans I have for

prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

29:11

Danny now runs his own business ‘CEG - Creating Effective Generations,’ which provides support for young people involved in crime and sexual exploitation.

Excitingly, CEG is now partnering with TLG as one of our corporate Future Builders.

“

This has been the best decision, especially as a past student. I want to be able to give back and support TLG - just as they did with me. ”

Find out more about how your business can join in with our corporate partnership schemes: tlg.org.uk/corporate

-

FORMER TEACHER

JEREMIAH

Lewis, the first TLG student

The original TLG team

- TIM MORFIN FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Danny Andrews, Owner at CEG - Creating Effective Generations: Silver Future Builder

Alex, former student from TLG Nottingham

“The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.”

– FABIENNE FREDRICKSON

O’Shane is one of the thousands of young people supported in a TLG Education Centre over the years. He was referred to TLG in 2017, and the lasting impact from his time spent with us is continuing to do good in his life today.

Mainstream education was a challenging environment for O’Shane and he found it difficult to settle at secondary school. His zest for creativity and his unique learning style meant that he struggled to thrive there. As things got worse and worse, it was clear that something had to change.

“Before I started at TLG,” begins O’Shane, “I was unruly. I messed about a lot, I never listened, and was always getting sent out of class. I did whatever I wanted. I found it hard to focus because there’s a lot of people in mainstream school so you can’t really get help if you don’t understand.”

“Where I grew up,” he continues, “it was bad. I associated with the wrong people, and I made the wrong decisions. At school, I was getting kicked out a lot for just any little thing. I felt like I never had a chance and they never really got to know me. I felt that the school was quick to want to exclude me.”

O’Shane was eventually referred to a TLG Education Centre, where he was able to receive the dedicated, holistic support that he needed to grow and develop. “We were all given a chance at TLG. I saw a change in everyone there.

I was more focused. I learnt how to listen. I learnt how to choose right from wrong, to think about my actions and their consequences. TLG put some sense in me! It did help me a lot.”

James was one of O’Shane’s teachers at TLG, and he continues to mentor and support O’Shane now. James says; “TLG gave O’Shane a safe space to experience some nurture and care. He was given a voice and I believe he was really valued as an individual.”

“When I left TLG, continues O’Shane, “I actually liked learning because everything was engaging. was more positive. My head used to be somewhere else, stuck in the hood, but now I’m focused on business, I’ve even got my own company!”

“

We were all given a chance at TLG. I saw a change in everyone there.TLG put some sense in me! It did help me a lot.

”

- O’SHANE , FORMER STUDENT

“

Other people would say that I’ve changed; I’m not that annoying kid anymore, I’m more mature.

”

- O’SHANE FORMER STUDENT

Like many of the young people referred to TLG Education Centres over the decades, the support that O’Shane received is continuing to make a profoundly positive impact as it continues to benefit his present and his future.

“After TLG, got an apprenticeship with Kwik Fit. Management there saw how keen was to learn new things. Now I’ve started a marketing company. I’m learning a lot, trying to better myself and how I approach situations to help me to build up a good set of clients.”

O’Shane concludes, “The teachers at TLG, like James, helped me to pursue my dreams. Now, when challenges come up, ask for help, I get different opinions and just go for it. I would tell my younger self to keep his head screwed on, to use the resources around him. I would tell him that you can learn from your mistakes, work on things and learn from them.”

James celebrates, “I’m amazed by the way God has turned O’Shane’s story around. He has shown great resilience, determination and displayed a never give up attitude. I really have seen his life transformed for good.”

A spoken word poem by Helen Trewformer teacher from a TLG Education Centre

Emotions are signals, behaviour is Communication

All of us look to support the needs of children who are struggling in different ways – whether that’s as a parent, coach, grandparent, children’s worker, teacher or friend. As we do that, here are three helpful questions: What are the signs that things might not be ok? What is it that we are seeing? What might they need?

Inour Education Centres, asking questions like these were paramount for the staff to be able to focus on the emotional health and wellbeing of the young people referred to them. In our years of work, we knew that emotions are signals, and behaviour - in whatever shape or form - is a child’s or young person’s way of communicating what’s going on. Staff spent time listening to students, getting to know and understand them, building connection with them and adapting to their needs.

Our trauma informed approach continues to be the bedrock of both our Early Intervention and Make Lunch programmes. All of our staff and volunteers are equipped to tune in to the needs of the children we support and to respond with empathy, understanding and consideration.

These things are all key to children feeling seen, heard, and loved.

Since 2020, we have shared our expertise with over 2,400 volunteers and staff in churches, schools, and mental health teams across the UK through our FREE online Emotional First Aid and Emotional Rollercoaster training. We would love to share this fantastic resource with you! Sign up today by visiting tlg.org.uk/training.

“The training was well-presented, and found it really useful. It was so helpful to learn about the brain and the scientific processes behind overwhelm and how to use this understanding to respond well to individuals experiencing this. Thank you so much!”

Shouting and aggression

What they may be feeling: frustrated/ angry/frightened

Rolling around on the floor

What they may be feeling: giddy/ unsure/worried

Throwing things

What they may be feeling: angry/ frustrated/frightened

What they may need from you:

Actions – Calm listening.

Words – ‘I hear you’, ‘I’m listening’, ‘Tell me more about what’s going on for you.’

What they may need from you:

Actions – Kneel down on the floor with them and offer a reassuring hand.

Words – ‘Let’s do some deep breaths together.’

What they may need from you:

Actions – Give them the attention, not the thing that’s been thrown.

