|
|
The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
|
a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
|
|
|
|
|
April 2006 |
|||
|
|
||||
Backyard AngelsBruce Geeves spoke with Stephen East about his vision for a new ministry to assist the elderly and needy people in the West Tamar district with gardening and light handyman work Bruce Geeves: What was going on in your life before you got a vision for this kind of ministry? Stephen East: Nothing much was happening until I got married and then we both got more involved in church and I also had more time on my hands. About three years ago I was bored and didn't have a job, although I really did enjoy gardening. I noticed elderly people going into Beaconsfield Hospital. Home and Community Care could not support this work and there was no-one around to do what we now do. I was responding to a real need. Was there much encouragement for you when you started? There was a lot of encouragement and prayer from the parish and the local community, although it's hard when you are trying to recruit people for physical work. So, how did things start? First up we needed a purpose-built trailer, so I asked for support for this. All the metal, the lights and the wire were donated - the whole trailer was built by donation and we got it painted for half-price. Then I put together a management team to help organise the running of Backyard Angels, and then we put together a team of workers. No doubt there have been some frustrations and some unhelpful things said. There were lots of little things that slowed us: I found co-ordinating it all rather frustrating and we had to seek sponsorship of the trailer and undertake safety courses for chainsaws/ brushcutters and do a first aid course and do an OHS course. It was all a bit slow for me - I wanted to have it all done today! A couple of people were unhelpful, saying we were just stickybeaks and do-gooders, and one Christian stood up and said it wouldn't work; but there was a lot more helpful support like phone calls from the late Premier Jim Bacon and Bishop John and Tim Scheuer. The local community is really good: they keep you going. We were helped greatly by Ministry Council and a Community Grant from West Tamar Council. What do you think is the highlight of this new ministry? The satisfaction of being able to help people in their 80s who could not afford this kind of help. It was personally satisfying to receive a Tasmanian Volunteer Recognition Award. I'm looking forward to growing and sharing the Backyard Angels ministry. On a personal level my faith has grown and I am more comfortable to share myself and my Christian walk now. What would you say to someone starting with a vision for this kind of thing? Don't lose sight of that dream. Keep going.
|
|
|||
