DFiLL No.7 Regenerate-RISE by The Sheffield Centre

Discovering Faith in Later Life JULY 2008 Number 7

Regenerate-RISE Reaching the ISolated Elderly

Mission in an Urban Context Michael Collyer CA Exploring evangelism, spiritual needs & fresh expressions of church among older people. The Sheffield Centre Church Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Research Unit Directed by Revd George Lings Email: ask@sheffieldcentre.org.uk

CONTENTS

CONTEXT Responding to demographic shift

3 3

REGENERATE-RISE STORY Vision An unfolding journey Regenerate.com Regenerate-RISE What does RISE look like in practice? Inter-generational development What has been the driving force behind Mo?

4 4 5 6 7 7 8 9

CHURCH AND CHARITABLE TRUST COMBINED Church connections? Advantages of gaining charitable status Significant expansion

10 10 11 13

REFLECTION The need to address poverty and social exclusion The need for partnership The need to learn from urban fresh expressions of church The need to think long-term

14 14 17 18 19

CONCLUSION A mission strategy that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t start with church A mission strategy that ends with church The bottom line

22 22 24 25

FURTHER READING

CONTEXT

Responding to demographic shift The demographic shift to an ageing population within the United Kingdom and indeed throughout the world has been well documented and reported. Unless this is addressed by government, other agencies, and the church, it will lead to the increasing social isolation of elderly people caused by exclusion from social relations, exclusion from civic activities, exclusion from basic services, and even exclusion from the church. This is particularly true of those living in urban depressed areas of our major cities. The consequences of such exclusion often lead to physical ill health, immobility, malnutrition, and declining mental capacity. What follows is the story of one person who in obedience to God has risen to addressing the challenge of exclusion, against all the odds of succeeding. This story proves that older people's sense of wellbeing and worth can flourish and their quality of life can be improved when they are supported physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The driving force and inspiration and indeed the ongoing inspiration behind this project is Mo Smith. Arising solely from her deep conviction of being the hands and feet of Jesus to a neglected, deprived, disabled and vulnerable group of people, Mo has turned a community around for good, with people ultimately finding faith in Jesus.

REGENERATE-RISE STORY

Vision Initiated in 2001, Regenerate-RISE (Reaching the ISolated Elderly) is a tough pioneering ministry in an urban setting reaching socially disadvantaged, forgotten, isolated older people. Regenerate-RISE (or RISE for short) believes that older people should be valued and respected in today's society. Therefore, they are committed and dedicated to improving the quality of life of isolated older people. A report submitted by the trustees to the local authority, made the following statements: We believe that when the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;lonelyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are no longer in the solitary place and become integrated back into society, isolation soon becomes a fading memory and is replaced with a new hope for the future and a new reason for living.

We believe that no-one is too old to fulfil a dream or a life-long ambition and that old-age or disability is not a barrier to that fulfilment. We believe that old age does not discriminate against finding fulfilment in life within the community and we actively help engage the generations. They aim to encourage and help them to live the rest of their lives enjoying themselves with the company of other people by providing a range of activities and outings. These enable them to experience new adventures, visit new places and achieve unfulfilled dreams. RISE does not discriminate against disability, age, race, religion or gender and looks to provide a service to the whole person including their spiritual wellbeing. Based at the Platt Christian Centre in Putney, RISE has been commended by the Kings Fund and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation as an organisation that provides a unique all round service to older people, that gives that "little bit of extra help" which enables older people to stay living in their own homes. RISE is recognised for providing a unique service to many who were isolated and helping them to integrate back into society. RISE is a company limited by guarantee. Though it is a registered charity, its ethos and values are based in the Christian faith. Mo Smith is the driving force behind this project. The origins of the project lie in her faith journey.

An unfolding journey Mo’s faith journey has its roots in the local Brethren Sunday school, where both Mo and her identical twin sister were sent regularly on a Sunday afternoon, although neither of her parents attended church. Her parents also sent them to the Girls Life Brigade, which they both enjoyed until reaching the age of 14, after which Mo had no Christian influence in her life for a couple of years. However, with her sister, she joined a youth club at 16 which was a part of the local FIEC church Mo Smith FRSA (Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches) and both her and her sister became Christians at an evangelistic event led by a then well-known evangelist called Sylvia Smith. From this very moment, Mo became an active Christian and whilst in the 6th form at school became a member of the Christian Union and held weekly prayer meetings in her bedroom, which overlooked the school. At Hook Evangelical Church, Mo had a heart to reach people with the gospel and became missionary secretary on behalf of the young people. With her sister and friend, they formed a trio, singing and playing guitars and together were part of the team that worked in the Dive-In Christian coffee bar in Kingston. When Mo left school she worked for Shell International Petroleum Company as an audio typist and, in 1970, met Ray her husband. They married in September 1972 and moved to Rotherham in Yorkshire where Mo enjoyed working with horses, exercising hunters and show jumpers for 25p an hour! In 1974, they felt the call to return to Surrey and lived in Cobham, where Mo resumed work with Shell for a short while before the birth of their son, Andy, in 1975. They were active members of the Cobham Christian Fellowship, later to be renamed Pioneer. Mo was very involved in the local community and became transport organiser for Cobham Care which worked alongside the health centre providing lifts for the elderly, disabled and isolated to the doctors, hospital and clinics.

