Shalom Youth Centre

 Our guests today were  Canon John Ellis and his wife from the Shalom Youth Centre. John has been before on a number of occasions.

After the meal John spoke about the work at  Shalom.Young people  are there because they want to be there and its an opportunity for informal education. "We teach them adulthood because their adult is often not there at home. They are perceptive and soak up influences. They come from difficult backgrounds and  exhibit disruptive behaviour and we keep an eye open for exploitation (there are county lines in operation) We give support and build relationshps with high risk children they need adult support. Without good adult support they are at  high risk".

John gave two examples of problem youngsters - an 11 year old boy who cannot read, write or count - perhaps has never been to school. Does not trust adults and is now integrated. 

A 14 year old girl with alcoholic parents, drinks a bottle of vodka per day, and when 

drunk is aggressive and violent (on one occasion it took 5 policeman to restrain

 her) and is now becoming integrated, 

John said “ we do not give up on any young person” The youngsters say  "once Shal always at Shal"

We presented a cheque for £2.500 to the centre.