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People First
Mim Beresford, 24, is volunteer co-ordinator at the Coventry Jesus Centre. She describes a typical day in the Coventry Jesus CentrePublished: 29th Nov 2013
Coventry lads swagger in; they wanted to use the computers, “Sorry they are both currently in use, I can book you in for later”. One lad starts singing away to himself, the other lad wants help from a support worker. I put an appointment in for that too and then he’s asking about bicycles. Ron is our bike man running the cleverly named ‘Re-cycle’ service – he helps repair bikes and does up donated ones to give to other people. I tell the lad Ron wasn’t around but I could take his details, I need his number for this. “You can have my number if you want, love” He and his mate laugh – I politely decline.
It’s a Monday morning and as part of my job I am filling in on...
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Servant of all: The benefits of volunteering
What are the benefits of volunteering in a Jesus Centre? Edmund Kannu shares his experience.Published: 23rd Aug 2013
“VOLUNTEERING at the Jesus Centre has been very beneficial to my personal life.” says Edmund Kannu, “It has helped me to become more humble by serving others. In Africa, if you are a church leader you are to be served rather than to serve. At the Jesus Centre we learn to serve and reach out to others with a humble heart.”
Edmund, 45, has been a volunteer in the Bridge drop-in at Coventry Jesus Centre since 2010. Here destitute, homeless and often lonely people can come inside for some warmth, a shower and a free breakfast. There is also an on-site clothing bank, used much in cold weather, and a weekly food distribution point.
Born and brought up in Sierra Leone, Edmund was the son of a Muslim mother...
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Painting by numbers
Who said “church” was just a Sunday thing? Coventry Jesus Centre manager, Piers Young paints a picture of a busy Friday at the Jesus Centre.Published: 26th Sep 2012
I COULDN’T help being impressed by how much went on here last Friday.
Julia, our skills tutor, ran a new “The Bible and You” class in the Bridge drop-in lounge with a keen group. It’s a group that combines teaching literacy with exploring the Bible.
“Little Ark” mums and tots converted the Gateway hall into a big play room with pushalong toys, craft activities, and chatting mums filling the space.
Reception dealt with a stream of enquiries. Support workers plied their trade of mercy.
Iain, who runs our self-development and confidence building activities under the banner “Your Future”, took some people to Ryton Pools to do conservation work.
The “...
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Making it work
From weight loss classes to immigration services, the support groups that are running in all three Jesus Centres help to provide "worship, friendship and help for every kind of person". "With support groups we can link up people to listen to each other and give mutual support," says Piers Young, manager of Coventry Jesus Centre. "It can make a big difference. We've seen it."Published: 21st Jan 2010
LONDON
"Making it work," is a relatively new job-search support group at the London Jesus Centre. It has been running for over nine months, during which Alison Moore, who runs it, has seen over 50 different people who are having difficulty finding work. It runs every Thursday by appointment, from 8.30am-3.30pm.
She helps them to put together their CVs, helps with interview skills, gives employment advice, searches for jobs with them, makes phone calls to employers and, as she puts it, "I do a lot of chatting, praying, solving problems, laughing, crying and drinking tea."
"My Spanish has improved!" laughs Alison, "And I've learnt about helping migrant workers to find jobs and a lot...
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Surviving suicide
Piers Young, a senior leader in the Jesus Fellowship, reports on "Survivors", a support group at Coventry Jesus Centre for those who have lost a loved one through suicide.Published: 1st Sep 2009
SUICIDE ... now accounts for 1.5 per cent of all deaths worldwide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24, after vehicle accidents.
"Most people who commit suicide have a mental disorder - anorexia, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder are the most common..." (New Scientist, 25 February 2009).
My sister ran out of a psychiatric hospital in 1981 and straight into the path of a van. She was heard to say that morning "someone is going to die today". I have never been so devastated before or since.
My friend Mike took his life four years ago. I had known his wife, Jo, since the 70s, and Mike mainly...
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