Kingston Hospital

Mo had two miscarriages and in 1979 after their 2nd child, Debbie, was born she suffered a serious illness which was to last for 10 years, during which time Mo became virtually housebound and for outside trips was dependent on a wheelchair. She spent many weeks during that time in both Kingston and Westminster Hospitals undergoing major operations and inpatient treatments, and remained very poorly.

Although there were many times when Mo couldn’t attend church, her faith in God did not waiver and she discovered she had the ability to design knitwear. Through her experiences, she was inspired to write her first book, which was published by Dorling Kindersley and sold 90,000 copies across the world. The book was unique and included a children’s story illustrated in knitwear with the patterns for each jumper in a variety of sizes. Mo went on to design for major women’s magazines and her sweaters which included well-known characters were published regularly. Her second book was called

Noah’s Ark Knits published by Autumn House and she was thrilled to be able to illustrate the Bible story in knitwear. Mo also began to have a heartfelt desire to care for people with disabilities and began to train people as volunteers to care for people with HIV through an organisation called ACET (Aids Care, Education and Training), which was founded by Dr. Patrick Dixon. Mo is clearly a woman who doesn't like to sit still! Through the ten years of a wilderness experience Mo continued her faith journey and, in 1989, became well again. She attributed this to God healing her after being anointed with oil by the elders of her church. She had an amazing new lease of life and valued every moment of it. The family together decided to move to Putney, SW London to be a part of a new church plant at the Platt Christian Centre, which was a partnership between the Shaftesbury Society and Pioneer. The Shaftsbury Society were also responsible for managing the Robert Joy Day Centre for older people in Putney funded by Wandsworth Borough Council, and Mo was appointed to the Centre's management committee. She was employed by ACET, based in Putney, as their administrator and enjoyed leading the Sunday Children’s Church at the Platt and being involved in the youth clubs during the week. Unfortunately, Mo’s daughter Debbie went through a very difficult time in London and in 1996 Mo, her husband Ray and daughter Debbie moved to Woking in Surrey where Mo currently lives and is a member of the Coign, a New Frontiers church. Regenerate.com Amazingly, in 1998, Mo was appointed centre manager of the Robert Joy Day Centre and found herself back in Putney. The day centre was a failing one due to low numbers attending and so was threatened with closure, but Mo with her passion and calling to reach people with the gospel, as well as being fired by her personal experience of immobility set to work to bring about change. With a lot of hard work she turned the centre around and, following a deputation to Wandsworth’s social services committee, convinced the councillors to keep the day centre open. This was the beginning of what is now a strong professional relationship with the Council. Mo has always worked hard at building relationships with local councillors, the voluntary sector, churches and agencies in the area. The turn-around of the day centre was achieved by integrating the able-bodied older people with the disabled and Mo said they had to install stair lifts and ramps to make it accessible to all. Her programme extended to giving support to members in their homes, visiting them in hospital and taking them out occasionally at weekends and evenings. Her son Andy worked with her at the centre and later on her daughter Debbie became her assistant and went on to be manager when Mo changed her role. In 1999, The Shaftsbury Society decided to close their lunch club in Roehampton, and both Andy and Mo decided to put in a proposal to Wandsworth Council to start a new lunch club work with the aim of transforming the second most deprived area in the borough of Wandsworth. They identified the need for a lunch club in the heart of the Alton Estate (at one time the biggest housing estate in Europe) to reach the isolated elderly who lived in or around the high rise blocks of flats. Mo secured funding from

social services and set up a charity named Regenerate.com. Wandsworth Council gave a higher than normal grant with the proviso that, alongside the lunch club that opened in January 2000, Regenerate.com initiated other new projects for the area. Within six months, Mo had recruited a detached youth worker for the estate and three new projects for youth had begun. Regenerate-RISE In June 2001, RISE was established with the purpose of visiting the isolated, transporting them to the lunch club and taking them on outings outside of London. In July 2005, Wandsworth finally closed the Robert Joy Day Centre after 38 years of serving the community. It gave Regenerate.com funding to start a new RISE project in Putney for three days a week and Mo provided a service to Putney members at the Platt Christian Centre. In April 2006, Regenate.com divided into two organisations in order that each one could focus on their specific target group and a new company limited by guarantee and registered charity called Regenerate-RISE was born, devoting all of its resources and time to the over 60s. A new board of trustees was formed and Mo became chair of trustees of Regenerate-RISE whilst Andy continued working with young people. A year later, in April 2007, following the loss of funding from Wandsworth for the lunch club, Regenerate-RISE amalgamated their two centres into one - closing the one in Roehampton and centring its work in the Platt Christian Centre in Putney, but keeping a sharp focus on its outreach work in Roehampton. What does RISE look like in practice? The activities are wide-ranging and diverse. They include: o A cinema showing DVDs and videos with themes related to Christian topics, health, education and leisure all viewed from the comfort of sofas and arm chairs. Chair-based exercises are given by their own qualified trainer and member. o Weekly activities of art, bingo, debates, entertainment, games and quizzes. o Regular outings that take people to pub lunches, garden centres, theatres, art galleries, tea dances, other day centres and places of interest. o User involvement is essential in giving people a sense of worth. They are actively involved in running the day centre, actively involved on the advisory committee and on the board of trustees. o Extra support is given where the need arises in collecting prescriptions, visiting people in hospital, providing telephone support and help with shopping in emergency situations. All this enables the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s members to feel part of a community that aims to provide a full and exciting life to those who once felt they were an abandoned and forgotten generation. In addition, transport is available four days a week, three to

