As the years went by this group grew in size, as young people returned regularly even when they were far too old to be there. Clare and her team realised that they were the only role models that these young people had, and even when they grew older, they needed help practically as well as spiritually.
Issues of housing, employment, finances, drugs and alcohol arose all around her but instead of cutting them off and moving her attention to the younger youth Clare knew she should ask God how to deal with these needs. While on Fort Rocky, Youth for Christ’s residential for 11-14 year-olds, she chatted to one of the leaders who mentioned YFC’s Reflex work with young offenders – a group set up to educate offenders and give them skills to settle back into life. They began to introduce the education programme into the lives of those who needed it and started youth cafés two days a week, providing somewhere for people to come, rest, get warm and fed, chat and find help.
A huge issue that emerged was the homelessness in the area. Clare and her team prayed and one day in the middle of a time of prayer, the phone rang - there was to be a new youth housing project in the road next to the church with the aim to fill it with vulnerable young adults! She remains blown away at how God worked in such an immediate way.
Suddenly the young adults had a roof over their heads, an education programme and a drop in café to attend. But the most important part of this project is the mentoring. It was vital that each young person had a mentor to help them with spiritual issues and a practical mentor to help them use a washing machine, learn to budget or sign on. I asked her why they have two mentors when one could do the job. Clare replied: ‘It is so important that if one mentor has to pull out or is struggling in some way, that there is always someone to support them. So many people have let them down throughout their lives; we do not want to be another service that fails them. God doesn’t give up on them – so nor will we.’ Last year Reflex Woking were able to mentor 92 young adults and, with seven part-time paid staff and many volunteers, they have built stability and provided a fresh chance for many.
Clare sees the massive benefits of educating and putting roofs over people’s heads but in her mind having a mentor was a crucial part of their journey. ‘They have to have someone to walk through life with and to point them to Jesus,’ Clare reflects. ‘So many young people are looking after their parents, some are maturing in some ways very early on, and yet they need role models and parental figures to help them develop in the areas where gaping holes remain. Everyone who is mentoring has a mentor. If you imagine that you are covering someone’s back, you have to make sure someone has got yours covered too.’
So does this always work? Last year was tough following a very wonderful young person taking their life. The team sat and wept and deeply questioned if they were really making a difference, but then during such a hideous time, the church pulled together in an incredible way. The support structures and sense of purpose grew stronger. Just when Clare was questioning if their work was worthwhile, two envelopes from Surrey County Council came through the door. To her disbelief, she opened them to find two cheques covering every penny of their running costs for the year - what confirmation that they were doing the right thing! Since the sadness of the suicide their work has grown massively.
Clare and her team have to give second chances over and over and over again but they believe it is worth it. This is sacrificial love in action.
Think about …
• Who has got your back?
• In your ministry, are there people who are operating without support?
• Clare attributes success to supporting one another thoroughly
