We're having a ball!
Quite literally we are having a ball later this year. This fundraising event is strictly black tie and takes place in the evening of Friday 7 May 2010 at York Club, Windsor Great Park. Cost is £35 per person. Download an invite...
98% rate east to west as good/excellent
Huge thanks to you all who took time out to fill in our online survey. The results were encouraging and are helping us clarify our 5 year plan as we look to take east to west forward. We were bowled over by the response especially from our partners. See the full results of the survey...
east to west youth forum starts
Some words from its chair: "Hello one and all. My name is Joshua Heslop. I have been given the chair position of the new east to west youth forum. The name of the forum will be clarified after our first meeting, but for now that is its name. The youth forum has been established simply to better the service east to west provides to young people by asking the people they are serving. There will be opportunities for east to west team to troubleshoot any issues or problems they have in their working world. The young people themselves will have a big impact on the shaping and development of the profile of east to west. The effectiveness of the forum will simply rely on the audacity of the young people. I am very excited by this: things will happen. This isn't just another committee of adults that think up 'nice' ideas; the young people will candidly express how east to west can suffice their needs in whatever environment they are in. The forum itself will be very relaxed and chilled out. At the request of myself, pizza will be present for the forum members, and forum members only. We are looking for a whole spectrum of young people from all backgrounds and local areas. So if know of a young person who'd want to be a member then email andy@easttowest.org.uk and through Andy I'll say hi. It would be much appreciated! Josh"
A second chance
east to west's Supported Lodgings project places 16-17 year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with families or individuals who are willing to give them the support they need to start a new life. One young person, known as Jane to protect her real identity, is the first to be taken into a family home in this way.
Originally from Staines, Jane had nowhere to turn when an abusive relationship turned sour and clashes with her family meant she could not return home. Jane suffered domestic abuse at the hands of her older boyfriend, but is now staying with Bex, a host from Ashford. Jane said: "I can be who I am here. When I was living with my boyfriend I had to be shy - I had to run around after him and I wasn't allowed to see my friends. He used to use abusive language and he would hit me. "Since I've been here, I've started college again and I've had a lot more contact with my family and friends. II'm at college now and I want to work with children some day. Bex is lovely - she makes me laugh and we do things together. She took me bowling on Friday. I'm not in contact with my ex. I don't want anything more to do with him."
Bex runs her own business and took part in the scheme as a way to give something back to the community. She said: "I just wanted to give someone a second chance, someone who hadn't had as good a start in life as I had. Jane really wants to change. She's gone back to college and I'm teaching her basic life skills like cooking and budgeting. She's bubbly, funny and a quick learner. I had a spare room that was just sitting here doing nothing and I thought, why not? Other people who are thinking about doing it shouldn't be worried about it - they should just do it. Some young people get a bad press, but they just need someone to give them a second chance."
Through the project, the young people are given a new home for up to a year. During this time they also receive support and advice about education, work and life from Catherine Burns, Supported Lodgings manager for east to west, who said: "The reasons teenagers become homeless vary, but the reality is that they all are vulnerable, low in confidence and lack the ability to see a way forward. The aim of the scheme is to bridge this difficult period of homelessness by providing the young person with a safe and secure environment, so they can find their feet again. We hope to bring about positive change in the young person's life with the aid of the host and support worker so that ultimately they can re-engage and find work, training or study".
If you would like to know more about the project or about becoming a host call 01784 438 007. Learn more about supported lodgings...
east to west is an organisation dedicated to bringing hope to young people by empowering and equipping youth workers and churches.