Putney and one to a new Centre in Roehampton, both of which are fully accessible to the disabled. Hot nutritious meals are provided at a very reasonable cost. Holidays and breaks are available throughout the year. Art is of particular interest to their members, and they hold exhibitions of local art as well as participate in local art appreciation. By these means, frail elderly people are given plenty of choice in meeting their specific needs. They feel valued and of worth again. It is achieved by mentally, physically and spiritually moving people from a sense of isolation to being integrated back into a community - a community that is building new relationships, providing an enhanced quality of life and a new sense of well-being. Mo, reflecting on the distinctive nature of RISE, says it connects with frail and lonely elderly people who have no natural networks nearby, such as family and friends, and have become socially isolated through their disabilities. Many become mentally depressed, having lost their social networks, and go on to become physically poor in health. RISE offers hope to the many single older people living in the high rise blocks who would otherwise be particularly vulnerable, unable to move to a different area and often trapped into a way of life that can become almost unbearable. Inter-generational development It became apparent that the elderly living in or around high rise blocks of flats had become afraid of walking the streets alone in their community so Mo secured neighbourhood renewal funding for an inter-generational project called INTER-gen, which aimed to find ways for local young people to be involved with the elderly project bringing the community together. RISE takes young people on work experience from schools and colleges in Wandsworth and provides a varied programme of training to help students learn about the "care" side of their work, as well as the complexity of running a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. In particular they work with: o o o o

South Thames College - in providing work placements for students studying health and social care Putney High School - in providing inter-generational opportunities for young and old to mix and share experiences Youth Inclusion Project - in providing the opportunity for young people to earn community merits by serving the members within the centre St Mary's Church of England Primary School - in providing inter-generational opportunities for young and old to mix and share experiences

The young people from the local youth inclusion project (YIP) who are at risk of truancy and crime attend the day centre to serve the elderly with meals. Students from Roehampton University also participate as part of their service learning placements. In

this way, the fear of young people experienced by the elderly has begun to gradually subside. In 2002, Mo initiated a company (limited by guarantee and a registered charity) called SHINE Again (Support and Healing using the INtegrativE Arts) with her daughter Debbie, a qualified child psychotherapist. SHINE Again gives integrative art therapy to children and young people who have been through difficult or traumatic experiences. This year, Mo has initiated a community interest company called Rise nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Shine Community Transport to provide transport and vehicles to individuals and local organisations. The purpose of a community interest company is to ensure that the profits are given to named charities and therefore both Regenerate-RISE and SHINE Again are the beneficiaries. Mo is planning to set up another community interest company called Rise nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Shine Care, which will provide alternative home care to older people. What has been the driving force behind Mo? Throughout, Mo has been motivated by her strong Christian calling to care for and assist the poor, the marginalised and the isolated. Since their marriage in 1972, Mo and Ray have had 34 people living with them at different times, providing people with shelter at a point of crisis in their lives. Using her administrative skills gained whilst working for Shell and ACET, she has equipped herself to set up three registered charities and a community interest company and has raised funds from trusts, companies, the Department of Health and the local authority in order to secure funding for these projects. Mo has trained to be an NVQ Assessor in Care in order that all staff can practice a high standard of care to the members.

CHURCH AND CHARITABLE TRUST COMBINED?

Church connections I asked Mo whether she considered her missionary activities had support from a sending church; the short answer was "No, not in an on-going way" but she went on to say that they were not discouraging. They occasionally gave prayer support and did show an interest in what she was doing, but the projects have not officially been a part of the church. "Generally speaking", Mo said "New Frontiers were not supportive of what they call parachurch organisations." This view is not uncommon. Mission is thought of as a vital activity of the church, but only one among others says Kirk in What is Mission?1 and goes on to view "…mission as the essential being2 (my emphasis) of the church that has not yet been fully recognised". Praise@Platt is a time of worship that has recently evolved for all those involved with Regenerate-RISE. Mo describes it as low-key and simple and it includes reading from the Bible, prayer, reflection, worship with members playing musical instruments and a short talk – lasting about 45 minutes. There is lots of interaction with people sitting round tables as if it was a normal day. The Gideons have provided large print New Testaments and the words of the songs are on the wall via an overhead projector. They are from Songs of Fellowship for Small Worship Groups and each week members are given a picture postcard with a verse for the week to think about, as many attending have no basic Christian teaching to fall back on. CDs or DVDs are played as a musical accompaniment with appropriate sound levels for the hard of hearing. A meal of sandwiches, crisps and cakes are provided after the service which is held on a Sunday afternoon with modern songs of worship continuing in the background. The Precious Moments DVD, the occasional singing from the microphone of Amazing Grace and the taking off of Jim Reeves and Dolly Parton in singing This World is Not My Home has led people to want to know more about Jesus and is awakening a new hunger for God. Mo is passionate about the day centre providing Christian love and service in action and believes that it is the key to changing lives. Older people’s openness to receiving the gospel was noticed by the way in which the 12 members from RISE who attended a recent baptism, cheered and clapped when the member gave his testimony as to how he became a Christian. Praise@Platt has only been going for a little while, and 20 isolated elderly people attend, 95% of whom are non-churched. They are from diverse backgrounds - ranging from being brought up in Spurgeons children’s homes to those who were part of large families. Some are dependent on benefits whilst others have savings. Some have had severely 1

