Rock band roadie reunited with sisters after 21 years
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Rock band roadie reunited with sisters after 21 years A man who regularly attends our Older “Joe [Project Worker] came over to tell Men’s Club has been reunited with his me my two sisters were at the door” sisters after 21 years apart. Willie who explains Willie. “I didn’t really know will be 60 next year described the what he was talking about but then I moment as “astonishing”. looked up and I just couldn’t believe it. continued on page 2 >> Summer 2014 Willie at GCM’s music studio
I hadn’t seen Catherine for 21 years and Isabel Describing his time at Glasgow City Mission, for over ten. Willie first came along with some friends he knew. “There wasn’t a dry eye to be had. My sisters told me they thought I was dead so they were “I get on well with the people there and we relieved to see that I wasn’t! have a good laugh. I like to give Jim [a GCM volunteer] a hard time about his beloved “We’d never fallen out or anything. Just drifted Dumbarton football team. I always do quite well apart. I like to just keep myself to myself.” at the quiz each week too – keeps ma wee heid ticking over. Willie explained that he’d been passing his “I’ve got a bone disease called osteomyelitis and also angina so Robin [another volunteer] “There wasn’t a dry eye to be helps me with completing forms for my benefits and getting onto courses. I need a shove and a had. My sisters told me they push sometimes. I get frustrated a lot because thought I was dead.” I’m in pain all the time”. Willie is currently trying to get on a new course in sound production with the Wise Group. “Years news onto his brother-in-law to tell his sisters ago I used to be a roadie with bands like Deep but that never happened. When his sisters had Purple and The Sensational Alex Harvey band” approached his brother-in-law asking after said Willie. “It was heavy work but good. I was Willie, he suggested he might be at Glasgow also working as a floor layer but my health City Mission. won’t let me do that anymore. If I can get on “It was great to see them again after all these this course now, it’ll do me good and keep me years. We were catching up on old times and active. then my sisters took me up to see my brother “I’m also looking forward to seeing Isabel again Gerry. I hadn’t seen him for 22 years either. He next week and I’ll be on the phone to Catherine was really emotional to see me but it was great. in London”. Did you know.... Your support means over 200 city centre clients and 90 children and their families are provided with practical Christian care every weekday. Thank you!
Welcome Imagine what might happen if we genuinely believed in God’s power to transform lives? What is believing? Do you believe in aliens, Santa and fairies? Do you believe in God? Sometimes these questions sound the same. We’re asking if people believe in something they cannot see and if they think it exists. However belief is more practical than that. I believe in my house This year Glasgow City Council is reviewing keys. I take them with me wherever I go. I never the delivery of homelessness services. This question their existence, rather I believe in what is an exciting time and we’ve been given a they do, so I take them with me and use them significant role in influencing this process. to lock and unlock my house. We’re seeing great opportunities for influence throughout the city and have had some If I genuinely believe in God’s power to positive meetings with Glasgow Housing transform lives, I will not merely believe in the Association, Police Scotland, NHS Community existence of God, rather I acknowledge that Food Work Team, NHS Homelessness Services God has the power to transform and I behave and Gordon Matheson, Leader of the City accordingly. Council. What is transformation? The unique element behind Glasgow City We all need transformed into the image of Christ, and in Jesus we get a glimpse Mission is we deliberately invite God into the of humanity without brokenness – and it’s transformation process we need for those beautiful. The work of Christ isn’t to transform us suffering in Glasgow. We believe in God’s power into gods, but to make us more fully human. to transform lives. I hope you enjoy this edition of Connect where you’ll read plenty of stories God’s power to change that demonstrate exactly this. We have the pleasure of working alongside some wonderful organisations in the city that are alleviating poverty. I believe God is using these services whether they are people of Christian faith or not. Grant Campbell, Chief Executive.
With Scotland failing to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil this summer, all eyes are now focused on the Homeless World Cup in Chile.
