from Stuart Christian at the Bar’N’Bus Trust
Excerpts from the April 2013 Bar’N’Bus Newsletter – to download the full version please click on the link to the left of the screen
Grays (Tuesday)
Been a little quiet over the last few weeks, some weeks we have had less than 10 young people. However this has given us opportunities to chat more with the young people that do come. Some of the young people have been coming to the bus for a few years and it has been interesting to see how their lives have changed over this time. Some were immature when we first met them but now they have grown up and become more responsible and some have left school and moved onto further education. Its been a real privilege that Bar N Bus has been a part of this process as during this time we have had opportunities to support and encourage the young people in their decision making. Over the last few weeks drugs abuse has been a real issue with some of the young people and so we have invited ‘Open Doors’ to come and talk to the young people.
West Thurrock (Wednesday)
We still continue to get a handful of young people come to the bus. Not always the same young people each week but most are regular over a monthly period. Most come to enjoy the hot chocolate and the marsh mallows and play on the game consoles. Some of the young people are quite chatty and like to share what they have been up to over the past week. One week when we were having team prayers at the beginning, a young person arrived on his scooter – he came on asking ‘can I bring my scooter on here?’ and then shouted across the car park to another, loudly, but with respect in his voice ‘they are praying!’ – it was quite some announcement to the neighbourhood and good that they are aware of what prayer is, and that we are praying for them.
Stanford and Corringham (Thursday)
The prayer room has been in constant use most weeks with many of the young people asking for prayer on different issues they are facing. We are continuing to get a good number coming to the bus even though some evenings have been quite cold and have seen some new faces as well. Some of the young people have now started drinking alcohol so please pray for this.
There are also Bar’N’Bus teams in Laindon, Basildon, Rayleigh, South Woodham Ferrers and Maldon.
Job opportunity
- An exciting opportunity has a risen for an Operations Manager.
- We are wishing to appoint a key member of staff to our ministry to run the daily operations of the Trust. You will need to have enthusiasm, a passion for young people, be a committed Christian and a team player.
- Your role will include driving and maintaining our fleet of buses, supporting and visiting our volunteer teams, participation in meetings to promote Bar’N’Bus and over- seeing our counselling services.
- A full job description and application form can be obtained from Mrs Hazel Banks (Chair) phone 07770 873708 email: hazelbanks@barnbus.org.uk Or download application form from website: www.barnbus.org.uk
- Hours: 30 per week Salary: £15,600 pa Closing date for applications: 24th May 2013 Interviews to be held 7th June 2013 Start date: 12th August 2013
Fundraising news
Curry Night
Thanks to everyone who came to the curry night at the beginning of March. You all helped to raise over £750 pounds for various Bus Teams and the general work of Bar’N’Bus Trust.
Sponsored events – including Thurrock team members!
We have a couple of sponsored events happening in July, if you are able/willing to sponsor one of them that would be great.
Andy Biddle (of the Corringham/Stanford team) is running the London 10k Run on Sunday 14 July to raise funds for the Stanford and Corringham Bus Team. The run will start in Piccadilly and finish in Whitehall taking in many famous London landmarks on route. You can sponsor Andy through CAF by giving on-line via the Bar’N’Bus Website, click on donate and follow the instructions. If giving online please enter ‘charity run’ in the special instruction box. Or you can post us a cheque writing ‘sponsored run’ on the back.
Operations Manager Stuart Christian and Grays Team leader Gary Jones (right) are attempting to bike ride to every bus team location on Saturday 6 July. They will start in Maldon at the Promenade and cycle to all the other bus team locations finally finishing off in West Thurrock. You can sponsor Stuart or Gary through CAF by giving on-line via the Bar’N’Bus Website, click on donate and follow the instructions. If giving online please enter ‘bike ride’ in the special instruction box. Or you can post us a cheque writing ‘bike ride’ on the back. Thank You. All cheques made payable to ‘Bar’N’Bus Trust’