Andrew Kirk What is Mission? Darton, Longman and Todd 1999 p.20 This view is actively broadcast in the timely publication of Mission Shaped Church a Church of England report Church House Publishing 2004.

traumatic and difficult circumstances to live through and others have lived a "quiet" life. The majority do not have any particular denominational allegiances and in this sense the church feels non-denominational, the oldest attendee being 95 years old. Over the years, Mo has also provided opportunities for the members to attend Christian concerts and held Kings and Queens in Roehampton, a party for the over 60s where 500 pensioners were told that RISE loved them and God loved them, and they all left with a red rose to remind them of that love. Mo has said that Christianity has always been at the forefront of what they do. She believes that by being the hands and feet of Jesus, the love of God will be implanted in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearts. They have held Alpha courses and on one of them, a 92 year old man who hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been to church since he was 17 years old, but nominally Church of England gave his life to Christ, and arrangements were made with the local Anglican church for him to be confirmed. He then joined his local Anglican church and sang in the choir. He is now 96 and nearing the end of his life and Mo said that Christ has made an enormous difference to his life. A 72 year old member of RISE who attends Praise@Platt was recently baptised at the local New Frontiers church and he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ever been a regular church attendee. He now regularly attends the church where he was baptized and loves the lively worship and is now helping with the project they run with people suffering from mental health problems. Praise at the Platt, although using the Platt Christian Centre, is not sponsored by any specific church and is totally independent and self-funding and comes under the umbrella of RISE. Mo, a pioneer missionary, describes the work of RISE as an emerging expression of church/community of a post-denominational nature which sometimes functions as a gateway for the de-churched and non-churched to re-establish links with traditional forms of church. For other members, Praise@Platt helps them revitalise their faith or find new faith at the end of their lives; because they do not find another church, Praise@Platt becomes their church. Advantages of gaining charitable status "It is essential in pioneering this kind of work" advises Mo, "to seek charitable status for fund raising and to consider setting up a limited company to safeguard personal financial liability should the company become bankrupt. The enterprise is then accountable to both the Charity Commission and Companies House." To become an official registered organisation such as this is very helpful to the process of securing grants as it is not easy to get grants if you are not officially recognised. Setting up and applying for company status is relatively easy as you can obtain model application forms that can be tailored to your own requirements in terms of Objects and Powers etc. It is not absolutely necessary to engage a solicitor as forms will be returned for correction

where necessary. Setting up a social enterprise company is a little more difficult, but directors can earn a salary and all profits have to be "asset-locked" to an assigned charity. Within RISE, the whole of the grant from Wandsworth Council is absorbed in paying the staff and other funding has to be found to support the volunteers and purchase and maintain the two minibuses. Members pay for their transport but RISE receives a Bus Service Operators Grant towards the cost of the fuel. The following seven golden tips are given by Mo to secure funding: o Network as widely as you can â&#x20AC;&#x201C; relate well to other agencies and organisations o Research the trust you are applying to and be creative in your funding bid â&#x20AC;&#x201C; being certain that you are filling a gap o Purchase the Guide to the Major Trusts Volumes 1 and 2 and Guide to UK Company Giving o Know what your vision and objectives are and match this to what is possible and sustainable o Need to be a registered charity or a social enterprise company o Take risks o Pray and trust God for inspiration RISE being a registered charity has appointed a Board of Trustees. They are committed to providing a quality service to the community of SW15 and believe very much that the service should be user-led and involve the members in decision-making at every level. To that end, they have two members who are trustees and a 96 year old as an honorary member. They both represent the members' views to the Board and are involved in the decision making process - one more step in reducing the social isolation of older people! The Board includes Mo as chairman, Ray her husband, a doctor practising at Kingston Hospital, two members and the honorary member. They also have a secretary and a financial advisor who attends every meeting - eight people in all. The RISE Advisory Committee which supports the Board of Trustees is made up of six client representatives and representatives from the local community, including a sister from the Roehampton Convent and one of the leaders of the local New Frontiers church. Mo represents the trustees and there is also a member of staff who attends. The committee look at the day to day running of the centre and it is particularly helpful to have the members sitting on the committees as it truly is a user-led organisation. Recruiting volunteers is crucial for developing any community initiative3. At the time of my conversation with Mo she was able to fund 149 hours per week for paid staff working over a four day week, some on a job share arrangement. In addition to this, volunteers were recruited to assist with the project from the nearby South Thames College for students needing work experience. Three volunteers were helping out at the Platt Christian Centre, four engaged in visiting the isolated elderly, either in hospital or at 3

It is not always that easy to recruit volunteers. The CVS (Council for Voluntary Service) is located in most towns to support voluntary groups especially for those trying to initiate new projects. They can also provide help with constitutions providing advice on organisational development and fundraising.

