A Word from Zoe on the new DARA project
Dear Supporters,
As you may have heard, the start of September saw the launch of Wirral YFC’s new health and social education department DARA (Drugs, Alcohol and Relationship Advice). I am very excited to be leading the development of this much needed project on Wirral. The project aims to help young people make good, wise and mature choices around the issues they struggle with in relation to their physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. This will be done by:
- Offering all Wirral schools drug, alcohol and relationship education,
- Pioneering a mentoring scheme
- Further development of the Romance Academy in and out of schools.
If you would like to see some more information on DARA and Romance Academy, and the vision and heart behind it, then please visit our new website at www.wirraldara.org.uk.
I really believe that as Christians we are called to respond to the world’s needs and drug misuse and relationships breakdown is one need I feel God has called me to do something about! National and local statistics show that Wirral has some of the highest rates of unplanned teenage pregnancy in Europe and so the need for this project is clear. However, it is the stories of the individuals we meet that most compels me. I have met many young women who have had multiple sexual partners and many failed relationships simply because they just want to find ‘anybody’ to tell them they are loved or to make them feel special. I have also met many young men who feel they need to ‘conquer’ as many young women as they can in order to be respected by their peers.
Statistics also show that we have some of the highest rates of cannabis use and binge drinking amongst young people in Europe, and that in the UK alone around 13,000 young people are admitted to hospital each year with alcohol related injuries (HM Government Drug Strategy 2010). One of the ways the government plans to reduce the demand for drugs is through the provision of good quality education. This is what DARA will seek to do on Wirral. Be a part of the solution!
Through this God given project we believe that we will see real change and I would very much value your prayers!
- Please pray for Godly wisdom in all the decisions I make.
- Please pray that we will easily make good contacts with schools on Wirral (Secondary and now Primary too!).
- Pray for the young people who will hear our message of hope
- Please prayerfully consider supporting us financially, we have really stepped out in faith on this project
Thank you so much for all your support and prayers. They really do make a difference in the lives of the young people we work with. We really couldn’t do it without you. Please continue to pray for me and the new DARA project.
Zoe Abernethy
Jobs – July 2011
Wirral Colleges Work
New work in Wirral Met College and Birkenhead 6th Form College: We are currently exploring opportunities to launch a new project which will be specifically aimed at working with students at Wirral Met College and Birkenhead 6th form college. We are eager to make contact with existing students and staff at either college and with anybody who is considering joining in September. If you know anyone who fits the bill please can you ask them to contact the Wirral YFC office on 0151 647 8400 or via email using office@wirralyfc.org.uk.
Youth Sunday
On the 11th September 2011 churches from across the Mersey Region will be focusing on themes which particularly relate to Young People. Many will be encouraging their young people to take a lead role in their services and others are inviting uniform groups and schools to join them.
What are you and your church doing for Youth Sunday 2011? We would love to hear your plans.
Week of Prayer 4YP
Mersey Region Week of Prayer for Young People
From Youth Sunday on the 11th September 2011 to Sunday 18th September 2011 churches from across the Mersey Region will be praying specifically for young people.
As well as large prayer events happening all over the region, smaller groups and individuals will all be spending time interceding on behalf of young people, their youth leaders, their teachers and those who make the key decisions that effect them.
Nearer the time we will make a number of resources available to you so you can be part of this very special week and we will be publicising information about the various events in the weeks and months to come.
So what will you and your Church be doing for the Mersey Region Week of Prayer For Young People, 11th-17th September 2011? And for Youth Sunday – 11th September 2011? We would love to hear your plans.
For more information please visit http://prayforyoungpeople.info/