Words – ‘I can see you’re really feeling it’, ‘I care about how you feel.’

“

I found that The Emotional First Aid journal was brilliant to work through with my coached child who had just transitioned to secondary school. I was able to give a copy of the version for parents/carers to his mum which helped her to feel supported in supporting him as he worked on being more intentional about caring for his emotional health.

TLG Resources Shop

Have you checked out our Resources Shop yet?! It’s full of a range of amazing resources that can be used by children, families, or adults supporting children and young people in any way. These great value activity books and games have been expertly developed by TLG and are designed to help build connection with children, and to support their emotional wellbeing and understanding.

Order yours today and get 10% off orders over £10 until August 15th with code MAGAZINE10

tlg.org.uk/resources

Bringing colour

to their world!

“B

efore I started coaching,” starts Taiya, “I was struggling with maintaining my anger, and Lexi was too. always got into fights and I got bullied a lot.” Lexi nods.

Alison, the Headteacher at Lexi and Taiya’s school, explains further. “Lexi’s behaviours were so extreme that we couldn’t cope with them within school. They were a health and safety issue both to her and to our staff.” In fact, Lexi was at risk of permanent exclusion.

“ Life before coaching was very hard. ”

- LEXI, AGED 10

“And Taiya,” Alison continues, “was a child who had many challenges. She came from a confused family where she lived in two places that came with two different sets of rules, and that was very difficult for her to process.”

“At our school, we know that every child’s behaviour, no matter how extreme it is, is telling us something about how they are feeling and it is up to us to interpret that properly.”

As Lexi and Taiya struggled to communicate the difficult challenges they were both facing, their school realised that something had to change. In stepped TLG Early Intervention coaches from the local church in Greater Manchester, Toni and Miriam! They are two of over 500 Early Intervention coaches bringing joy and colour to hundreds of children all across the UK.

Taiya explains,“Coaching is a session where you get stuff off your chest, I can share those good feelings and bad feelings with Miriam.”

Taiya’s coach Miriam reflects on their time together. “The sessions make a difference because she has a voice. She’s listened to and she’s able to express herself. Taiya’s learnt to trust me. She’s changed beyond recognition.”

Taiya agrees! “Normally when we check into a session we do this feeling game, you pick a colour for what you’re feeling today. And normally I pick yellow for happy because I’m always excited to meet my coach!”

Toni coached Lexi, with sessions every week for a whole year. “Time and space are key,” she reflects. “What I love about Early Intervention is that it doesn’t just train you to come in and deal with the issues, it trains you to look for the gold; the things to celebrate. Lexi has transformed, she’s a different girl to the one that I met at the start of coaching!”

“The teachers have said it’s been a lot easier for me to calm down,” says Lexi, “and I’m even a prefect now!”

This colourful transformation can even be seen in the girls’ artwork. “The paintings have gone from being quite black and quite dark to very bright and sparkly!” says Miriam.

Lexi summarises, “After the coaching - not

“

I’ve been a headteacher for seventeen years and I have never seen a child turned round in the manner that this has happened! ”

Lexi and coach Toni

Pause and Pray:

We pray for all the volunteers who are training and starting out as Early Intervention coaches this year. We pray for relationships between coaches and their coached child to be developed with ease, and that these connections would help struggling children to open up and build trust. We pray for perseverance where children take a while to respond to this support. Thank you God, that so many volunteers across the UK are so passionate about supporting children in this way!

Watchstory!our

Transforming lives, together!

Since 1999, TLG’s mission has remained the same: to see struggling children find hope and a future. There are over 210 churches in the UK that are currently partnering with TLG, either to run Make Lunch clubs in their communities or to reach into local schools to get alongside and coach struggling children. TLG is equipping churches by bringing a wealth of knowledge, support and expertise to enable churches to connect with children and families. And, what an incredible impact we are having together!

We believe that every child who needs support should receive it, meaning they can thrive. We believe that every child should have hope for their future.

We believe that local churches are the answer.

“

Partnering with TLG has helped us to fulfil our vision as a church to help our community. We love being part of the bigger picture at TLG and to have the opportunity to connect with other like-minded people through the forums, to hear about what they’re doing and to learn from one another.

”

- STE (THE FOUNDRY, WIDNES)

Will you join us to impact children in your community? www.tlg.org.uk/your-church

Pause and Pray:

As more churches partner with TLG, we pray that these churches would see struggling children find beautiful hope! Father God, please help these new centres to get up and running quickly and smoothly. We pray for incredible transformation across the UK, that you would help each TLG partner church to be a light in their community.

We rely on our generous Hope Giver community to reach children just like Joe, Lexi, and Taiya who you have read about in this magazine. But we URGENTLY need people like you to become a Hope Giver or increase your monthly donations so we can continue to provide muchneeded support to those children that need it most.

Just £8 a month will help transform a life for good.

thank you

I/we would like to become a Hope Giver and donate a monthly amount of:

www.tlg.org.uk t: 01274 900373 e: info@tlg.org.uk

If you are a UK taxpayer your donation could be worth 25% more at no extra cost to you.

Yes - am a UK taxpayer and would like TLG to claim Gift Aid on this donation, any future donations and on any donations I have made in the last four years. understand I must pay enough income tax and/or capital gains tax each tax year to cover the amount of Gift Aid that all charities and community amateur sports clubs claim on my donations in that tax year, and am responsible for paying any difference.

Will you bring colour to the lives of struggling children by joining a colour run in 2023?

www.tlg.org.uk/fundraise