home, and seven attending various committees. RISE has recently enrolled volunteers from Hillsongs church to visit the isolated elderly in Roehampton. In addition, eight client members of RISE are also volunteers both within the centre and outside and Mo, as Chair of Trustees, is also a volunteer within RISE. Over a three month period, that amounted to 800 volunteer hours essential for running RISE over four days per week. RISE aims to care for their staff by providing a full programme of training and support by using both internal and external trainers. RISE is also dedicated to improving their standard of care and their aim is that every member of staff will have an NVQ in care within the next two years. They also consider it important to follow the Department of Health guidelines on stress in the workplace to avoid high levels of absence. Training and support is offered by the newly formed company Livability (formerly John Grooms and The Shaftesbury Society) who are the owners of the Platt Christian Centre. Significant expansion RISE has recently been granted "Section 64" funding worth £150,000 by the Department of Health to initiate five new RISE projects across the UK from 2008 – 2011. The target areas will be Sheffield, Birmingham, Nottingham, Kingston and London. The plan is to recruit one person to research, network with churches, agencies, local authorities and organisations in those areas to find churches that will "rise to the challenge" of caring in their communities for the isolated elderly. They aim to start with a ‘blank sheet’ in each of the areas before setting up projects that meet local needs. The project might be lunches, it might be activities, it might be a visiting programme, or giving support to people in hospitals etc. The appointed person and Mo will work with the local church in the area by helping them apply for funding, to set up the project and to set up a RISE advisory committee in their location who will mange the project under the overall umbrella of the RISE trustees. Mo said that she was looking forward to reaching hundreds more isolated older people and hopes that through working with churches and organisations, there will be additional opportunities to share the Christian faith with many who have lost hope and will now have the chance to find new hope.

REFLECTION

The need to address poverty and social exclusion The distinctive nature of RISE is that it has, from a Christian perspective, sought to address the issues of poverty and social exclusion of people growing older in deprived urban neighbourhoods. RISE-ing to the Challenge: Reaching the ISolated Elderly Within the Challenge of an Ageing Society, a 2008 report from RISE written by Abi Osborne and edited by Mo Smith points to a ‘cycle of isolation’. The report says that the isolation they encounter is a complex web of issues that form a degenerative cycle. The report points to a report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology on ageing which states that "Inactivity and isolation accelerate physical and psychological declines, creating a negative spiral towards premature, preventable ill health and dependency." On the basis of observation and information gained from their members the ‘cycle of isolation’ model is as follows: Physical Health Problems Strokes, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure Parkinson’s, Osteoporosis

Age-related Problems Arthritis, hip replacements Wheelchair user

Disability

Ill health

Unable to get out

Cycle of Isolation

Break down of social networks

Depression

Malnutrition

Major Life Change Bereavement, Loss of a Partner, Change of Accommodation or Location, Adjusting to later life, Financial Pressure

Generative Mental Health Problems Dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, etc

Diagram showing isolation as a complex cycle of problems entered into from four main points

In addition to this complex cycle of isolation, many older people living in deprived areas such as in Wandsworth suffer multiple deprivations4 such as o o o o o o o

Income Employment Adequate health and disablement care Education, skills and training Housing services Security The living environment

Mo has seen that tackling isolation amongst older people in our society is one of the most important charges the church and society in general must undertake. By helping older people out of isolation they have seen improvements in mental and physical health which will contribute to a reduction of the need for higher dependence later and will therefore reduce the strain on the NHS and society as a whole. RISE has proved that working in partnership with other services in positive ways can improve the quality of life for older people. Putting social care into action requires you to: o o o o o o o

Research and assess the needs of the area Plan and prepare a programme to meet the needs that you have identified Network with the local authority Build a team of like-minded people sharing your vision for change Praise God for the opportunities that arise Pray for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;divine appointmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Prepare proposals for funding

Growing older in deprived urban neighborhoods is the focus of some research undertaken by Thomas Scharf, Chris Phillipson and Allison E. Smith in Growing Older: Quality of Life in Old Age5 from the perspective of older people who are potentially vulnerable to poverty and forms of social exclusion. While it is not possible to look at this in any kind of detail in the context of this short paper, it is useful just to have a snapshot of some of the issues. The researchers concluded that there are five factors in relation to exclusion that are particularly relevant to the circumstance of older people, and especially to those living in deprived areas. Namely: o o o o

exclusion from material resources exclusion from social relations exclusion from civic activities exclusion from basic services

See The English Indices of Deprivation 2007 Summary www.communities.gov.uk or for further information email indices.deprivation@communities.gsi.gov.uk Tel. 020 7964 4400 5 A book introducing the work the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) who funded the Growing Older Programme, published by Open University Press 2004

o neighbourhood exclusion Exclusion from material resources were reflected in measures of deprivation and poverty. Measures of deprivation are based on an "index of multiple deprivation" comprising of seven items especially important to older people, such as no central heating, no use of a telephone, and no access to a car. In relation to poverty, respondents in the research presented a list of "26 socially perceived necessities". Items include such basics as two meals a day, home contents insurance, and the ability to replace worn out furniture. Using these kinds of measures, the research found that 45% of respondents lived in poverty. Exclusion from social relations was measured against indicators such as loneliness and non-participation in common social activities. In each case, isolation was judged to occur where individuals lacked relevant informal relationships, or where contacts with relevant members of the social network were infrequent e.g. when a person has no relatives or children, or sees a child or other relative less than one per week, or has no friends in the neighbourhood, or has a chat or does something with a friend less than once per week. Exclusion from civic activities included attendance at religious meeting or meetings in community groups. Nearly half the respondents (47%) said they attended neither. Respondents were presented with a list of 11 civic activities and asked whether they had undertaken any of them, these included a wide range of activities, chosen to reflect different types of civic engagements like writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper and taking part in fundraising drives. The most commonly observed activity was voting, with 68% of respondents voting in the last general election. Respondents who did not participate in meetings of a religious or community nature and who did not participate in civic activity in three years preceding interview were judged to be excluded from civic activities. Exclusion from basic services becomes increasingly important in later life particularly those restricted by health and mobility problems. The range of services included those in the home with access to basic utilities such gas, electricity, water and telephone. The research revealed that although the majority of older people had access to these, not all made use of them in order to make ends meet. Beyond the home, access to services like a post office, chemist and bus service were considered to be important. One indicator of neighbourhood exclusion was that of personal security. Relatively few respondents felt safe when leaving their home after dark as many reported that they had had personal experience of crime. The feeling of such vulnerability thus restricted their ability to participate in important social roles just as Mo had discovered, before initiating the inter-generational project. See above. In summary, the overall conclusion of the research confirms Moâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s experience at the "coal face" that "it is evident that older people in deprived urban areas appear to be more vulnerable to the experience of different forms of social exclusion than those living in the UK as a wholeâ&#x20AC;ŚCommunity engagement represents a route by which individuals can

