Rock band roadie reunited with sisters after 21 years
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Rock band roadie reunited with
sisters after 21 years
A man who regularly attends our Older “Joe [Project Worker] came over to tell
Men’s Club has been reunited with his me my two sisters were at the door”
sisters after 21 years apart. Willie who explains Willie. “I didn’t really know
will be 60 next year described the what he was talking about but then I
moment as “astonishing”. looked up and I just couldn’t believe it.
continued on page 2 >>
Summer 2014
Willie at GCM’s
music studio
I hadn’t seen Catherine for 21 years and Isabel Describing his time at Glasgow City Mission,
for over ten. Willie first came along with some friends he
knew.
“There wasn’t a dry eye to be had. My sisters
told me they thought I was dead so they were “I get on well with the people there and we
relieved to see that I wasn’t! have a good laugh. I like to give Jim [a GCM
volunteer] a hard time about his beloved
“We’d never fallen out or anything. Just drifted Dumbarton football team. I always do quite well
apart. I like to just keep myself to myself.” at the quiz each week too – keeps ma wee heid
ticking over.
Willie explained that he’d been passing his
“I’ve got a bone disease called osteomyelitis
and also angina so Robin [another volunteer]
“There wasn’t a dry eye to be helps me with completing forms for my benefits
and getting onto courses. I need a shove and a
had. My sisters told me they push sometimes. I get frustrated a lot because
thought I was dead.” I’m in pain all the time”.
Willie is currently trying to get on a new course
in sound production with the Wise Group. “Years
news onto his brother-in-law to tell his sisters
ago I used to be a roadie with bands like Deep
but that never happened. When his sisters had
Purple and The Sensational Alex Harvey band”
approached his brother-in-law asking after
said Willie. “It was heavy work but good. I was
Willie, he suggested he might be at Glasgow also working as a floor layer but my health
City Mission. won’t let me do that anymore. If I can get on
“It was great to see them again after all these this course now, it’ll do me good and keep me
years. We were catching up on old times and active.
then my sisters took me up to see my brother “I’m also looking forward to seeing Isabel again
Gerry. I hadn’t seen him for 22 years either. He next week and I’ll be on the phone to Catherine
was really emotional to see me but it was great. in London”.
Did you know....
Your support means over 200 city centre clients and 90 children
and their families are provided with practical Christian care every
weekday. Thank you!
Welcome
Imagine what might happen if we genuinely
believed in God’s power to transform lives?
What is believing?
Do you believe in aliens, Santa and fairies?
Do you believe in God? Sometimes these
questions sound the same. We’re asking if
people believe in something they cannot
see and if they think it exists. However belief is
more practical than that. I believe in my house This year Glasgow City Council is reviewing
keys. I take them with me wherever I go. I never the delivery of homelessness services. This
question their existence, rather I believe in what is an exciting time and we’ve been given a
they do, so I take them with me and use them significant role in influencing this process.
to lock and unlock my house. We’re seeing great opportunities for influence
throughout the city and have had some
If I genuinely believe in God’s power to
positive meetings with Glasgow Housing
transform lives, I will not merely believe in the
Association, Police Scotland, NHS Community
existence of God, rather I acknowledge that
Food Work Team, NHS Homelessness Services
God has the power to transform and I behave
and Gordon Matheson, Leader of the City
accordingly.
Council.
What is transformation?
The unique element behind Glasgow City
We all need transformed into the image
of Christ, and in Jesus we get a glimpse Mission is we deliberately invite God into the
of humanity without brokenness – and it’s transformation process we need for those
beautiful. The work of Christ isn’t to transform us suffering in Glasgow. We believe in God’s power
into gods, but to make us more fully human. to transform lives. I hope you enjoy this edition
of Connect where you’ll read plenty of stories
God’s power to change that demonstrate exactly this.
We have the pleasure of working alongside
some wonderful organisations in the city that
are alleviating poverty. I believe God is using
these services whether they are people of
Christian faith or not. Grant Campbell, Chief Executive.
With Scotland failing to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil this summer, all eyes are now focused on the Homeless World Cup in Chile.
How GCM footballers could be
heading to the Homeless World Cup
Increasing self-confidence, developing social
and team skills, fitness and healthy eating
are just some of the benefits of being part of
Glasgow City Mission’s football team.
A small team of regulars now pitch up at our
city centre project each Tuesday morning for
bacon rolls and a team chat before heading
to Townhead football complex.
The men join up with about 35 others, all
of whom are from a homeless or socially
disadvantaged background, and play in mini
five-a-side tournaments organised by social
enterprise Street Soccer Scotland.
