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We hope you enjoy reading our latest newsletter.
This June edition of the newsletter has been used as a summary from our Annual Report. I trust you will be impressed with the range and amount of work done last year.
If you want a full copy of our Annual report please contact Peter Twigg.

My thanks go to our staff, our dedicated volunteers and the many people who support the fund raising efforts of the Project and of course Friends of Teenbridge Project.

What a year:
In the last year a lot has happened, the Hole in the Wall has now been open for a year and has been a good success. I would like to thank Pete Twigg, Vicky Eames, and Jon Miller for their hard work. And also I would like to thank all the volunteers that are helping at the Hole in the Wall for their hard work and commitment too. And we continue to pray for God’s provision of new volunteers. But we mustn't forget the other great things happening throughout the project, with work continuing in Teignmouth and Kingsteignton. I would like to thank all the Project’s workers and volunteers for their hard work and commitment.
Also Capstone, our outdoor activities outreach programme, this has also been running now for over a year and continues to go from strength to strength, thank you Leon for your hard work with this and we pray that it will long continue.
A new initiative this year has been to start the ‘Friends of Teenbridge Project which has been a huge success so far and pray will continue to do so. Thank you to Su for setting this up and to everyone who has joined the Friends of the Teenbridge project to support us.
We have been blessed lots:
- With a great team of trustees, thank you to all of them for their commitment and hard work.
-Financially with donations and fund raising and we thank Su for all her hard work with the fund raising and we also thank Noel for all his hard work keeping our finances in order, a job I know I wouldn't want.
-Also a great team of volunteers who give up their time week after week; we thank them greatly and also welcome any new volunteers too.
-With Ben and Jake our YFC lads this year thank you for all your hard work this year you are great.

Next year looks to be an exciting year with the project moving forward and some changes ahead but we look to God and trust in him for his guidance.
God bless
Paul Whitford
Chairman

FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial year 2009/2010 sees the Teen Bridge Project finances come through another year successfully.
However a word of caution is necessary. The closing balance of £22925.42 compares with a closing balance of £36698.30 from the previous year.
There is an operational deficit of £13772.88 for 2009/2010 compared with an operational deficit of £10119.59 in 2008/2009. However 2009/2010 includes work in the Hole in the Wall which has total expenditure for the year of £31199.49.
Last year I reported that there was a major increase in both the amount and the number of individual donations. This has continued, thanks to Friends of TBP and the focused approach to increase our regular giving base. Regular monthly individual donations have gone up from £530 per month to almost £1100 with about 46 regular donations each month.

We are extremely grateful, not only for these regular donations, but also for those who make one-off gifts through the year.

Noel Fray Treasurer

TEIGNMOUTH
Streetreach
The work on Teignmouth sea front has continued for another year with many young people meeting us each week – being offered hot drinks or cold drinks, being offered something to do with our basketball net & football posts and a variety of small games and circus equipment, and having someone to chat to and take an interest in them. Our team of volunteers have continued to be admired by Police and PCSOs for their dedication and willingness to be there on Friday nights.
What does the work achieve? It gives young people something to do and encourages them to make positive use of their leisure time and to enjoy their surroundings. To quote an old saying ‘the devil finds work for idle hands’ and evidence shows that young people often get into trouble because they are bored time on their hands with nothing to do. It gives the young people an appreciation of older people. Our workers are positive adult role models – willing to listen, to share and help, to get alongside and spend time with the young people. We believe that this will influence them when they are older and maybe parents to think how they enjoyed people listen and spend time with them. It distracts them from other negative patterns of behaviour whether drinking alcohol, taking illegal drugs, or anti social behaviour.
It also enables the ‘christian community’ to be out there providing a service for young people and saying that they are worth something, they are valued and wanted as members of society.
Through the winter numbers began to get low and as a team we met to discuss if we should change what we do or even stop. But everyone felt there was still a need and so we carried on and numbers have increased again. It has been good to see older faces again of people we have not seen for a while and we are seeing new young people too.