remain valued and effective". Mo has witnessed transformations take place in the lives of individuals by their inclusion and in meeting their basic physical and spiritual needs6.

From

Ill-being Isolation Despair Sadness Boredom Anxiety

to to to to to to

Well-being Love Hope Joy Creativity Peace

The need for partnership Mo’s way of working mirrors the community ministry model explained and demonstrated by Ann Morisy in Beyond the Good Samaritan. In a nutshell, it is about how Christians and non-Christians can work together in partnership. This new approach to mission states that: "Community ministry provides a way of retrieving an important and neglected aspect of the church’s mission, that of calling out people’s involvement in their community and, through this, enabling them to embrace a struggle wider than their own. It is from this that the potential for new insights, including a recognition of the significance of the Gospel, can dawn. Community ministry enables a local church to achieve this by: • • •

developing community projects which provide a structure through which church members can express their discipleship; using community projects to attract the involvement of those from outside the church; using the insights which come from involvement in a community project to enable people to break through conventional, secular thinking.7"

Morisy goes on to say that community ministry is about a group of both Christians and non-Christians working together in order to create something out of nothing. Mo’s approach to ministry and a significant part of her strategy is that she invites everyone to 6

For further study on spiritual needs see Albert Jewell Ageing, Spirituality and Well-Being edited by Jessica Kingsley Publishers 1988 7 Ann Morisy Beyond the Good Samaritan Mowbray 1997 p.10

take part, including those whose skills may appear very limited, and so makes use of a wide array of abilities. It is in this way that Morisy advocates "that community ministry can be a remarkable facilitator of those ‘Kingdom reversals’ which are often a hint that the Holy Spirit is at work". This approach really believes that people, especially those whom we label as needy, can think for themselves and take effective action for themselves. The need to learn from fresh expressions "How does fresh expressions of church relate to an area of deprivation or a marginalised community?" is one of the questions posed by Eleanor Williams in her book Fresh Expressions in an Urban Context8. What can we learn from her research that might be relevant to projects like RISE who find themselves with some members who see it as their church? Three core practices emerge from the urban fresh expressions of church examined by Williams: • • •

Identifying with the life of Jesus Transforming secular space Committing to community as a way of life

These core practices lead to a further six quoted by Williams from Gibbs and Bolger, Emerging Churches, p.235 • • • • • •

Welcoming the stranger Serving with generosity Participation as producers Creating as created beings Leading as a body Taking part in spiritual activities

This list well sums up Mo’s intentions in reaching elderly isolated, but as Williams points out, this presupposes a middle-class educated background. In reality, within an urban culture, there are more likely to be problems with addiction, mental illness, a culture of dependency, apathy and low self-esteem rightly pointing out that reaching out in urban deprived areas requires starting further back. This certainly has been Mo’s experience in that it has been necessary to meet the social and health needs before engaging at the spiritual level. The research by Williams confirms in her conclusion that "What marks out most of the fresh expressions in urban deprived areas is that their starting place has been in developing community and the challenge has been how to grow (churches) in the other areas." Contrast this with inherited church where the starting place has been worship and where success is measured by church growth. For Mo, and others like her, success is being the hands and feet of Jesus walking in the steps of Christ; the fact that you are where the greatest need is, equates to success. Numbers are unimportant. Success is also 8

