Latest news
• Kate Aldersley has won a grant award to carry on her work setting up first resort days for people made redundant and looking for support and guidance.
• WORKCARE ran another 'Coping with the Credit Crunch' Day on May 12th 2010.
• According to the BBC News, Jaguar are now back in the black - figures from the last quarter of 2009 reveal.
• Stuart Bidmead, who was part of the WORKCARE team when it was known as MWW, died suddenly in February. A tribute from Graham Hardwick is below.
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“FIRST RESORT IN ARLEY”
‘First Resort’ is coming to the newly-built Arley & St Michael’s Community Centre on Wednesday 17th, 24th and 31st March from 12.30 – 3.00 pm. Following on from the success of ‘First Resort’ sessions in Coventry and Nuneaton, Arley’s Community Centre is the next venue hosting the free sessions, which offer 1:1 support for those who have been made redundant or who are looking at employment and training options. Sessions are open to anyone aged 16 and over.
As well as offering a ‘listening ear’ ‘First Resort’ offers practical advice, signposting and support. WorkCare works in partnership with Nextstep, JobCentre Plus, North Warwickshire Volunteer Centre and Adult & Community Learning. Advisors are on hand with information on local jobs and training opportunities, CV writing, completion of job application forms and general careers advice.
Kay Aldersley, WorkCare Development Officer, said “The churches in
Arley Community Centre is available for bookings by local groups. For more information contact Gerry Koppenhagen, Manager on 01676 542753, email them or take a look at their website at www.arleycommunitycentre.co.uk
The ‘First Resort in Arley’ Project is funded by Warwickshire County Council’s Community Development Fund.
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• Please pray for those churches with a high number of people struggling because of the recession - some overworking, some not working.
• Take a look at out course for Lent on coping with the pressures of the Credit Crunch.
• The Rugby Christians Against Poverty (CAP) centre was launched on Sunday 24th January 2010 during a United Service at
Details of Rugby Christians Against Poverty will be circulated when available.
Tribute to the late Stuart Bidmead
Stuart Bidmead – An appreciation
A slightly edited version of Graham Hardwick’s address.
Stuart was my friend as well as my colleague. We used to meet for a chat, mutual support, even for a swim at Leamington Baths. So it wasn’t just about work.
But it’s work, the agenda of MWW, that we both worked for, that I want to focus on. Stuart and I worked together in reshaping our Industial Mission organisation in what was by then an increasingly cold climate for any so called ‘fringe ministry’.
Stuart, Chris Lewis and I argued that workplace ministry was not fringe ministry. It should be right at the heart of the Mission of the Churches. It was at the heart of the Gospel and the ministry of our Lord.
Stuart demonstrated very special qualities. First was Passion. His beliefs, his ministry of service and respect for all others and reverence for life itself were clear for all to see and demonstrated in his working relationships, support of colleagues and dedication to task.
Next was his professionalism. This was shown in so many ways including working with me in setting policy and practice. He was also central in the developing of workplace-chaplaincies, and was skilled in counselling and confidential support. There was of course the intensely practical skills that he shared with us and brought to the fore in our work, notably in the use of computers.
Stuart shared with me, fellow officers, our Board and administrators a commitment to transform the traditional version of workplace-chaplaincy and its related activity.
Both Stuart and I had to contend with the hostility of some other IM (Industrial Mission) teams who told us that “part-time was a waste of time!” or “The local church is dying!” We were comitted to prove them wrong on both counts.
Without the support (theological, political and financial) of the local churches we would simply cease to exist. We also demonstrated, powerfully I believe, that holding two distinct ministries together was a powerful demonstration of our commitment to the Churches. To develop and expand our impact into working life the recruitment of lay and ordained chaplains with the support of their local churches was vital.
We later had to argue the case for charging real cost fees for our chaplaincy activity. Again the voice of King Canute was heard, this time saying-
“The Churches should fully fund this work;” and “taking company money compromised our work!”
We argued that the Churches couldn’t and wouldn’t fund our work fully, certainly in the longer term.
We were convinced that companies would value the service of properly funded and supported chaplains and their independent observations.
Stuart was very strong in this and I know how much his skills and observations were valued.
He developed work with major companies and the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.
They valued his work very highly and that of the team of chaplains he led.
Stuart had a profound faith, but one enriched by his warmth and humanity, and a deep respect for all faiths, and those with no classic religious beliefs. God was always bigger than any view or theology he might have.
He had a highly- developed sense of fun and humour, which in our office was just as well! It fitted well alongside mine! We always brought each other down to earth with comments like ”Make God laugh, tell God your plans!”
It was joy and a privelege to work with Stuart, more especially just to know him.
These were exciting and challenging times that we shared. I know we shared the same sense of delight and achievement in the revolution in the Churches’ workplace activity.we helped build.
Graham J Hardwick March 2010
WORKCARE
1 Hill Top
Coventry
CV1 5AB