EYPT

This has been as difficult a year as we anticipated, with the result that the Trust has had to take some painful decisions.

Funding sources became increasingly hard to find, particularly for the core work of our key worker, Philip Bodenham, working alongside young people on the streets, and being prepared to follow through with the issues that are presented. While the hidden result of much of this work is to keep young people out of the reach of local gangs, to give them a renewed sense of hope and purpose for their lives, they are not abandoned if it all goes off the rails. Support in court appearances, visits to young people in prison, after-care, are all vital if we are to continue to show that God never gives up.

Partly as a result of our funding difficulties, we have sought to work in partnership with Worth Unlimited, a Christian-based organisation with a national reach, who have begun to operate across our area.

Initially this involved seconding Phil to undertake specific pieces of work for Worth, which enabled us to continue to employ him.

Finally, however, as from 1st June 2009, we were forced to take the decision that we could no longer afford to employ Phil. We did, however, negotiate with Worth, so that at the same time they offered Phil a part-time contract, taking on specific projects for them.

Phil is determined not to lose the ground which he has gained over the years of his contacts with young people across East Birmingham and North Solihull, and, with the Trust’s support, will continue to work on a part-time, expenses only basis for the foreseeable future.

We hope that this will enable us to find the funding to continue the outreach work, particularly the summer activity camps and the football programme which have been so integral to our work over the years.

Revd David Hulme, Chair of Trustees.