Project Update #1 [15-11-18]

The project has been running for almost a month, and is progressing at pace!

Our first eleven case studies have been selected: they will be

• Bolton

• Bury

• Bradford

• Middlesbrough

• Solihull

• Derby

• Peterborough

• Haringey

• Newham

• Thanet

• Plymouth

Our team of researchers have met with leading academics and public figures in the field, and interviews have begun with key community leaders in our case study locations.

We are excited about the progress being made on this important research, and we encourage anybody who is interested in being a participant in the research to contact Madeleine Ward (madeleine.ward@theosthinktank.co.uk).  

"At least one child is bullied in every class, each day across the UK," the TES reports

I have been shocked and saddened to read in the news recently that at least one child is bullied in every class, each day across the UK. You can read this article in the Times Educational Supplement HERE. Almost half of young people said they had been bullied, face-to-face, in the last six months.

Many of us will have encountered bullying and perhaps have been bullies ourselves. It is a deeply upsetting and threatening thing to experience and is often borne of powerlessness and which creates powerlessness and fear…

The Anti Bullying Alliance (ABA) is a unique coalition of organisations and individuals who are working together to achieve our vision to: stop bullying and create safer environments in which children and young people can live, grow, play and learn.  You can read more about their work HERE.

They welcome members from a wide variety of organisations, including faith groups. You can sign up for their newsletter HERE.

There are lots of different ways to get involved in their work. They also have a range of resources and training programmes available. Why not get your church involved in this work, so that bullying can be tackled and we can all be educated to improve the lives of children and young people in our schools and colleges?

We are approaching the international day of prayer for schools - Pray Day - on 20th November - so perhaps you could pray for the work of the ABA and for the perpetrators and victims of bullying, that peace and reconciliation might be achieved.

As the Scripture tells us… “for God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim 1:7). In the name of Jesus, peace maker and healer, Amen

Revd Sara Iles, FCG Education Asst

Encounter 13 | Incarceration

Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

How does religion play a role in our prison system?

Can faith stop prisoners reoffending?

We speak to Dr Ruth Armstrong from the Institute of Criminology in Cambridge to assess these questions before a hands on discussion with Imam Farooq Mulla and Bob Wilson, both of whom have spent years bringing their faith to the UK’s incarceration system. What are the challenges of this job? In what ways can prisoners be redeemed? And does our prison system need urgent help?

Please find out more about the Podcast on Woolf Institute’s website here.

Lessons learnt from World War One

Photo by James Harris on Unsplash

Amid the destruction and chaos of WW1, and in response to the injuries sustained innovations in medicine and surgical techniques led to much that we take for granted today.

The need for cleanliness in caring for the wounded, the development of blood transfusions, the idea of triage ( the order of treatment dependant on need) are all common place now – if you go to Accident and Emergency Department you will see the Triage Nurse first who will prioritise your care. The National Blood Transfusion Service is now an integral part of our NHS. There was the development of the Thomas splint, for dealing with broken legs and of course the gas mask!

The words Shell Shock were used for those who were suffering from what we now call Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) - the verbal expression of trauma.

Those who declared themselves unable to cope, through shell or combat shock or devastating loss of comrades, were generally treated as malingerers rather than victims.

Few doctors, with the notable exception of W.H Rivers and Arthur Brock at Craiglockhart Hospital for victims of shell shock, explored the verbal expression of trauma. Before 1917, treatment for shell shock involved being forbidden to talk about the war. One officer, treated by Rivers at Craiglockhart, said ‘that it was obvious to him that memories such as those he had brought with him from the war could never be forgotten. Nevertheless, since he had been told by everyone that it was his duty to forget them he had done his utmost in this direction. It was felt that silence settled the mind, and that unpleasant memories could be replaced by means of pleasant activities such as walking and sports. An advertisement in the Pall Mall Gazette (8 May 1919) read: ‘So bury all those unpleasant memories in Dora’s waiting grave … and get your Austin Reed straw hat to signalise the event’ [DORA was the Defence of the Realm Act].

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A poem by Cecil Lewis demonstrat1es this aspect of war and reminds us all of not only PTSD, but other mental health issues in society today:

Photo by Thomas Quaritsch on Unsplash

War is never over

Though the treaties may be signed

The memories of the battles

Are forever in our minds

War is never over

So when you welcome heroes home

Remember in their minds they hold

Memories known to them alone

War is never over

All veterans know this well

Now other wars bring memories back

of their own eternal hell

War is never over

For I knew world war two

And I'll not forget the battles

Or the nightmares that ensue

War is never over

Those left home to wait know this

For many still are waiting

It was their farewell kiss

War is never over

Though we win the victory

Still in our minds the battles

No freedom is not free

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Revd Debbie Hodge
Secretary for Healthcare Chaplaincy, Free Churches
Project Officer NHS Chaplaincy Project

Are you and your church based in the West Midlands?

As you may already know, the Free Churches Group have been developing ways in which our member churches can get involved in Further Education and the life and work of chaplaincy in our local colleges…. you can read more about our work in general in this arena HERE.

If you or your churches have connections in the West Midlands, you may wish to know more about the WMCFEC….

The West Midlands Churches’ Further Education Council exists to:

• Support colleges in the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students and the training and resourcing of staff in matters of faith and spirituality

• Support churches in valuing FE and lifelong learning as part of their wider involvement in education, and providing resources and training to partner colleges in their work

There are lots of links and resources to check out, whether you are in West Mids or further afield… Many colleges in the West Midlands are looking to developing their work and engage chaplains - perhaps there are people in your churches who would be able to use their gifts in local colleges…? Find out more and get involved HERE.