Jesuit European Volunteers
News and Features
Update: 02.06.2006
Great Britain:
Jesuit Volunteers Spread Their Wings
From CHRIS HOGG & KATE GOODRICH
in Manchester
[Chaplain's Weekly, 5 November 2001]
Due to popular demand from previous years, JVC has expanded the summer programme of voluntary work to 3 weeks in 2001 and had 2 communities with a total of 13 people aged between 17 and 27 taking part. Particular thanks to the Jesuits at Manresa House who really welcomed the group in Birmingham and especially to Tony Horan who was subjected to the 'prod a Jesuit session'! (Reputedly tougher questions than most politicians have to face…)
For this year's full time JVC programme we have 16 volunteers living and working in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and countries, including the UK, Germany, Slovakia, France, Uganda and the Czech Republic. They are working with refugees, the homeless, the disabled, those addicted to drugs or alcohol and with children who are excluded from school. They are also involved in campaigning and advocacy work. Last year we calculated that well over 600 people were directly helped by the work of JVC volunteers.
JVC has also started up its first 'Link Community' in London this year with four people, three of whom are ex-JVC volunteers. The idea is that JVC supports groups of people who may be working, studying or unemployed, and who want to live in community with each other. This is a new project, but from anecdotal evidence from ex-volunteers, living in community is what they miss most of all after leaving JVC and it is one of the hardest of the values to feel connected to once you return to 'ordinary life'.
If anyone would like to meet up / visit the new Link Community in London or
has any ideas for how this could expand to other areas in the country then
please get in contact with the JVC office.
As JVC is beginning to take on more work and new projects, JVC is also
expanding its staffing, and from December 2001, Rachel Saum will join the
staff team to be the JVC Promotion and Development Worker. Rachel will be
responsible for developing some of the new initiatives and will be spending
time carrying out research into existing proposals.
Another change will be the departure of Chris Hogg in January, after six years of working for JVC. His replacement is in process of being decided.
Thanks to all those who have helped JVC over this past year; from running residentials, providing spiritual direction, being community partners, checking the JVC finances (providing the JVC finances!) as well as always providing a welcome, food and accommodation when needed… it is very much appreciated.
If you want any more information about JVC in Great Britain:
please contact Kate Goodrich or Chris Hogg
tel: +44 (0)161 832 6888 - email:
staff@jvc.u-net.com
or visit:
www.jesuitvolunteers-uk.org