This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 24 January 2017. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
A SIGNIFICANT new report highlights the crucial role churches have to play in the cross-sector response to vulnerable children, young people and families in Oxfordshire. 'Doorsteps' is being launched in Oxford on Wednesday 13 May at an event being attended by leaders of different faith groups and agencies, voluntary and public sector representatives, and police chiefs. Led by the children's charity Viva , the initiative is the result of a year of mapping and research, and has included the gathering of data from over 200 adults and young people across the county.
A day conference to discuss issues and share ideas was held last September. The comprehensive report focuses on five major issues facing children, young people and vulnerable families across the county: unstable family life and struggling parents; low self-esteem; lack of vision or aspiration for life; difficulty entering employment and household poverty. Katy Thompson, a Viva Network Consultant, says, "The issues facing children and young people here on our own doorstep is significant and complex; increasingly we need to see them in the context of their whole family.
Often the child or young person is vulnerable because the family is struggling, so we need to work with the family as a unit. "Churches are well-placed to be a part of this response since they are community and relationship-based, and many are already active in work with children and young people in their local area.
However, research revealed that the current focus of many churches' activities is mismatched to the most pressing needs. Katy says, "There is a clear need for churches to review their budgets and consider ways to invest more resources, both funding and people, in activities that focus on the needs of those struggling in the community rather than focusing on internal needs for volunteers and funds, legitimate as they are.
Today, in the light of the increasing need in this current age of austerity, the Church needs to step up and step out even more in action, justice and compassion. "By mobilising and equipping churches in Oxfordshire, the Doorsteps initiative aims to support them to confidently and compassionately meet the needs of struggling families in their community through a locally-focused collaboration. The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher, the Acting Bishop of Oxford, who will speak at the launch, says, "I believe that partnership working is really important.
As resources become even more limited we have got to get more skillful about pulling together.
I hope this report will provide the foundation for future work together. "Viva has two decades' experience with children at risk in overseas contexts but has become increasingly aware of the needs of children in Oxford, where its international office is located, and felt compelled to act.
Katy says, "With Doorsteps in Oxford, we've started just as Viva starts anywhere in the world - mapping the needs of local children, finding out what the Church is already doing, and considering how any gaps could be better addressed through a collaborative response. "