Twenty-two year old John plays at centre back.
He’s been coming to Glasgow City Mission for
three months having found himself homeless.
“I knew a few people who came to the Mission
so I came along at first with them. It was good
because it gave you something to do. You
could use the computers and look for jobs
and get help.” looking past September but I’m hoping to get
Seeing a poster for the football team, John my own flat again.”
asked if he could come along and has since Tam Park is a social care student on
become a regular. placement at Glasgow City Mission. “It’s been a
“It’s cracking” says John. “It just gives people privilege to be helping with the team” explains
something to look forward to. Everybody gets to Tam. “For a lot of the guys, they spend so
know each other. It keeps you fit too.” much time in social isolation. Football’s a great
social occasion that brings them together with
“I really enjoy football. I put myself forward for a their peers, but also develops other skills like
trial for the Homeless World Cup; if I got picked discipline and team work which can act as a
for that it would be a dream come true.” springboard to other areas of their lives”.
From over fifty people, John has made his way The Homeless World Cup takes place in
into the last 16 and has a one in two chance Santiago, Chile from 19-26 October.
of securing his place in a squad that will
represent Scotland in Chile this autumn.
With a number of big issues coming up for “They spend so much
John, a once in a lifetime chance to play for time in social isolation.
Scotland in South America would prove a real Football’s a great
lift. social occasion ... but also
“Susan’s [Project Worker] just been cracking at develops other skills like
the Mission” says John. “She’s helping me with discipline and team work.”
a number of big things at the moment. I’m not
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.” Zech 7:10
As the city prepares to open its doors to the Arriving in Glasgow, whilst safer, brings a new
Commonwealth this summer, it’s interesting to set of challenges. Isolation, separation from
note that Glasgow City Mission has been doing family and familiar surroundings and dealing
just that for decades. Demonstrating God’s love with trauma are just a few of the common
to those who are vulnerable and marginalised experiences. These difficulties are no different
has always included refugees and those to many of those facing our regular clients.
seeking asylum. Speaking limited English however, is where the
significant difference lies.
Over recent years, numbers have steadily risen.
Some have travelled to make a better life for Writing in this edition of Connect, Rosie &
themselves, others have escaped war or horrific Mitchum Bock who lead our Internationals work
circumstances. provide an insight into this transformative work.
Every Friday sure that nobody is left without someone to
afternoon Glasgow chat to.
City Mission
Afterwards we shift tables to get ready for
becomes quite a
English classes: Beginner-Intermediate in one
different place for
corner and Advanced in the other.
a few hours. This
is when we host We’ve been used to a steady 20 or so students
our Internationals but lately God has been doing something
Club - opening amazing: more than 40 people eager for help
our doors and are cramming in round the tables studying
welcoming over 60 vocabulary and bible stories to improve their
people from over English.
25 nations who
Some have settled in well to their new home city,
have found their way to the streets of Glasgow:
others are destitute with nowhere to sleep at
Syrian, Iranian, Pakistani, Latvian, Romanian,
night and no connections to help them survive.
Somali, Sudanese, Eritrean, Senegalese,
Columbian... all with varying degrees of B is from a Christian background and endured
Glasgow patter. We have fun sometimes getting horrendous circumstances in his homeland
beyond “hello” without running aground, so before coming to the UK. He’s been coming
explaining what’s on the menu for the day can along on a Friday and enjoys the friendship
be a challenge! and a place to talk and share his story. It was
a delight to see him singing praise songs on
a recent daytrip away with us: relaxed and
feeling blessed, his face shining. With others,
“We’ve been used to a the blessing is a shower, a hot meal, a home
steady 20 or so students but from home and a chance to chat. We pray for
lately God has been doing each to see the love of Jesus in all they see at
something amazing.” Glasgow City Mission and be drawn to know,
trust and follow Him.
Get involved
From 1pm we chat over tea and coffee and then
serve a wonderful hot meal, shared together
round one long table. It’s a joy to see so many
We’re seeking additional cooks and patient
cultures sharing a meal, and we like to think it’s people willing to help others with their
a wee picture of the feast God has prepared English. See the volunteering pages on our
for people “from every nation, tribe, people and website or call 0141 221 2630.
language” (Rev 7:9). Our volunteers try to make
Early intervention work
closes child
attainment gap
A recent report by The Joseph Rowntree
Foundation and Strathclyde University said five “Without these positive early
year-olds from poorer families were about a interventions, there is a strong
year behind in problem solving and vocabulary.
chance many children would
It reported that a “persistent and significant”
lag behind their peers.”
attainment gap begins before a child starts
school and widens as they get older.
relationships with parents that trust is developed
It’s into this context that our Child & Family Centre
and progress is made” explains Anne.“A number
operates, seeking to close the attainment gap
through early intervention work. of children were at risk of being deferred from
school for a year but they have progressed
In a few weeks time, 22 children will graduate
really well” says Anne. “Without these positive
from the Govan-based centre ready to begin
early interventions, there is a strong chance
primary school in August. It’s an exciting and
encouraging time for all concerned: children, many children would lag behind their peers
parents and staff. and be less successful at school”.
