Latest News from “Perspectives”
Perspectives has seen significant changes over the last few months, with Chris Matthews retiring as centre co-ordinator after 10 years of faithful service, and new leaders taking on responsibilities.
Chris’s determination to set up a centre in Ipswich has had a major impact not just in the town but across the country. She has trained advisors who have gone on to set up centres in Thetford, Frinton, Felixstowe and Somerset. Perspectives supporters celebrated Chris’s work at a church service in Capel St Mary in September, when Michelle Jones and Becky Parsons were also commissioned as joint centre co-ordinators.
Michelle has worked at the centre for 2 years as an advisor and schools worker and will oversee counselling and schools work. Becky’s areas of expertise are administration and finance, and she has been at the centre for 3 years as administrator.
Schools Work
 Perspectives has made a number of schools visits over the last year, with qualified nurses giving talks to the children. Michelle writes “ In 2009 we have had the privilege of talking to over 1,000 students!!! WOW, God is amazing. We have several different presentations for schools and colleges covering matters of life and death, sex and relationships and teenage parenting.
We have decided to stop using the Evaluate material, which we were using under a franchise agreement from CARE, and have developed our own presentations. These are more cost effective and enable us to promote what Perspectives has to offer to young people, we can also now train people in-house for schools work, which will provide us with greater flexibility.”
If you work in education or with young people and would like to know more about Perspectives work in schools, contact Michelle at office@perspectives.freeserve.co.uk . Perspectives are also keen to hear from anyone interested in becoming involved in their schools work.
Spring-Waters, Felixstowe
Lesley Byfield-Loveland was commissioned in September as centre co-ordinator for the Felixstowe satellite centre. Felixstowe are running sessions on a Monday in a children’s centre and this has led to a steady stream of clients. They also have an office and counseling rooms at Maidstone Road Baptist Church.The aim is for Felixstowe to become an independent centre by the end of this year.
Training
Perspectives plans to run the ‘Called to Care’ training course for new advisors in April. This is a 60 hour counselling course accredited by the Association of Christian Counsellors. They aim to follow this with the post abortion support programme in the Autumn. Anyone interested in supporting women and families, either through working in the centre, or through other areas of service should contact Michelle for dates and an application form.
Church Presentations
Perspectives made several church presentations last year. They have a 10 minute power point presentation which provides an overview of the work theydo and how churches can support them.
For more information, please contact the office at office@perspectives.freeserve.co.uk or Tel: 01473 255115 – they would love to visit you!
To see the latest newsletter in full click here.
| 
