Hand in Hand with Integr8
Integr8 had a stand at the Hand in Hand (children and families ministry) conference in Eastbourne recently, manned (or ‘womaned’ as Philippa puts it!) by Youth Ambassador Philippa, Project Manager Alan and TTR Trustee Alice.
Philippa writes:
I was a bit apprehensive at first because I'm used to speaking to captive audiences, or just attending conferences, so to sit behind a table and wait for people to speak to me was a new thing. I wasn't quite sure how it would work, because it would be hard for me to tell if anyone had stopped at our stand, or the stands next door, or if they were waiting for my attention, and if they addressed me, how would I know they were speaking to me? Alice and I came up with a suggestion, we weren't sure if it would work, but it was worth a try. Alice wrote on a piece of paper "Please say Hello Philippa, as I cannot see". I was surprised how many people responded to this - people actually did come up and speak to me!
A Parachute Bible Stories workshop run by Alan and Alice was attended by 65 people, and a number of people also expressed interest in our new Youth Encounter Groups venture.
For more information on Integr8, please see our Youth Zone.
To book Philippa to speak at your church or young people’s group, please email.
Flowstore Football Fundraiser
Wheels supporters, Flowstore, recently held a morning of factory vs office staff 5-a-side football, organised by employees Ibby Hussain and Wayne Verrill. The fundraising idea was simple but effective - each player paid to take part, with additional contributions being made by the losing team!
Our CEO, Tim, was on hand to blow the whistle at the start, and to watch the teams battle it out in a mini-tournament which was eventually won by the factory team.
Flowstore's Managing Director Simon Dennis said, “I’m delighted that our whole staff seem to have got behind this very practical charity work, which is now part of our company’s Social Responsibility Policy... It’s great to see individuals putting themselves out to help others at a time when the business world faces criticism for selfishness." We couldn't agree more!
The football raised £240 - enough to sponsor 6 wheelchairs - and brings Flowstore's wheelchair tally to 19 in just 3 months. We'd like to say a big 'Thank you!' to Simon and all his staff for their ongoing support, helping us to bring the gift of mobility to disabled people in Africa.
Working in Moldova
Six intrepid Integr8 team-members will soon be heading out to icy Moldova – the poorest country in Europe – to partner with Christian partners, Breadline, to inspire a spirit of inclusion.
The team will be away from the 11th Feb to the 19th, and will be helping educators gain new skills and confidence to work with disabled children. They'll be sharing the love of Jesus and bring a powerful message of hope, and a way of thinking differently – to see disabled people through God’s eyes.
There'll be a full report in the next Vital Link.
The Sharon Award
On January 14th twenty members of DCF travelled to Emsworth, Hants for a very special presentation lunch. After the death of a very special DCF member - Sharon Key - three years ago, we have presented the Sharon award annually. The award, in the shape of a crystal key, is given to someone who displays the same qualities as Sharon. This year the award went to Linda Titheridge, and she was invited to join a group of us for lunch quite unaware that she had been given this award and that the lunch was in her honour! There was much chatter and singing as well as laughter for the time we were all together, with many memories of holidays together being shared amongst all present. Congratulations Linda from all at Through the Roof.
Childrens and Family Ministry Conference
Through the Roof are joining over fifty other organisations and ministries supporting the 2012 Hand-in-Hand conference (from Fri 3rd Feb to Sun 5th Feb), wanting to help train your team and resource your children's and family ministries.
Alan and Philippa from Integr8 will be there - running our stand and chatting to people about what our youth programme is offering and how we can help you. Alan and Alice Langtree (TTR Board Member) will be running a workshop on our innovative Parachute Bible Stories on the Saturday Afternoon.
Whether you have been involved in these areas of ministry for years or are just starting as a volunteer, then from 4pm on Friday 3rd February to 3pm on Sunday 5th February you’ll find helpful seminars, workshops, ministry showcases, exhibiting organisations and resources.
The programme includes plenary and optional sessions that focus on how we can make the most of the opportunities that major sporting events provide for churches to engage with their community. There will also be a stream of Messy Church sessions throughout the weekend. So if you already run a Messy Church and want fresh ideas, or if you are thinking about Messy Church as a possible new initiative for your church, you can choose those options. And, to encourage you to bring your junior leaders along, there is a half-price ticket for under 21s and some sessions aimed particularly at them.
Find out more about the conference by following this link.
New Year's Honours for Jenny
Huge congratulations to Jenny Edwards, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen's 2012 new year's honours list. Jenny received the honour for services to people with disabilities in Surrey. We're all very excited for her, and hope you'll join us in congratulating her on being recognised for her many years of hard work and care.
TTR at Christmas
The Through the Roof office will be closed from around midday on Friday 23rd December until Tuesday 3rd January. Please leave any messages on the answerphone (01372 749955) or email, and we'll respond just as soon as we're all back. We'd like to thank you for all of your support, involvement and friendship over 2011, and hope you have a very happy Christmas!
Photo by Flickr user dystopos.
Families with disabled children left isolated
A shocking new report says that three out of every four families with a disabled child are being left isolated. Contact-a-Family – a charity supporting families with disabled children - found that 72% of these families experience anxiety, depression or breakdown, with almost half (49%) asking their GP for medication or see a counsellor.
The report says that families with disabled children experience isolation through a lack of social interaction, caused by not having the time or money to work and do normal family activities. Families also fear how people might react to them when they go out with their child. The resulting stress leads to 1 in 5 families or marriages breaking up.
Commenting on Premier Radio about the report, Tim Wood, Through the Roof’s CEO said that the government is not doing enough to help, “I know a mum on her own with a severly autistic daughter who can’t even get one night of respite a month because the council cut the number of available places.” He hopes that Christians and churches will respond positively to the report by showing Jesus’ love and acceptance by reaching out: “It’s not rocket science – just being there for someone, to listen, pray and maybe to offer a meal or to look after siblings can be a great help.”
Through the Roof’s youth programme, Integr8, is planning to help families by offering an ‘Integr8 Encounter’ through churches to bring together young people with and without disabilites to find friendship, learn new skills and do activities together in a supportive environment.
Have you struggled with any of the issues highlighted in the report? Why not comment on our Facebook page?
You can read about the report, and listen to an excerpt from Tim's comments on Premier news by visiting the Premier website through following this link
Photo taken from Flickr user studiostoer - see their photostream by following this link.
Our Autumn 2011 Newsletter
The latest Vital Link newsletter (for November to March) is now available. Follow this link to download the PDF Autumn/Winter 2011 Vital Link Newsletter.
Please get in touch (on 01372 749955 or by following this link to email us) if you have any problems downloading this, or if you'd like to receive future newsletters by post or email.
Wheels for the World in Ghana - latest news
Yesterday's distribution at Hohoe saw 84 disabled people receive wheelchairs or other mobility aids, and 16 of those making prayers of commitment. After a 14 hour day our exhausted team had a fish supper before getting some well-deserved sleep ready for setting off early today with another lorry load of wheelchairs, this time to Akacsi.
UPDATE - 02/12/11
We recieved a text from the team this morning, as they began their journey home. After 3 days distribution (and a final 15-and-a-half-hour working day!), they've given out all the chairs, and only have some childrens things + mobility aids remaining. These will be distributed by our contacts in the country. There is still great need in the area, but the mission was accomplished.
We're really grateful to our Wheels volunteers for working so hard on this trip, particularly after red tape delayed the arrival of the wheelchairs. Thank you too to all those who've been supporting the team with prayer during the trip.