Three days away in Chepstow

The project holiday to Chepstow went extremely well. Firstly there are great facilities at the centre with plently of games of table tennis and pool. There was plently of food and hanging out. We had some time dicsussing a biblical passage. We went on a walk along the River Wye which was very spectacular and spent Tuesday walking up a mountain called Sugar Loaf. On Wednesday we spent the morning doing archery where we went from beginners to experts in 3 hours. The photos are all taken on top of Sugar Loaf!

catch up time

The absence of a blog since the 6th March indicates the recent workload plus the last few days illness. So in summary ...

There are numerous resident changes including Louise finally moving into a 2 bedroom flat today. Last week I visited a flat that one of the men had moved into and it is really lovely with a great view over playing fields. Among the new residents there is a lady who had lost her home last August due to repossession, stayed in a car for 4 months and then stayed in winter shelter with 14 men before she moved in. If you have any spare pots and pans they would be really appreciated.

The social action conference is all planned and all we need now is for people to book in!

There are between 12-15 of us going to Chepstow for 3 days next week. We will have lots of fun, have morning devotions, go and do archery, eat well and go on walks. Only in this job does the total going constantly change by the day, so only after we have set off will I know how many we are taking!

The Alpha course has been excellent this term with a large group going through. The feedback has been great.

This Friday at Life group we have a Stop Smoking special. A brave lady from the PCT is going to attempt to help people break the addiction that is the 'hardest' to stop.

The newfrontiers social action conference

The conference called 'Remember the Poor' takes place on Saturday 18th April in Milton Keynes. Please look at the booking info by clicking here. If you are at King's Church we will be organising transport to the event. Also the Flyer's will be available at church from this Sunday.

Last years conference seminars are still available to hear. Click here. Plus if you have never heard Simon Pettit's talk from 1998 called Remember the Poor, listen to it by clicking here.

News on the 6th house

The 6th house is going extremely well. All four moved in on the first day and are really engaged with the project. In fact two of the guys have become Christians in the last few weeks.

The weather when the photos were taken does not reflect the positive affect this house has had on the residents.

Job Vacancy at Nightstop

Greenwich and Lewisham Nightstop @ Youthreach – a registered charity providing emergency accommodation, support and counselling to young people in the boroughs of Greenwich and Lewisham, has an exciting opportunity for a Development Manager.
Project Development Manager – Maternity Cover
25 hours per week.
£27,675p.a. pro rata

Are you a dynamic and innovative person with an interest and passion for preventing homelessness amongst young people?

Greenwich and Lewisham Nightstop provide emergency accommodation on a one night at a time basis for 16 – 25 year olds in the homes of Volunteers. The project also runs an education and outreach programme which delivers homelessness prevention work in local schools and agencies.

You will be responsible for:
o maintaining relationships with current funders;
o seeking further funding for the project;
o overseeing project finances;
o managing project staff;
o publicising and developing the project:
o networking with other agencies locally and nationally
o reporting to Director and Management Committee of Youthreach

Secondments welcome.

For an application pack or more information please contact Rebecca Bickley on: 020 8269 2200 or email rebeccab@youthreach.org.uk.

Youthreach is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion or belief.

Closing date for applications: 23rd March 2009
Interviews: week commencing 6th April 2009
Start date: week commencing 1st June 2009

The Jericho Road Holiday

This year we are taking the residents (plus other jrp friends) away for three days to a residential centre near Chepstow later on this month. Each time we have done this it has been a superb time of deepening friendships, discovering truth from the bible, plenty of fun and lots of stories to tell. But probably the simplest reality is that it takes people out of their 'normal' environment, it breaks up the usual and allows people to breath and take a check on how they are doing. For many who live on the project, our holidays provide the only planned change to their routine. It is therefore healthy and productive for the project to go on holiday. Last year we organised canoeing and high ropes, this year we may a little more relaxed and have a go at archery!

Whilst I am thinking ahead, the new frontiers Social Action Conference takes place on the 18th April 2009 in Milton Keynes. I am leading the team that are organising this event. This year the conference is called 'Remember the Poor' and Guy Miller from Bournemouth is the main speaker. This week flyers will be in church and the website is due to go live for bookings any day now.