Spring Newsletter 2022
It’s a beautiful day outside. It appears Spring has pushed Winter aside. And after what has felt like a winter of hibernation, Oak London has come to life and has launched!
We started our first programme in March and are currently in the middle of the follow-up workshops. It has been such an exciting and rewarding time running the residential and journeying with the participants who have come on board.
Naturally, the process was far from smooth sailing. Below is a little timeline of how it eventually came together.
December
Previous newsletter
January
Multiple meetings and presentations with police and other organisations to develop referral pathways
Attempted first pilot programme. Insufficient referrals.
February
First enrolment meeting with potential participant. Lovely lad. Very exciting for this previously theoretical project starting to become a reality. Further enrolment meetings.
March
Struggling to lock in referrals. Dejected. Prayer meeting with Vince and Denise (legends). Spirits lifted. Decision to go ahead with March residential even if only with a few participants.
Further meeting with potential participants. 6 lads signed up for the pre-programme meet and greet at Hollywood Bowl. 2 turn up. Kyle (staff) excels at bowling.
4 lads sign up for programme.
Day of residential 2 lads drop out.
We go regardless.
Stevie and I ran the residential with 2 participants, K and F. I am so thankful when I look back on it. The setting at Trinity was perfect. It was peaceful, provided us with ample space, and had a touch of luxury. We were also able to join with the life of the college for chapel and for lunch. Each morning we started with a run. By day 3 calling it a ‘run’ was kind. The seminars and activities throughout the time went well. Stevie was a great questioner and coach. Much was discussed.
In the end it was perfect to just have 2 participants on the first pilot and to start small. We were able to build tight relationships with these guys who have come against and continue to come up against some very tough challenges. Running it we learned so much.
Below is a message one of the participants sent after the programme which he is happy for us to share with you:
“It was an amazing! Got to shared the blissful moment and time experienced with you lot to them. To be honest I had never had together moments before were I’m able to opened up and shared my abhorrently encounter things (which you guys obviously know already with my dad) but all I can say now is that my life and insanity has been marinated to do positive things rather otherwise. I’m so grateful for what you guys did for me though it was only four days away, it mean so much to me. I feel comfortability and confidence of myself to do good things and be an easy go person which you lot had entrenched in me! Thanks you guy so much!”
F - participant on first pilot programme
Going forward from here we will complete the 6 follow up sessions, the community project and match them with mentors. The next pilot will come around very soon, set to start on May 19th. We hope to take 4-5 participants away this time.
Thoughts and Prayers:
If you are a pray-er, please keep these things in mind:
Thankful for the first residential getting off the ground and being a success. • Thankful for those who have run the first programmme and are doing so on top of their existing jobs: Stevie, Kyle and David. For the privilege of getting to know and work with K and F.
For K and F, as they continue to navigate various challenges: housing, family relations, education and employment pathways, increasing support network, staying clear of gang activity and affiliations.
For successful referrals for the May programme. For reconnection with those who dropped out of the previous programme.
For referral and funding pathways to continue to open up as we can start to prove positive outcomes from the pilot programmes.
