This Month’s Director’s Chair is from our CEO Victoria Robson

Happy New Academic Year!

It’s been another busy Summer at The Door. While many organisations wind down in the summer months our team have been full steam ahead. Engaging with those young people who might otherwise have too much time on their hands!  For the youthworkers there have been trips, parties, competitions, baking, craft and more, the list of activities is almost endless.  Our Intensive Support Services have also had busy summer as they have seen referrals continue to soar, sadly a trend we are now getting used to seeing.

Now September is upon us the teams are making sure they can be there for young people as they start back at school and college or move on to their next place of study.

We have managed to squeeze in a few days of rest too!

If you’d tried to contact us just after the bank holiday you will have seen that we were all away. And for this we make no apology, as we all took a much-needed breath, at Viney Hill.  This proved to be a special time of fun, games and generally reconnecting with each other. An invaluable moment for refuelling for the team. 

As well as taking each other on at tug of war, archery and building bridges, the teams spent time reflecting on our ethos. Recently updated to include three key strands: Faith, Love and Hope.

So as we once again look towards a new academic year, we think of ‘Hope’.  Bringing hope to those who are struggling with their mental health, their family lives and navigating life in general. And hope to those who feel on the margins or not included in the mainstream.

We are also working on another key strand of ‘Faith’ with many young people through our illuminate project. Where the team are working to disciple young people, especially in their school communities. We are looking forward to embedding this project across Dursley in the coming months.

Last but not least we will also be continuing to press into the third key strand of ‘Love’, as we work alongside our partner organisations such as Sunflowers who support those at risk or who have experience the loss of a loved one due to suicide. And collaborating with others to ensure that all receive the best possible support. 

These three strands are not, of course, inventions of our own, but are given to us in the verses of 1Corinthians 13:13

‘And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’

For it is on these three strands that we stand firm, as we seek to support all no matter what their past or life challenges may be.