How GCM footballers could be heading to the Homeless World Cup Increasing self-confidence, developing social and team skills, fitness and healthy eating are just some of the benefits of being part of Glasgow City Mission’s football team. A small team of regulars now pitch up at our city centre project each Tuesday morning for bacon rolls and a team chat before heading to Townhead football complex. The men join up with about 35 others, all of whom are from a homeless or socially disadvantaged background, and play in mini five-a-side tournaments organised by social enterprise Street Soccer Scotland. Twenty-two year old John plays at centre back. He’s been coming to Glasgow City Mission for three months having found himself homeless. “I knew a few people who came to the Mission so I came along at first with them. It was good because it gave you something to do. You could use the computers and look for jobs and get help.” looking past September but I’m hoping to get Seeing a poster for the football team, John my own flat again.” asked if he could come along and has since Tam Park is a social care student on become a regular. placement at Glasgow City Mission. “It’s been a “It’s cracking” says John. “It just gives people privilege to be helping with the team” explains something to look forward to. Everybody gets to Tam. “For a lot of the guys, they spend so know each other. It keeps you fit too.” much time in social isolation. Football’s a great social occasion that brings them together with “I really enjoy football. I put myself forward for a their peers, but also develops other skills like trial for the Homeless World Cup; if I got picked discipline and team work which can act as a for that it would be a dream come true.” springboard to other areas of their lives”. From over fifty people, John has made his way The Homeless World Cup takes place in into the last 16 and has a one in two chance Santiago, Chile from 19-26 October. of securing his place in a squad that will represent Scotland in Chile this autumn. With a number of big issues coming up for “They spend so much John, a once in a lifetime chance to play for time in social isolation. Scotland in South America would prove a real Football’s a great lift. social occasion ... but also “Susan’s [Project Worker] just been cracking at develops other skills like the Mission” says John. “She’s helping me with discipline and team work.” a number of big things at the moment. I’m not
As the city prepares to open its doors to the Arriving in Glasgow, whilst safer, brings a new Commonwealth this summer, it’s interesting to set of challenges. Isolation, separation from note that Glasgow City Mission has been doing family and familiar surroundings and dealing just that for decades. Demonstrating God’s love with trauma are just a few of the common to those who are vulnerable and marginalised experiences. These difficulties are no different has always included refugees and those to many of those facing our regular clients. seeking asylum. Speaking limited English however, is where the significant difference lies. Over recent years, numbers have steadily risen. Some have travelled to make a better life for Writing in this edition of Connect, Rosie & themselves, others have escaped war or horrific Mitchum Bock who lead our Internationals work circumstances. provide an insight into this transformative work. Every Friday sure that nobody is left without someone to afternoon Glasgow chat to. City Mission Afterwards we shift tables to get ready for becomes quite a English classes: Beginner-Intermediate in one different place for corner and Advanced in the other. a few hours. This is when we host We’ve been used to a steady 20 or so students our Internationals but lately God has been doing something Club - opening amazing: more than 40 people eager for help our doors and are cramming in round the tables studying welcoming over 60 vocabulary and bible stories to improve their people from over English. 25 nations who Some have settled in well to their new home city, have found their way to the streets of Glasgow: others are destitute with nowhere to sleep at Syrian, Iranian, Pakistani, Latvian, Romanian, night and no connections to help them survive. Somali, Sudanese, Eritrean, Senegalese, Columbian... all with varying degrees of B is from a Christian background and endured Glasgow patter. We have fun sometimes getting horrendous circumstances in his homeland beyond “hello” without running aground, so before coming to the UK. He’s been coming explaining what’s on the menu for the day can along on a Friday and enjoys the friendship be a challenge! and a place to talk and share his story. It was a delight to see him singing praise songs on a recent daytrip away with us: relaxed and feeling blessed, his face shining. With others, “We’ve been used to a the blessing is a shower, a hot meal, a home steady 20 or so students but from home and a chance to chat. We pray for lately God has been doing each to see the love of Jesus in all they see at something amazing.” Glasgow City Mission and be drawn to know, trust and follow Him. Get involved From 1pm we chat over tea and coffee and then serve a wonderful hot meal, shared together round one long table. It’s a joy to see so many We’re seeking additional cooks and patient cultures sharing a meal, and we like to think it’s people willing to help others with their a wee picture of the feast God has prepared English. See the volunteering pages on our for people “from every nation, tribe, people and website or call 0141 221 2630. language” (Rev 7:9). Our volunteers try to make
A recent report by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Strathclyde University said five “Without these positive early year-olds from poorer families were about a interventions, there is a strong year behind in problem solving and vocabulary. chance many children would It reported that a “persistent and significant” lag behind their peers.” attainment gap begins before a child starts school and widens as they get older. relationships with parents that trust is developed It’s into this context that our Child & Family Centre and progress is made” explains Anne.“A number operates, seeking to close the attainment gap through early intervention work. of children were at risk of being deferred from school for a year but they have progressed In a few weeks time, 22 children will graduate really well” says Anne. “Without these positive from the Govan-based centre ready to begin early interventions, there is a strong chance primary school in August. It’s an exciting and encouraging time for all concerned: children, many children would lag behind their peers parents and staff. and be less successful at school”. However the journey to prepare so many children Jack’s story for school has not always been straightforward. Despite huge investment, Govan remains one of When Jack first came aged three, he couldn’t the country’s most deprived communities. 28% talk and wouldn’t interact with anyone. His only of the community are income deprived, more forms of communication were pointing and than twice the Scottish average (SIMD 2011). screaming. His parents understood what he Many of the children who attend the Child & meant when he pointed so as far as they were Family Centre come from broken or chaotic concerned, the situation was ok and part of homes. Many of the parents had difficult childhood. upbringings themselves and consequently Our staff team developed a good relationship “They can be so low in self- with the parents and as trust grew, we confidence that they don’t encouraged them to refer Jack for Speech & interact with other children Language therapy and the Southbank Child and struggle to communicate.” Development Centre. Specialists also visited the Child & Family Centre to work with his mother lack confidence in their abilities, or the basic whilst Fiona, one of our staff members, acted parenting skills many take for granted. as a role model, demonstrating how to listen “Often at the start of an academic year, lots of and talk to Jack instead of simply screaming. children have a variety of issues that we need Parenting courses were also provided and the to work through” explains Anne Scott, Project mother was involved in situations at the Centre Manager. “Speech and language difficulties, where she could interact with and learn from attention issues, behavioural problems and so on. For some children, it’s often a lack of other parents. boundaries and an understanding of what Having overcome his difficulties, Jack will begin is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. For others, mainstream primary school in August to the they can be so low in self-confidence that they don’t interact with other children and struggle delight of everyone. to communicate. Jack’s story is real however we’ve changed his “It’s through developing strong and positive name to protect his identity.
