Lifecentre:SUST Prayer Update Nov/Dec 2007

Lifecentre:SUST was originally set in May 2001 to offer professional counselling and support to survivors of rape and sexual abuse. The team of staff and volunteers who run Lifecentre is now around 60 people coming from 19 different local churches.

They average around 170 calls a month on their telephone helplines and every week around 3 new people come for face to face counselling and may stay for up to a year. Their clients range from 7yrs old to 80yrs, men and women, boys and girls.

“I have appreciated the love and consistency and support of my counsellor who has not been afraid to talk with me through even my deepest darkest fears. I now feel able to move on and know that I have a future”. Woman in her 20’s

Highlights to pray for at the moment are:

Support for Life Groups: Survivors’ groups

Plan: We are hoping to set up mixed gender support groups for survivors of sexual abuse/rape in Chichester and Brighton.

Current research and experience of other centres that run such groups testify to the huge benefit of survivors sharing with others their story, learning from and supporting each other. It breaks the sense of isolation, shame and secrecy, allowing the trauma to be more naturally processed.

We are at the stage of building the teams for this, liaising with other organisations in Brighton and fundraising.

Please pray:
• for the two teams of facilitators for the groups to gel well together
• for clarity and good working relationships to open up with the other agencies in Brighton
• for the funding to come in easily for this new venture
• and then …for lots of people to want to join the groups!

Extension to Brighton
We feel it is the right time to set up a simple branch of Lifecentre in Brighton in response to the need at that end of the county where specialised support of the sort we can offer is thinly spread and there is no rape crisis.

We aim to widely publicise our telephone helpline in the Brighton area, set up mixed gender Survivors’ Support Groups, and signpost clients to local counsellors. We are currently meeting with the other agencies already working in this area with the aim of partnering effectively together to fill gaps in services for our client group.

Please pray:
• for good partnering relationships to develop with the other agencies in Brighton
• for the funding to effectively launch these plans
• for the local churches to really get behind this initiative

Mentoring Scheme for Trafficked Teenagers

We are working together with Social Services in Worthing to support them with a mentoring scheme for trafficked teenagers, as well as those identified as being at risk of trafficking. We are at the stage of creating together the project outline for this, agreeing protocol and policies, and will then need to apply for funding.
This project is full of challenges, not least the massive web of secrecy and intimidation these young people are caught up in; fear; and cross-cultural difficulties, including language problems.

Please pray:

for great wisdom in proceeding with this and that God would open up the way forward on this project

Fundraising –a major call for help

An application for a very big single grant put into the lottery this year was not successful. This has been a huge disappointment to us and brought us very close to the bone on our cashflow income. At this moment, every single financial contribution we receive is vital to us.

Please pray for financial provision for us at this very difficult moment.

Without it, we can’t keep going. If you want to help us by organising a fundraising event or simply set up a standing order/give a donation however large or small, please send cheques payable to Life Centre to: Lifecentre:SUST PO Box 58 Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8UD Tel: 01243-786349

Time to give
If you have time you would like to give to help us, you could:
• help out in our busy office on a voluntary basis
• join our small team of fundraisers to organise events in the community or write grant applications
• come and do some cleaning on a regular basis (either on a voluntary basis or we could pay you!)

Under 18s Educator
Our huge thanks go to Anna New, who has worked valiantly for over 2 years, extending our work among Under 18s in schools, colleges and after school clubs. Anna had such a passion for young people and put her heart into the needs of those she met. She has built up a large store of resources and contacts for her work which she has passed on to our new Under 18s Educator, Mary.

Please pray:
For Mary, working hard to re-build contacts with schools, colleges and clubs, creating her own niche in this work. It has been difficult to book lessons in the local schools due to not having had anyone in post just at the key timetable planning time. Pray that the schools really open up to Mary.

Telephone Counsellors

We have 39 telephone counsellors who do an amazing job picking up the phone faithfully when the helpline is open, not knowing who is going to call.

Please pray:

For God to be so present in these calls, bringing hope, restoring life and stability.

Face to Face Counselling
We have 11 face to face counsellors working with Lifecentre now. We are a close team, working in Chichester and Worthing, with Under 18s, adults, supporters, survivors and couples. This work is at the heart of all we do.
Please pray:

For every counsellor and the clients in their care,
That counselling would be a means to restore lives, bring healing and give hope

Thank you for your prayers…. they make all the difference

love
the Lifecentre team.

“Counselling came at a very difficult time Life Centre helped to cope with the court case and helped me to accept lots of mixed-up anxieties. Boyfriend now sentenced and no longer a threat. Getting on with my family without him”
Woman in her 40’s

“Have gained a greater insight of myself through Life Centre which I feel for me has proved a much healthier and positive outcome. It has been very constructive, a safe place and has empowered me to carry on living” Man in his 30’s