We have come to that time of the year again, where we have emotional goodbyes, look towards the future, and remember the challenges... and I thank God that people are so willing to give up time, energy and money so that they are able to give something back to community.
There is something so precious about doing something for nothing, and one of the best memories of my gap year was when a bunch of youth I was working with in a school in North Bristol asked me how much I got paid, when I replied 'I'm not paid anything' ... they didn't believe me. And it took three other members of staff and my gap year partner to persuade them I was a full time volunteer. Youth expect these days that people will only care as much as they get paid, as much as they recieve something back, and for them to realise I wanted to be with them, was completely new! And I love the fact that this made them feel appreciated. I hope we all continue to learn what it means to give something for nothing, and never get out of the practice of compassion :)
I sometimes wish we could all live a life of gap years and continue to help with what were passionate about - and maybe some of us will do! But threesixty is such a brilliant opportunity to spend a year loving others who often dont experience love, and to give everything for a community in need.
If you want any more information please go to www.oasisuk.org/volunteering/threesixty
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
This July sees me coming to the end of my time working for Oasis as threesixty Coordinator in Waterloo. I have had the privilege of ‘looking after’ 6 threesixties over the past 2 years. During this time I have seen them all develop their gifts and skills and grow in their relationship with God. It has been an experience that has helped me to grow, alongside them, as I have sought to ‘practice what I preach’ and to lead by example.
As I have been here, I have had the opportunity to see the bigger picture; to see the work that has been done faithfully, week in, week out, by one threesixty, picked up and developed further by someone coming in the following year. A brilliant example of this has been in the local primary school, where threesixties have been involved in lesson support, sports clubs and most recently a residential weekend away for students with behavioural issues. The school is now set to become an Oasis Academy in September and I believe the positive image of Oasis that the threesixties have displayed over the past 3 years has played a significant part in this development.
God is faithful and powerful. He doesn’t need us to bring about His Kingdom but he chooses to allow us to partner with Him and discover and use the gifts He has given us to serve others. In this we discover more of who God is and who we are in Him and live life to the full.
- Heather Easton
As I have been here, I have had the opportunity to see the bigger picture; to see the work that has been done faithfully, week in, week out, by one threesixty, picked up and developed further by someone coming in the following year. A brilliant example of this has been in the local primary school, where threesixties have been involved in lesson support, sports clubs and most recently a residential weekend away for students with behavioural issues. The school is now set to become an Oasis Academy in September and I believe the positive image of Oasis that the threesixties have displayed over the past 3 years has played a significant part in this development.
God is faithful and powerful. He doesn’t need us to bring about His Kingdom but he chooses to allow us to partner with Him and discover and use the gifts He has given us to serve others. In this we discover more of who God is and who we are in Him and live life to the full.
- Heather Easton
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
10 things we love about Bristol
1. The Train. This makes living in the middle of nowhere ok. Where else can you get a train for 75p? Also, note the fact, that at the peak of rush hour the train is extended to two carriages instead of the usual one so as to accommodate the service’s high demand. Our favourite thing is that there is always a seat available - think of that next time you’re on the tube…
2. Breakfast Club. Are you a fan of early starts? Living here means you will be. After pressing the snooze button one too many times, finally dragging yourself out of bed, and racing up the hill to get in before 7.30 a.m. you get used to seeing sunrise. Then on top of that, you have to be nice to kids! Seriously though, breakfast club is a lot of fun – lots of card games, lots of children, and lots of food – what could be wrong with that? It’s been a really good way to get to know the kids better as they tend to be more willing to talk in the morning even though it is crazily early! And even sunrise can occasionally be appealing…
3. Community Emphasis. Intentional community seems to be a really big thing here in Bristol. Across the city there are lots of community houses existing to serve local areas, helping to create the positive atmosphere Bristol is so well known for. The Oasis team is no exception to this, everyone lives in and out of each other’s houses, always looking out for each other. Luckily there are plenty of ‘mother’ types looking after us, which is probably for the best considering our lack of cooking, navigational and general life skills.
4. Mullers. A day of theology. And we mean a full day. It’s pretty intense, but one of our favourite things we do. By the time you leave your brain is exhausted, having spent hours thinking and discussing ideas that had never even crossed your mind before, all while trying to sound vaguely intelligent and not completely ignorant in front of everyone else. We have learnt a lot though and it has been good to have the opportunity to explore our faith with people who have more life experience than us.