Eleanor Williams Fresh Expressions of Church in an Urban Context YTC Press 2007

achieved by being yourself, sharing your faith journeys and struggles, walking with the person(s) you are ministering to, giving your skills away, empowering others, giving the right kind of input. The success of growing crops is to understand the soil, use the right tools and determine what is sustainable without the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Don’t grow what does not grow naturally and ask yourself, "what more can I do to be effective?" Drawing on a number of research sources, Sara Savage and Eolene Boyd-MacMillan in The Human Face of the Church have identified the following factors as key for the viability of urban expressions of ministry9: 1. Having a clear vision 2. Listening to the context and allowing that listening to shape the fresh expression 3. Beginning with sufficient resources of: a. People (core team-members with a mix of gifts, for example, evangelists pioneers, pastors and Bible readers); b. Finance(from local and other churches, if possible; and c. Time (at least a five-year commitment from the core team-members who are released from denominational responsibilities, or responsibilities in other churches for at least that long as well). 4. Setting up accountability and support structured to prevent being swamped by need; can be slow and people’s needs are great. 5. Developing mutually enriching relationships with the wider church including a level of acceptance so that something is not a threat even though it is different and that there may not be much visible (fruit in the conventional sense of numbers coming to church). 6. Building in processes for theological reflection The need to think long-term The findings from Williams’ research includes a section on sustainability in which six areas are considered; context, finance, leadership, time commitment, accountability and relationship with other churches. These are the essential foundation stones that need to be in place. 1) Context The research reveals that in most urban deprived areas the church is unattractive to the target group. For instance, the church may not be located in the geographical area of socially deprived ‘working class’ people where cultural barriers exist. People attending the church may not feel welcomed and accepted. Church members often do not know what it is like to live with low income, debt, housing problems, addictions and mental health issues. Expectations that people in deprived areas can undergo immediate life change experiences is unrealistic, and does not understand that transformation requires long term engagement of acceptance and love. Added to this is the reluctance of clergy and ministers to serve for the long term, and that often few Christians live in the area. 9

Savage and Boyd-MacMillan The Human Face of the Church Canterbury Press 2007 p.133

The area may lack a sense of community where people have become socially isolated by physical, emotional, and psychological problems leading to apathy, low esteem and even depression. 2) Finance Finance is crucial to sustainability. Perhaps it is the keystone to success. This certainly has been Mo’s experience; they are not dependant on funding from the church but funding providers who will support a community project addressing some of the immediate community needs. It would seem from this research that securing long-term funding is next to impossible. Mo has to go through the very time consuming process for securing funding as funding contracts near their end. Usually funding is provided for a three year period after which fresh bids need to be applied for. 3) Leadership This can be a problem as often employees and volunteers will not have all the necessary skills. RISE has been dependent on indigenous leadership with training and mentoring often provided by Mo herself, who in turn has been trained as an NVQ assessor as indicated above. This has resulted, as the research has revealed, an empowering of the culture with the advantage of low levels of external control which has proven to be a good investment in time. So often, external courses become too academic and distanced from the reality of the working environment. 4) Time commitment As we have already hinted at, Williams reports that almost all the interviewees commented on the length of time it took for signs of faith-growth and changes in behaviour. Trust needed to be built up and barriers broken down. Mo would argue that this is true of providers and helpers as well as users and members; five years is mentioned as an absolute minimum and probably longer. Williams points out that this is commonly accepted in church planting circles but still needs to be reiterated in relation to fresh expressions of church; there are no quick fixes. One interviewee said "There’s a lot to do before we can think about people taking steps of faith, relationship building, crossing bridges; slow and small numbers." 5) Accountability In Mo’s case the support, as already stated, does not come from the local church but from the trustees of the charity and the advisory group. RISE and Praise@Platt operate entirely free from the constraints of the main-line churches. This results in high accountability, coupled with low control - a very great advantage. However, a lack of accountability to an ‘official’ church could potentially lead to an immature fresh expression of church10. Lack of accountability may even lead to ultimate failure of the project. 6) Relationship with other churches The research has revealed that the most difficult and painful areas for those working in fresh expressions has been the response, or in Mo’s case, lack of serious support from the 10

For further reading see George Lings chapter on Fresh Expressions of Growing to Maturity in The Future of the Parish System Church House Publishing 2006

local churches. Some fresh expressions leaders have found that local churches were reluctant to accept that what they were doing was a valid expression of church because it was growing in a way that was very different. Without acceptance by the wider church it was hard to feel empowered, affirmed and supported which many have found very difficult. It is suggested that from the planning stage onwards, open dialogue with the local churches can be fruitful in establishing collaboration. Mo has worked hard in building and maintaining relationships with the local churches as a post-denominational set-up.

CONCLUSION

RISE is the story of one person who in obedience to God has risen to addressing the challenge of a mission to isolated and excluded elderly frail people. RISE has been instrumental in giving them a life against all the odds of succeeding both from a personal and social level. On a personal level, Mo's experience of a illness that left her wheelchair bound gives her the strength to keep going; she believes it is important to use the time that God has given her as best she can, because we never know what is going to happen to us tomorrow. Many a stronger person would have given up on the social level faced with the daunting task given the social context. Both the social and health services as well as the church often assume there are insufficient resources available to meet the social and spiritual needs of so many isolated elderly and thereby deem such work impossible. In this way, they lack the will to confront the issues of older people and, in particular, the elderly frail. Newcomers to this type of urban mission must guard against romanticism and be prepared to face up to the tough demands that this ministry requires, well able to rise above continuing knock-backs and disappointments and yet still refuse to lay down. There will be many hurdles to negotiate. It is not a side ministry or midweek church activity but one needing a great deal of resource for the necessary long-haul. Mo's determination is the kind needed to get this tough kind of work off the ground. Any similar project will need a pioneer leader of this calibre, that of David standing against Goliath, not fearful of the giant before him because of the conviction that God is on his side! This type of ministry may seem unattractive to volunteers in that the benefits are not always seen as mutual between carers and those cared for. For example, work with children may appear rewarding as you have the chance to invest in the next generation. In work with older people, their futures appear bleak with the fear of increasing isolation. The volunteers are faced with the constant challenge of convincing older people to think that transformation is possible and their future can be brighter. With children, the knowledge that there will come a time when they will care for you can be an incentive; in working with older people there are no such rewards. However, there are unforeseen mutual benefits. Practitioners often discover that working with older people over time helps them understand more fully the human condition and benefit from their wisdom. Older people can be instrumental in developing the evangelists' understanding of faith; hearing the stories of those who have faced the realities of life is deeply enriching. Seeing older people come alive again is unexpectedly rewarding especially if the carer has had a large part to play in the process.