However the journey to prepare so many children
Jack’s story
for school has not always been straightforward.
Despite huge investment, Govan remains one of When Jack first came aged three, he couldn’t
the country’s most deprived communities. 28% talk and wouldn’t interact with anyone. His only
of the community are income deprived, more forms of communication were pointing and
than twice the Scottish average (SIMD 2011). screaming. His parents understood what he
Many of the children who attend the Child & meant when he pointed so as far as they were
Family Centre come from broken or chaotic
concerned, the situation was ok and part of
homes. Many of the parents had difficult
childhood.
upbringings themselves and consequently
Our staff team developed a good relationship
“They can be so low in self- with the parents and as trust grew, we
confidence that they don’t encouraged them to refer Jack for Speech &
interact with other children Language therapy and the Southbank Child
and struggle to communicate.” Development Centre. Specialists also visited the
Child & Family Centre to work with his mother
lack confidence in their abilities, or the basic whilst Fiona, one of our staff members, acted
parenting skills many take for granted.
as a role model, demonstrating how to listen
“Often at the start of an academic year, lots of and talk to Jack instead of simply screaming.
children have a variety of issues that we need Parenting courses were also provided and the
to work through” explains Anne Scott, Project
mother was involved in situations at the Centre
Manager. “Speech and language difficulties,
where she could interact with and learn from
attention issues, behavioural problems and
so on. For some children, it’s often a lack of other parents.
boundaries and an understanding of what
Having overcome his difficulties, Jack will begin
is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. For others,
mainstream primary school in August to the
they can be so low in self-confidence that they
don’t interact with other children and struggle delight of everyone.
to communicate.
Jack’s story is real however we’ve changed his
“It’s through developing strong and positive name to protect his identity.
Transformation
Our LifeChange programme is almost two years old now. It
focuses on helping 18-25 year olds move forwards in their
lives to positive destinations such as jobs or training. But
not always reaching those destinations can be a challenge.
straight forward
“Transformation is not always a straight forward thing and
change is not linear” explains Susan Tulley, LifeChange
Project Worker. “That’s because we’re interested in people
not targets so it’s not just simply a case of getting people
jobs. We’ve got to deal with the other things going on in
people’s lives too: emotional support, housing, benefits,
barriers to work like affording travel or uniforms”.
By working on a one-to-one basis, LifeChange ensures that
clients receive support tailored to their needs. Partnerships
with local employers, churches and specialist agencies
such as Jobs & Business Glasgow or Govan Law Centre
also extend the reach of our care.
“Ultimately, it’s loving people, sharing the Kingdom and
giving them dignity” says Susan.
Get involved
If your church or workplace would be interested in
partnering with us, we’d love to have a chat.
Call Susan on 0141 221 2630.
Sean’s story
I’ve been coming to Glasgow City Mission on and The LifeChange
off since the age of just 13. I spent a lot of my project’s been good
childhood in care and then I was homeless at 16. because as well as
help getting jobs,
I’d come here to the Younger Men’s Club to get a they’ve helped me
pair of clean socks, a towel and a shower. It was with other things
great and good social company too. I’ve got going on.
They’ve arranged
In the last couple of years I got connected to the
for counselling for me and also
LifeChange programme and they’ve been brilliant. put me in touch with the guys at Govan Law
I’ve just finished a ten month job in catering which Centre who come in – they’ve just helped me
was a really good, but tough experience. I’m in move out of Drumchapel to a new flat.
today to use the computers and work on my CV.
I really wanted to move on with my life but there
If I was doing that in the library, there’s no one was so much gang violence on my doorstep. It
there to help. Here you can ask for help if you was hard to avoid people you didn’t want to run
need it with spelling or just advice on how best to into. There was always somebody knocking on
lay things out and phrase stuff. your door trying to sell you drugs, ask for sugar, you
name it. One guy even arrived with an extension
Tracy from Jobs & Business Glasgow is in today too cord and asked for some of my power! My new
and she’s helping me look for jobs in woodworking place is quiet and peaceful and feels safe. I just
or something practical like that. need a job now to pay the bills.Response Form
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