5. Card games and Tea (fair-trade). A day in Bristol seems incomplete without either of these things. Card games seem to be a way of life here especially with the kids; a game of uno, unlucky or snap is always being played. Tea is another big part of life, no meeting, group or general staff member seems to be able to run properly without tea. And of course, it’s all fair trade. We’re not complaining though, a cup of fair trade tea can never be a bad thing!
6. Pensioners Lunch Club. Free (homemade) food, lovely company and some good old fashioned hymns. Pensioners lunch club conveniently happens just outside John Williams Academy, and we take a couple of students along each week. It’s a really good opportunity for the students to interact with people from a completely different generation. The elderly people love swapping stories with the teenagers, and it’s been good to see how both groups have enjoyed Wednesday lunch times. And some of the pensioners have come out with some wonderful one liners – which makes it thoroughly entertaining.
7. The Accent. It’s infectious. You will end up sounding like a farmer. End of.
8. Cakes and Coffee. It’s both amusing and slightly worrying to see the enthusiasm for the “real” coffee we serve in the staffroom. It’s like the entirety of Brightstowe staff population have a serious caffeine addiction – and instant just doesn’t hit the spot! We’ve also found that cake is a brilliant way to make friends. If you make too much and then burn it, rest assured – you will find plenty of people who are still willing to eat it.
.
9. Kids. As expected we see rather a lot of kids. After weighing up both their hilarious one liners and their incessant whining we’ve come to the conclusion that we do actually quite like them. Time spent with the kids goes a lot quicker than time spent with the photocopier. This is probably for the best seeing as youth work is one of the main reasons we’re here after all.
10. Shirehampton. Known to locals as “The Shire”, and known to the rest of Bristol as “where?”. If you have ever wished to live in a village, and live in a city at the same time, Shirehampton is the place for you! Officially still part of Bristol, you literally have the best of both worlds; the shops and sites of Clifton are a 7 min train journey away, the hills of Somerset and Blaise Castle estate both in walking distance. And it is very quiet. Walking down the high street you never fail to see someone you know. And the sheer abundance of cats is impressive – possibly outnumbering the people.
Much love
Mim and Helen
xxx
1. The Train. This makes living in the middle of nowhere ok. Where else can you get a train for 75p? Also, note the fact, that at the peak of rush hour the train is extended to two carriages instead of the usual one so as to accommodate the service’s high demand. Our favourite thing is that there is always a seat available - think of that next time you’re on the tube…
2. Breakfast Club. Are you a fan of early starts? Living here means you will be. After pressing the snooze button one too many times, finally dragging yourself out of bed, and racing up the hill to get in before 7.30 a.m. you get used to seeing sunrise. Then on top of that, you have to be nice to kids! Seriously though, breakfast club is a lot of fun – lots of card games, lots of children, and lots of food – what could be wrong with that? It’s been a really good way to get to know the kids better as they tend to be more willing to talk in the morning even though it is crazily early! And even sunrise can occasionally be appealing…
3. Community Emphasis. Intentional community seems to be a really big thing here in Bristol. Across the city there are lots of community houses existing to serve local areas, helping to create the positive atmosphere Bristol is so well known for. The Oasis team is no exception to this, everyone lives in and out of each other’s houses, always looking out for each other. Luckily there are plenty of ‘mother’ types looking after us, which is probably for the best considering our lack of cooking, navigational and general life skills.
4. Mullers. A day of theology. And we mean a full day. It’s pretty intense, but one of our favourite things we do. By the time you leave your brain is exhausted, having spent hours thinking and discussing ideas that had never even crossed your mind before, all while trying to sound vaguely intelligent and not completely ignorant in front of everyone else. We have learnt a lot though and it has been good to have the opportunity to explore our faith with people who have more life experience than us.
5. Card games and Tea (fair-trade). A day in Bristol seems incomplete without either of these things. Card games seem to be a way of life here especially with the kids; a game of uno, unlucky or snap is always being played. Tea is another big part of life, no meeting, group or general staff member seems to be able to run properly without tea. And of course, it’s all fair trade. We’re not complaining though, a cup of fair trade tea can never be a bad thing!
6. Pensioners Lunch Club. Free (homemade) food, lovely company and some good old fashioned hymns. Pensioners lunch club conveniently happens just outside John Williams Academy, and we take a couple of students along each week. It’s a really good opportunity for the students to interact with people from a completely different generation. The elderly people love swapping stories with the teenagers, and it’s been good to see how both groups have enjoyed Wednesday lunch times. And some of the pensioners have come out with some wonderful one liners – which makes it thoroughly entertaining.