A mission strategy that doesn't start with church In Encounters on the Edge No.3411 George Lings states "Today the best examples of mission are journeying into surrounding cultures, not persuading people to come into church culture." This is very much the philosophy underpinning Mo’s approach with a desire to care for older people’s very basic needs. Mo and her team have been wise in starting RISE not through first establishing a regular public worship event but by first securing funding and establishing a trust. This unusual beginning, though time-consuming in administration, has created a platform on which resources have been secured to sustain an effective ministry to older people for their physical and emotional needs. Mo has since been able to integrate an effective spiritual dimension alongside care. In Sowing Reaping Keeping – People Sensitive Evangelism12 Laurence Singlehurst says that within an urban deprived area due to excessive needs among the residents care will have to be a priority over meeting spiritual needs as a sowing stage 1. In keeping with this model of evangelism, the opportunity for people to listen to or watch DVDs at the day centre relates to sowing stage 2 with reaping occurring during Praise@Platt. We would do well to learn from urban fresh expressions of church that have found the best place to start is to grow the community dimension of church. The need to start with community NOT church. Because •

It is important to find gaps in what is not provided in the community to save repetition and achieve effective, transforming ministry. Listening to context and need is vital.

•

It is not the kind of ministry that can be a church's side ministry but a major focus of mission because of the kind of resources/skills needed to grow and become sustainable.

•

It is much easier to secure funding with clear aims and objectives. Even a business plan will help!

This story shows that ministry in urban deprived areas will involve varying amounts of organisational back-up with low levels of control. Residents in these areas often live with high levels of chaos and unpredictability due to crime, substance abuse, unemployment, financial hardship and volatile relationships. Issues of control often prevent churches from being able to partner well with secular organisations. Gaining support from local churches can be like hitting a brick wall, not only because of the often complicated decision making processes through church councils and other similar committees. The church also will perceive itself as not having sufficient funds or 11

Discoveries about fresh expressions of church published by the Sheffield Centre, Church Army’s research unit. Email l.keith@sheffieldcentre.org.uk www.encountersontheedge.org.uk 12 nd 2 edition published by IVP 2006

people resources. Moreover ‘para’ church mission projects are sometimes seen as a threat and therefore should be resisted rather than embraced and positively encouraged. Planning for this type of partnership ministry will require subtle relational skills for leaders13. Because of this, church partnerships with local community activities are often best established by individual members of churches rather than leaders of churches. As the project develops partnerships will increase in complexity as the project multiples out. Mo has worked tirelessly in establishing good connections, networking with social services. The pioneer leader in each new setting will need to hold double conversations to build good relationships with both local churches and social services. Mo’s mission strategy resonates closely to that of Vincent Donovan14 in what he has to say about the content and method of evangelism and how the gospel needs to relate to local culture in creating fresh expressions of church to the oppressed and marginalised. Here the marginalised are those who have become isolated from decision-making processes that affect their sense of well-being, sense of value and sense of being a real person rather than an object of need. Older people need to feel that they belong as genuine citizens of worth and crave for visibility. They need to know that they have not been abandoned by God and are not of less value because of their age. A mission strategy that ends with church? Mo’s project in reaching the isolated elderly is probably unique as its ultimate vision is not based solely in meeting their physical and emotional needs but also the spiritual by establishing a missionary church for older people giving them opportunity to come to faith and express their faith in a non denominational fresh expression of church which clearly expresses the five marks of mission15. Praise@Platt is • • • • •

A church focussed on God the Trinity It is incarnational i.e the leaders see themselves as the hands and feet of Jesus It is transformational – there is clear evidence that people’s lives are being transformed. The church is making disciples by giving people opportunity to grow and share their faith The Church is relational, a community of faith is being formed.

I would go as far as saying that RISE in terms of the ‘three-self’ principles16 of selfpropagating, self-financing and self-governance is well on the way to becoming an indigenous church fitting the culture and led by local people, but this rightly raises questions of sacraments and accountability.

Sara Savage and Eolene Boyd-Macmillan Human Face of the Church Canterbury Press 2007 See further reading on p.26 15 See Mission-Shaped Church p. 81 f Church House Publishing, 2004. 16 As described in Mission-Shaped Church Church House Publishing, 2004. 14

The bottom line Mo is convinced that by demonstrating Christ’s love and compassion in action, people’s lives cannot help but be touched by the amazing grace of God. Putting social care into action must be preceded by: • • • • • • •

Research to assess the needs in your area Plan and prepare a programme to meet the needs that you feel called to Network with local authorities, voluntary agencies, Primary Care Trusts etc Build a team of like-minded people Praise God for the opportunities that arise Pray for "divine appointments" Prepare proposals for funding

To put such a strategy in place does not happen overnight. It has to be preceded by calling and conviction. The qualifications required are unconditional love, a heart of compassion and self-less life. The bible is clear. Mo draws inspiration from: • •

•

We are called to social action "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5;16) We are called to community care "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27) We are destined to do good works "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10) We are all called to a life of sacrifice "Be imitators of God therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:1f)