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Drop-In Centre

Christians Working Together For Young People

Present

SAYT: Rob Marsh* (Chair), Penny Boshoff (Manager), Judith Cork (Youth Worker), Jean-Pierre Darque (Treasurer), Jane Down (Youth Worker), Dave Garrett (Vol Youth Worker), Mary Jenkinson*, Stephen Scott*, Chris Walker* (Secretary), Chris Williams* [* = trustees]

Guests: Richard Parry (Sevenoaks Town Mayor), Rachel Parry.

Officiating: Stephen Jones, Alan Wharton, DEEPER [provided our excellent music]

Church, Other Organisations, Representatives: Christine ?, Bridget Scott, Adie and Roland Young (Bessels Green Baptist), Eileen ?, May Tidy, Jean Westacott, Lynda Williams (St Botolph’s Chevening), Roy Goodship, Gaius Solanky (Gideons), Andrew Wilkinson (St John’s), Emma Knights, John Mason, Jean & Philip Walker (St Mary Kemsing), John Craig, Jean and Stephen Day, Roger Fishwick, Jill Jones, C V Korbl (St Mary’s Kippington), Imogen Chandler, Elizabeth Cole, Helena Fothergill, Dawn Hallam, Richard Vigy (St Bartholomew’s Otford), Hazel Terry (Otford Methodist), Jane Edwards (St Mary’s Riverhead), David Cochrane, Jill Jones, Madoline Percy (St Nicholas), Lois Davis, Arthur Duke, Anita & Geoffrey Norden, Deni Whatty (Vine Evangelical), Vanessa Nicholls, Heather Walshe (WKHA)

Apologies: SAYT – Sue Baldwin, Michael Cooke*, Amy Chaili, Frank Mancktelow

Nigel Ashworth, John & Mary Quenby (St Mary’s Kemsing), Merle Bigden (SDC), Elspeth Cooke (St Lawrence), Michael Fallon MP, Kath Pawlett (OMC), Ken Thom, Ailsa Walker (St John’s Hill URC)

Introduction

The Meeting took place in the context of a service of worship.

Stephen Jones welcomed the Mayor and everyone present and thanked them for their attendance. He opened with prayer.

Song – Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

1. Trustees & Financial Report

Rob introduced all the SAYT Trustees and Staff. He also introduced the SAYT Strategy flowchart around which the evening would be structured. He gave a brief report during which he drew attention to the draft accounts for 2006, being pleased to report a surplus on the year of £7k on an income of £70k. 

He pointed out that the cumulative deficit for SAYT since its formation was only £3.5k ie 1.5% of £227k, demonstrating the Trust’s sustainability and the need for small increases in donations to keep pace with inflation. Income had been enhanced by a number of successful fundraising events and external funding bids.

In answer to a question from the floor, he said that an Independent Examiner for the 2006 accounts had not yet been appointed, but two people had been approached, one of whom he hoped would fulfil the role. [Afternote: Examiner has now been appointed] 

Song – Jesus, lover of my soul 

2. Detached, Schools and Partnership Work

Judith gave a detailed account of the Trust’s detached work, including a Case Study involving a young man called Ryan. Detached sessions were taking place on Greatness and in Kemsing. 

Judith emphasised that SAYT was “in it for the long haul”, being prepared to take time to build relationships with the young people, rather than attempting a quick blitz in an area.

Judith’s hairdresser had kindly offered occasional free haircuts for young people, which had led to a mechanism whereby good behaviour could be rewarded.

Jane spoke of work in Bradbourne and Wildernesse Schools, with the Christian Union and lunchtime Drop In respectively.

Jane outlined areas in which SAYT was operating in partnership with other agencies such as Grey Zebra (Kenward Trust) and KCC (Kent Youth Service). 

Readings – Luke 24: v13-27 and Deuteronomy 6: v4–9

Song – Faithful one, so unchanging 

3. Projects

Jane demonstrated the value of more focussed and concentrated work with young people, made possible through a number of specific projects, mostly financed through successful external funding bid successes. The Case Study continued and Jane referred back to a previous study involving a young man called Tom.

Examples were the Basketball Project, Dance Project and Halls Green Weekends.

Judith was on the committee formed by West Kent Housing Association to develop the first floor of Abacus House on Greatness as a facility for young people. 

4. Signposting

Judith explained how they refer young people to other professionals when their needs fell outside SAYT expertise. She spoke of job search, drugs, sexual/health issues. 

She also welcomed the support of church-based youth groups who provided volunteers to SAYT and potentially a link into a group for any young person expressing an interest in the Christian faith. [Afternote: the week after this service a young person has asked for help to get to a local church]

Deeper, a group of Christian young people seeking to live out their faith in the community, had been reactivated and Judith was involved with supporting them.

5. Churches and Conclusion

Penny thanked the churches for their support, without which SAYT would not exist. She encouraged further involvement through prayer, volunteering and acting as Champions

Prayers – Past, Present and Future

Song – I heard the voice of Jesus say

Talk – From Friday to Sunday and Onwards.

The talk was given by Alan Wharton, who urged us not to live as if it were still Friday, when in fact it is Sunday. In the joy of that knowledge we should be seeking to make a difference in our society in our generation, leading others into the Kingdom.

Collection – We were invited to make a seed offering as a sign of commitment

Song – Lord, for the years

Blessing – given by Stephen Jones 

Signed as a correct record                                     Date