7. The Accent. It’s infectious. You will end up sounding like a farmer. End of.
8. Cakes and Coffee. It’s both amusing and slightly worrying to see the enthusiasm for the “real” coffee we serve in the staffroom. It’s like the entirety of Brightstowe staff population have a serious caffeine addiction – and instant just doesn’t hit the spot! We’ve also found that cake is a brilliant way to make friends. If you make too much and then burn it, rest assured – you will find plenty of people who are still willing to eat it.
.
9. Kids. As expected we see rather a lot of kids. After weighing up both their hilarious one liners and their incessant whining we’ve come to the conclusion that we do actually quite like them. Time spent with the kids goes a lot quicker than time spent with the photocopier. This is probably for the best seeing as youth work is one of the main reasons we’re here after all.
10. Shirehampton. Known to locals as “The Shire”, and known to the rest of Bristol as “where?”. If you have ever wished to live in a village, and live in a city at the same time, Shirehampton is the place for you! Officially still part of Bristol, you literally have the best of both worlds; the shops and sites of Clifton are a 7 min train journey away, the hills of Somerset and Blaise Castle estate both in walking distance. And it is very quiet. Walking down the high street you never fail to see someone you know. And the sheer abundance of cats is impressive – possibly outnumbering the people.
Much love
Mim and Helen
xxx
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
From the Waterloo Hub...
I am officially over half way through my threesixty year and am still enjoying it!
However, this term especially has been the most challenging and demanding year of my life. I have had to sacrifice my time, energy and social life to the local community and projects.
Table Tennis
Originally this was not a project on my timetable but from by chance helping at one of session it became one of my favourite projects. The “Waterloo Table Tennis Club” runs every Tuesday, three sessions for ages 5-to the oldest member being 75! I have always enjoyed leading this because the club is relaxed and welcomes people from all backgrounds and abilities. I am enjoying seeing where this club will progress to.
Hullabaloo
This is a pre-school playgroup which I work at every week on Wednesday morning. In this project I have had concerns of my place and purpose. To elaborate, I have taken the role of serving the hot drinks to the mothers and careers, making sure all the children are accommodated for. Due to this constant rushing around I felt that I was not actually working on the emotional and spiritual side and purpose of the project.
To overcome this I sat down and reflected on way I could feel more useful, and I decided to alter little things for example instead of going out and waiting for the hot drinks I would dash back and play with the children or talk to the mothers. From changing this tiny action I was able to form deeper relationships and feel more fulfilled at the end. Now I know nearly all of the mothers and careers and I am more involved in their lives.
Studio
This is a place where young people come to record or do radio shows. If you had asked me my least fulfilling project I would have honestly definitely said the studio. The reason being because all I seem to do was sign youths in and sit on reception occasionally exchanging a few words with another youth but on the whole not. But, now due to the realisation that the youths aren’t going to approach you I decided to make the consistent effort to engage in their world. As a result I now have stronger and better relationships from finding out about their schools, music, interests.
KEEP BLOGGING!
xxx
However, this term especially has been the most challenging and demanding year of my life. I have had to sacrifice my time, energy and social life to the local community and projects.
Table Tennis
Originally this was not a project on my timetable but from by chance helping at one of session it became one of my favourite projects. The “Waterloo Table Tennis Club” runs every Tuesday, three sessions for ages 5-to the oldest member being 75! I have always enjoyed leading this because the club is relaxed and welcomes people from all backgrounds and abilities. I am enjoying seeing where this club will progress to.
Hullabaloo
This is a pre-school playgroup which I work at every week on Wednesday morning. In this project I have had concerns of my place and purpose. To elaborate, I have taken the role of serving the hot drinks to the mothers and careers, making sure all the children are accommodated for. Due to this constant rushing around I felt that I was not actually working on the emotional and spiritual side and purpose of the project.
To overcome this I sat down and reflected on way I could feel more useful, and I decided to alter little things for example instead of going out and waiting for the hot drinks I would dash back and play with the children or talk to the mothers. From changing this tiny action I was able to form deeper relationships and feel more fulfilled at the end. Now I know nearly all of the mothers and careers and I am more involved in their lives.
