The Feast Choir

As promised here are some photos of the Feast choir in rehearsal. Over the first 2 weeks 30 people have taken part. They have had a lot of fun including some very cool dancing! There are 2 more weeks of practice and then they will be performing at the Feast Christmas Meal on the 17th December 2008. Don't miss it!

Rough sleeping!!!

These photos were taken this week when I visited a site used by rough sleepers who visit the Feast. I will let the photos speak for themselves.

Training from Lewisham Drug & Alcohol Team

The following training is provided by Lewisham Drug strategy Team. It is free to anyone who is providing services in the borough. I have the prospectus in the office and the dates are all in 2009. Please ask if you would like more details.

Examples of the days are as follows

Drug Awareness basic 1 day
Drug Awareness intermediate 2 day
Alcohol Awareness basic 1 day
Alcohol Awareeness intermediate 2 day

Without all the details some of the other training day/s are
Young people and drugs / mental health / pregnancy /harm reduction /referrals into treatment / "up in smoke" Cannabis in the 21st Century / crystal meths

Please do ask for more details - this is very useful training . It is designed for staff and volunteers who may work with people who use drugs or are at risk of drug related problems.

Work experience

On Friday a young man called Jamie is starting a short work experience with the Jericho Road Project. He will be working each week, Tuesday til Friday, and the placement finishes around the 24th January 2009. This will be of great help as we work towards the Feast Christmas event on the 17th December, there are many practical things that need to be done such as buying the presents that we will give out. Jamie will also be around on Wednesday evenings at the Feast.

I am very excited about the Christmas event, this year we will not be having (an official) pantomime! However we are launching the Feast Choir! Most people have laughed at the suggestion, but last week 21 people took part in the first practice. If we remember the process is as important as the performance then we are in for a treat. Thank you to Miranda who has taken on this challenge and last week led with great enthusiasm. Hopefully there will be some photos on the blog later in the week.

Starting a blog

The Jericho Road Project is 7 years old!

I have started this blog to increase communication of what is happening on the project and also what I am up to.

In 2001 I moved to Catford on the day the England football team beat Germany 5-1 and this week England beat Germany 2-1. Whilst some things are consistant other things are rapidly changing. The project has grown from small beginings to now having 5 houses that provide support for 22 residents, a support group, the Feast, Feast Alpha table, advice work and King's Money Advice. The number of people we provide care for is expanding, the number of volunteers is growing and we have a significant profile in the borough and beyond! But most significantly God has changed lives!

In 7 years time the project will have significantly changed again and I pray for more lives to be changed, however I hope one thing stays the same, England beating Germany at football.