Transformation Our LifeChange programme is almost two years old now. It focuses on helping 18-25 year olds move forwards in their lives to positive destinations such as jobs or training. But not always reaching those destinations can be a challenge. straight forward “Transformation is not always a straight forward thing and change is not linear” explains Susan Tulley, LifeChange Project Worker. “That’s because we’re interested in people not targets so it’s not just simply a case of getting people jobs. We’ve got to deal with the other things going on in people’s lives too: emotional support, housing, benefits, barriers to work like affording travel or uniforms”. By working on a one-to-one basis, LifeChange ensures that clients receive support tailored to their needs. Partnerships with local employers, churches and specialist agencies such as Jobs & Business Glasgow or Govan Law Centre also extend the reach of our care. “Ultimately, it’s loving people, sharing the Kingdom and giving them dignity” says Susan. Get involved If your church or workplace would be interested in partnering with us, we’d love to have a chat. Call Susan on 0141 221 2630. Sean’s story I’ve been coming to Glasgow City Mission on and The LifeChange off since the age of just 13. I spent a lot of my project’s been good childhood in care and then I was homeless at 16. because as well as help getting jobs, I’d come here to the Younger Men’s Club to get a they’ve helped me pair of clean socks, a towel and a shower. It was with other things great and good social company too. I’ve got going on. They’ve arranged In the last couple of years I got connected to the for counselling for me and also LifeChange programme and they’ve been brilliant. put me in touch with the guys at Govan Law I’ve just finished a ten month job in catering which Centre who come in – they’ve just helped me was a really good, but tough experience. I’m in move out of Drumchapel to a new flat. today to use the computers and work on my CV. I really wanted to move on with my life but there If I was doing that in the library, there’s no one was so much gang violence on my doorstep. It there to help. Here you can ask for help if you was hard to avoid people you didn’t want to run need it with spelling or just advice on how best to into. There was always somebody knocking on lay things out and phrase stuff. your door trying to sell you drugs, ask for sugar, you name it. One guy even arrived with an extension Tracy from Jobs & Business Glasgow is in today too cord and asked for some of my power! My new and she’s helping me look for jobs in woodworking place is quiet and peaceful and feels safe. I just or something practical like that. need a job now to pay the bills.
Response Form I WANT TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN GLASGOW I’d like to set up a monthly donation 1 To the manager, bank/building society Account No: Branch Address: Please pay Glasgow City Mission, account no: 00401095, sort code: 80-54-01, Bank of Scotland, Gordon Street, Glasgow, G1 3RS. The sum of £6 £12 £24 £36 £50 Other every month On the day of every month I’d like to give a one-off gift of £ I enclose a cheque (payable to Glasgow City Mission) OR Please debit my card Card No: Expiry: Start: Security code (last 3 digits on the reverse of your card): Name (Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr) 2 Address Postcode Tel: email: Where did you receive this copy of Connect? We’ll not share your details with any 3rd parties. I want to make my gift worth 25% more at no extra cost I am a UK tax payer and would like Glasgow City Mission to reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I give on or after 6 April 2008 and any future donations that I make.* * I understand I must have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. Other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. Please send me more information about: 3 volunteering arranging a visit to Glasgow City Mission fundraising in my workplace / church leaving a gift in my will booking someone to speak at my church / group receiving our prayer email 4 SIGNATURE DATE I would like an acknowledgement receipt Completed forms can be posted to simply “FREEPOST, GLASGOW CITY MISSION”. THANK YOU Reg Charity SC001499 SUM14
Improved The latest news & events Discover how you get can involved & make a difference website Make online donations easily Download toolkits for your church or workplace Purchase artwork from our art class Connect to our social media channels Take a look at our new website. We hope you enjoy and find it easier to interact with us. www.glasgowcitymission.com Glasgow City Mission, 20 Crimea St, G2 8PW. Tel 0141 221 2630.
You can also read