Studio
This is a place where young people come to record or do radio shows. If you had asked me my least fulfilling project I would have honestly definitely said the studio. The reason being because all I seem to do was sign youths in and sit on reception occasionally exchanging a few words with another youth but on the whole not. But, now due to the realisation that the youths aren’t going to approach you I decided to make the consistent effort to engage in their world. As a result I now have stronger and better relationships from finding out about their schools, music, interests.
KEEP BLOGGING!
xxx
Hi Am Rachel one of the threesixtys from Waterloo am going to share with you two projects that I have found the most challenging so far.
Prayer walk has been my most eye opening experience so far. Last term we mainly walked around the local area talking to homeless people who were so grateful that we took the time to stop and talk to them and listen to their story. This term we have been doing home visits to some of the young people we work with. We went to one young person’s house to say how well he is doing at Table Tennis and how well behaved he is. The mother was shocked as apparently he always gets into trouble at school and she was very grateful that he had found something he liked (but still had to keep asking us “are you sure he is well behaved?”)
At Southside we run a radio station and have recording studios for young people to use. Last term was hard as I didn’t know how to approach the young people as they are so different to me, I was way out of my comfort zone, but as the term went on the young people began to say hi to me and slowly I managed to build a few relationships with some of the young people who come every week. I am looking forward to this term which should be easier now I have begun to get to know the young people.
Blogging out till next time……. xx
Prayer walk has been my most eye opening experience so far. Last term we mainly walked around the local area talking to homeless people who were so grateful that we took the time to stop and talk to them and listen to their story. This term we have been doing home visits to some of the young people we work with. We went to one young person’s house to say how well he is doing at Table Tennis and how well behaved he is. The mother was shocked as apparently he always gets into trouble at school and she was very grateful that he had found something he liked (but still had to keep asking us “are you sure he is well behaved?”)
At Southside we run a radio station and have recording studios for young people to use. Last term was hard as I didn’t know how to approach the young people as they are so different to me, I was way out of my comfort zone, but as the term went on the young people began to say hi to me and slowly I managed to build a few relationships with some of the young people who come every week. I am looking forward to this term which should be easier now I have begun to get to know the young people.
Blogging out till next time……. xx
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Hello from Grimsby!
Everyone is having fun in their hubs and loving threesixty still. It’s our turn to share with everyone what we have been upto the last few months so here goes...
This is a quick overview of our week:
Monday- just about manage to wake up and then we head off to East Halton Primary School, Michelle works with foundation (nursery and reception) whilst Sam is with years 4-6. Monday nights we have off so you can usually find us with friends in the pub failing miserably at the pub quiz
Tuesday- again off to a primary school this time South Killingholme Primary. Sam spends his day with year 1/2 whilst Michelle splits her day between foundation and year 3/4. In the evening we help out at a youth club run by a local church, which basically involves playing pool and Singstar with the kids so all in all not a bad night
Wednesday- we get a lie in!! (this is a definite highlight of the week) and then go into Oasis Academy: Immingham where we lead exploRE, a lunchtime club for years 7-9 and then Redirect which is our name for Oasis Church Immingham. Throughout the day we also try to fit in some mentoring sessions
Thursday- we go to Oasis Academy: Wintringham, Sam spends the morning helping out in media lessons and then P.E lessons in the afternoon whilst Michelle spends most of the day at their offsite provision for permanently excluded students teaching maths and then returns to spend an hour working in ALPS (alternative learning provision). Thursday evening we usually attend a house group which is hosted by the couple we live with so our house gets pretty crowded!
Friday- again a late start . This is the day for getting jobs done around the academy including helping to run a Fairtrade Cafe, mentoring sessions and training. In the evenings Sam helps at Immingham Young People’s centre and Michelle will be helping out at the next Youth Crime Prevention Project.
Now you know what we get upto we thought we’d share with you some of the highlights so far...
What are your top three highlights of the week?
Sam: My highlights are going to East Halton Primary School, helping at Immingham Youth Centre and Redirect where I get to lead worship
Michelle: Going to Wintringham is probably the main highlight of the week, the kids there are really challenging but it makes it good fun! And also Sidedoor youth group and the mentoring sessions
Shane (because he wanted to join in as well!): I’m thankful for the opportunities in my week for being involved in empowering young people and communities, for showing and sharing my faith with others and for the people I get to meet who encourage and inspire me to reach my full potential.
What memory most stands out for you over the last few months?
Sam: Being stuck in Michelle’s car for 2 hours in the freezing cold (it was -6 outside!)
