Godstone Deanery Synod
Report on the meeting held at South
Godstone on 10 November 2008
|
Speaker: Julie Mitchell, Co-ordinator, Children’s Centre (Redhill) |
welcare in East Surrey - strengthening families |
“Welcare is a
Christian Charity, which works preventatively with children and families in
need, irrespective of faith, culture, abilities or life choices, to achieve a
better quality of life for children and families. It seeks to provide high quality services in
response to local needs which encourage self-help and independence.” (Mission Statement) http://www.welcare.org/home
Redhill Children’s Centre
Welcare employs qualified social workers and works with
families with children under 7, offering emotional and practical help; the work
is part of the Government initiative “Every Child Matters:
Change for Children”, http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/. In July 2007 Welcare House in Redhill became
designated a Children's Centre. These
centres have developed from Sure Start Centres and are being set up across
Surrey. It is hoped that every family is
within “pram pushing distance” of one, although this is often harder to achieve
in rural areas with the resulting transport difficulties. Within Southwark, East Surrey has hidden pockets of poverty
and deprivation and the Merstham Playlink has been set up to
address this, with a weekly programme of activities for
parents and children: drop-ins, toy library, storytelling time, young parents’
group (under 23), visiting speakers and first aid courses. Often a play worker will go into homes of
children aged 2 to 2½ for an hour a week over a six-month period to develop the
child/parent bond.
Services
offered
All families can hit
difficult times such as illness, sudden death, redundancy, relationship
problems, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence.
They are referred to Welcare by churches, schools or social
services. Most pressing practical needs
of food, clothes and equipment are addressed first. Advocacy services are also offered with one-to-one
support with housing, debt, schooling (special needs), supporting letters,
fighting on the parents’ behalf. Skills (eg
budgeting, parenting and play workshops) are often developed within a group context
which can lessen isolation and foster mutual support. Families helped by Welcare frequently go on
to become volunteers themselves.
How Parish Churches can help
Welcare is financed by local churches, Surrey County Council
and grants from Trusts. Prayer support
is also requested. Every parish church
has a Welcare representative and church members are well represented in the 45 CRB
checked volunteers. Toys donated from
toy services are used throughout the year and families are invited to attend
“toy choosing” days. Outings, day trips, Christmas parties and social activities are arranged to
help create happy family memories.
Business Meeting
·
Timothy Bamber (Limpsfield) was appointed to Godstone
Deanery Synod, his role being to keep the Deanery Synod aware of disability
issues.
·
Michael Lawrence (Godstone) was elected to continue as
Deanery representative on the Diocesan Board of Finance.
·
Jenny Attwood, (Lingfield) has been ordained as a Deacon
non-stipendiary minister.
·
Sue Mallinson (Tandridge) has been licensed as a Reader.
·
Next Deanery Synod meeting – 24 February 2009, speaker from
Stepping Stones, an organisation which seeks to help ex-prisoners find a place
in local communities and churches.
Janet Harman, Deanery Synod
Secretary