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care about the plight of the unemployed and want to get involved… But we would love to see more churches running specific projects to help the unemployed. This year, CAP’s new Job Clubs initiative makes it easier for
City Gateway was set up in 1999 by a group of city workers involved in local churches. Their aim was to bring hope to their local community of Tower Hamlets. They looked at the need in their area and realised that many
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The need to bring hope to the unemployed is not unique to London. There are people out of work and out of hope in the areas where you are. In some areas of the country, such as inner city Liverpool, Manchester or
“ I don’t agree with the general witch hunt of the unemployed as there are a lot of genuine people unable to work or unable to get jobs.” churches to help people practically by giving them the skills and confidence to find employment.”
of their neighbours had not benefited from the area’s wider economic development. They needed help in order to find hope.
City Gateway is one of the best examples of a Christian-based project passionate about helping people into work and giving them hope.
Now they help hard-to-reach and excluded NEETs (not in education, employment or training) young people and women from across London to overcome barriers including poor language skills and a lack of aspiration.
If you live in the capital and commute into work, you are likely to have heard that the Evening Standard has joined forces with the charity to tackle youth unemployment. In a big way. With backing from leading voices including the Duke of York, Prince Andrew, the Ladder for London scheme is really making a difference. The scheme involves companies taking on one or more City Gateway-trained apprentices. The apprentices are likely to have completed a year of pre-apprenticeship training in vocational areas such as business administration, customer service or sports fitness. Since the scheme was launched last year, 1,000 new jobs have been pledged, 300 young people have become employed and nearly 900 businesses across London have got on board.
Eddie Stride, the organisation’s CEO – who was recently named by the Standard as one of London’s 1,000 most powerful people – says while the organisation welcomes all partners and employees, the Christian message of hope still underlines all that they do. “We’re about building people up and giving them hope by following the example that Jesus set,” he tells idea. “There’s a whole range of things that people need work with that are barriers to getting employment: things like gangs, depression, sexual exploitation and self-harming. “We go about what we do in a holistic way because this is not just about finding people jobs, but about meeting a range of different needs. What we breathe in day in, day out is love. I make it very clear that the heart of City Gateway is the Christian ethos. But we’re not a religious organisation – we don’t just employ Christians. We employ people that can get behind our ethos and help us bring about God’s kingdom here on earth. We want to demonstrate God’s love.”
But while Ladder for London is proving extremely successful, there is still much more to be done – especially when you consider that over a thousand new 16 to 24-year-olds unemployed each week. Ad 64x186 - become IDEA_Layout 1 04/02/2013 17:35 Page 2
Blackpool, the unemployment rates are way above the average and the need is immense. And there are great church initiatives up and down the country responding to the need where they are, including The Work Club run by King’s Church in Preston and the Reading Job Club run by Reading Family Church. Our challenge as the Church is to meet the needs of our neighbours, and as the economic situation across the country worsens, this is one need that churches can try to meet. “The need is right across the country,” Eddie says. “Whatever area you’re in, it’s important that people are inspired to do the same as we have done in their area. Helping someone into work can really transform their life. If you really care about loving your neighbour, then you should do something.” Can you take on an apprentice in your business and based in London? Find out more at citygateway.org.uk or become a City Gateway Friend and help bring hope to young people, find out more at friends.citygateway.org.uk To read the full Working faithfully? report, visit the 21st Century Evangelicals snapshot section of the Alliance’s website. eauk.org/snapshot citygateway.org.uk capuk.org
Speaking hope Trans World Radio exists to reach the world for Jesus Christ. For over 50 years in the UK, TWR has broadcast quality, speech-led Christian radio. We are committed to proclaiming the Gospel through biblical teaching, preaching and current affairs programmes.
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