Michelle: When exploRE grew so much that we had to find another room for everyone to fit in
Shane: For Sam I think it was seeing him in mourning when Roy Keane was sacked as Ipswich manager, and for Michelle realising how much she hates having her photo taken.
What have you learnt?
Sam: NEVER to go shopping with women! But on a more serious note, that it’s really important not to judge people and that everyone should be treated the same. I’ve also learnt that I really enjoy working with primary school children, which I didn’t think I would
Michelle: to never take Sam shopping with me ever again!! So far this year I’ve learnt not to put limits on what I think that I can do, I keep finding myself doing things I never thought I would
What have you learnt about God?
Sam: That fearing God is not about punishment but about doing it out of respect for Him
Michelle: That trusting His plan, even when it’s not what I thought was best for me, is extremely rewarding
What are you looking forward to/ not looking forward to over the next few weeks?
Sam: Passing my driving test/ not passing my driving test
Michelle: Finding out where I will be spending the next few months abroad and then at university/ having to say goodbye to Grimsby
Shane: Leeds being top of the championship/ Leeds being beaten by Arsenal in the FA Cup
This is a quick overview of our week:
Monday- just about manage to wake up and then we head off to East Halton Primary School, Michelle works with foundation (nursery and reception) whilst Sam is with years 4-6. Monday nights we have off so you can usually find us with friends in the pub failing miserably at the pub quiz
Tuesday- again off to a primary school this time South Killingholme Primary. Sam spends his day with year 1/2 whilst Michelle splits her day between foundation and year 3/4. In the evening we help out at a youth club run by a local church, which basically involves playing pool and Singstar with the kids so all in all not a bad night
Wednesday- we get a lie in!! (this is a definite highlight of the week) and then go into Oasis Academy: Immingham where we lead exploRE, a lunchtime club for years 7-9 and then Redirect which is our name for Oasis Church Immingham. Throughout the day we also try to fit in some mentoring sessions
Thursday- we go to Oasis Academy: Wintringham, Sam spends the morning helping out in media lessons and then P.E lessons in the afternoon whilst Michelle spends most of the day at their offsite provision for permanently excluded students teaching maths and then returns to spend an hour working in ALPS (alternative learning provision). Thursday evening we usually attend a house group which is hosted by the couple we live with so our house gets pretty crowded!
Friday- again a late start . This is the day for getting jobs done around the academy including helping to run a Fairtrade Cafe, mentoring sessions and training. In the evenings Sam helps at Immingham Young People’s centre and Michelle will be helping out at the next Youth Crime Prevention Project.
Now you know what we get upto we thought we’d share with you some of the highlights so far...
What are your top three highlights of the week?
Sam: My highlights are going to East Halton Primary School, helping at Immingham Youth Centre and Redirect where I get to lead worship
Michelle: Going to Wintringham is probably the main highlight of the week, the kids there are really challenging but it makes it good fun! And also Sidedoor youth group and the mentoring sessions
Shane (because he wanted to join in as well!): I’m thankful for the opportunities in my week for being involved in empowering young people and communities, for showing and sharing my faith with others and for the people I get to meet who encourage and inspire me to reach my full potential.
What memory most stands out for you over the last few months?
Sam: Being stuck in Michelle’s car for 2 hours in the freezing cold (it was -6 outside!)
Michelle: When exploRE grew so much that we had to find another room for everyone to fit in
Shane: For Sam I think it was seeing him in mourning when Roy Keane was sacked as Ipswich manager, and for Michelle realising how much she hates having her photo taken.
What have you learnt?
Sam: NEVER to go shopping with women! But on a more serious note, that it’s really important not to judge people and that everyone should be treated the same. I’ve also learnt that I really enjoy working with primary school children, which I didn’t think I would
Michelle: to never take Sam shopping with me ever again!! So far this year I’ve learnt not to put limits on what I think that I can do, I keep finding myself doing things I never thought I would
What have you learnt about God?
Sam: That fearing God is not about punishment but about doing it out of respect for Him
Michelle: That trusting His plan, even when it’s not what I thought was best for me, is extremely rewarding
What are you looking forward to/ not looking forward to over the next few weeks?
Sam: Passing my driving test/ not passing my driving test
Michelle: Finding out where I will be spending the next few months abroad and then at university/ having to say goodbye to Grimsby
Shane: Leeds being top of the championship/ Leeds being beaten by Arsenal in the FA Cup
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