Robin is a Thrive supporter who is currently living in one of their houses in the Barton estate. Hear how he’s experienced the work of Thrive as they live in the community, offering a safe place for young people, and seeking to bring hope and lasting change.
My first Sunday in Barton was spent having lunch with Judy, Cerian and a family from the estate. It was great to meet some of my new neighbours, as well as to enjoy a good roast dinner. What stood out to me most was the moment where the little four year old girl was warned against misbehaving – “if you keep playing up, you can’t go to Sunday@5” (the community church on the estate).
Hold up, what? If she misbehaves, she won’t be allowed to go to church? Usually it’s the other way around; if you keep misbehaving, I’m going to make you come to church. Immediately, I saw that things were happening here in Barton.
I’ve been living with two members of the Thrive Team for a couple of months now – and I’m loving seeing how this house is meeting needs in the middle of the Barton estate. One of my first nights in the house I answered the door to a young teenager, about fourteen, who asked me to pass on a message that he had heard they were mentoring young people and he would really like a mentor.
It’s just an ordinary white door, but for some reason, people keep knocking it.
A young couple in their early teens knock; they’re having issues in their relationship and want someone to mediate between them. A mum knocks; she’s had an argument with her partner and wants somewhere to stay with her daughter. The Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked once too, but all they wanted was a good yarn.
It’s just an ordinary house in an ordinary estate, hosting ordinary people. But there’s something extraordinary about the way young people feel welcome. Something just quite special about arriving home after work to see a young lad playing the Xbox in the front room with his mentor. Something really uplifting to see half a dozen girls coming every Thursday to cook and talk through issues and conflicts; though I am a little disappointed at the lack of leftovers.
It’s great to see firsthand what happens in one house where Thrive Team members live. And I know that I’m only seeing a small snippet of it. I feel really privileged to see what’s going on at such close quarters. Really amazed at how much credibility these guys have on this estate already and how many relationships they have formed and are deepening. Sometimes I wish they realised just how incredible the four of them are, how much of a difference they are making in people’s lives.
And in the midst of it all, what challenges me most, and inspires me to talk to some of these young people, and get trained as a mentor, is that these are just ordinary people, living in an ordinary house on an ordinary estate.
Robin