Kingsway Soccer.
This group has been running for 6 years or so, informally turning up at the back of the Meadow Centre playing football with whoever turns up and having drinks through the evening. We are still amazed how popular this time is. Young people are waiting for us to turn up and organise the games, and have discussions over a drink telling us how their week has been, what has been happening in schools, in family, with friends.
This year we went through a period when we only had younger ( 10 -12 year olds) turning up to play, and then for no reason we started to see young men who we met 5 – 6 years ago and who now are at College or in work or sadly not working. Now we have a mix of all ages.
We ask ourselves what is it that keeps them coming back? Is it the football? Well they could do this on their own without us. Is it the drinks? No they all live close by so could get a drink from home if needed. We believe its these but also more than these it’s a whole package of care, of being interested in them, willing to spend time with them, support them, encouraging them to think ahead about their life, getting them to work together, be responsible for their own actions, work in teams, listen to instructions – a whole package of life skills. All underpinned with a love that God gives, and shows to us, a love that says everyone is of worth and valued. We do talk about our faith and about what it gives us but only in appropriate moments and in relevant ways. I think over the year we have got it about right… if we had been too ‘bible bashy’ the young people would have stopped coming!

Schools work.
In addition to the above we have been involved in taking SMS ( Spiritual and Moral Studies) lessons in Teignmouth Community College, leading assemblies in TCC, Trinity Senior and Prep school, Gatehouse school, and taking Boarding chapel in Trinity school on a monthly basis.
What does this achieve? It enables us to say our ‘christian bit’ so young people when we see them in other contexts know where we are coming from. It also gives us opportunity to see young people in another context and have follow up to other conversations either in or out of school. We are able to portray Christianity and Christian thoughts in a positive way whilst staying within boundaries of the school.
This year a new lunchtime group has started with the support of Riviera Life church in Torquay. One of their youth group goes to TCC & wanted to start a group so we have worked together and started a new group “loaded”– a mix of fun, social and sharing Christian thoughts. So far it is working well with a mixed group of pupils attending. We pretty much see the same people too which is nice and we can get continuity and get to know them.
Rock Solid lunch club at Trinity School has gone well this year with Ben and Jake assisting Emily Tomes and myself. We have given the young people a choice of what subjects we should cover as well as doing some we want to cover as well. Overall the group runs well although attendance is affected by the weather – when the sun is out fewer pupils turn up!

Peter Twigg

KINGSTEIGNTON
Capstone Adventure Outreach programme celebrates its second year providing climbing courses; team building challenges and Christian outreach to young people aged 12 – 16.
Young people progress through four levels of the programme learning the necessary skills required to climb, abseil, rock scramble and work together as a team. The first level focuses on establishing relationships with the young people and sharing Christian testimonies. The second provides opportunities for the young people to take part in Memory verse challenges from the Old and New Testament. The third explores Questions and Answers on faith and the fourth level provides a ten week Youth Alpha course.
Rock Sport
Level 3 (Outdoor) ran in June – July for all eight young people from the previous levels and included a two day mountain expedition to Snowdonia in North Wales.Supporting staff: Rupert Greeves
Level 1 (Indoor) ran in July (Full course)
Level 2 (Outdoor) ran in July – August (Full course)
Supporting staff: Jon Miller
Level 1 (Indoor) ran in November (Full course)
Supporting staff: Young Volunteer
Level 1 (Indoor) ran in February (Full course)
Supporting staff: Young Volunteer / Ben and Jake
Rock Sport plus (Advanced Indoor) which included a ten week Youth Alpha Course
Supporting staff: Rupert and Christine Greeves

TRANSITION
Transition (Assertiveness Training for teenage boys)
The programme which helps support teenage boys going through the transitional stages of adolescence provided a six week pilot program to two lads.
Comments from a young person and a supporter…
“When is there another Transition running because I want to do it again?”
(A young person - aged 13)
Firstly, the new-found self-confidence of the two lads shone through. They were able to talk clearly and enthusiastically about their experiences, and evidently appreciated the personal time and guidance they had received from you and your team.

Secondly, I could see that both the lads were drawn to a clearer understanding of what life is all about, and were able to begin to make sense of their own place in our complex world.

Without wishing in any way to denigrate the important work being done to give young women an equal place in society, I am especially glad to see teenage boys offered the opportunities for personal development, and warmly welcomed the invitation to older men to come and support them for that evening's presentation. I was impressed at the number of men who came, with their enthusiasm and interest.
(The Rev. Timothy J. Woods)

OTHER KINGSTEIGNTON WORK
Charity Abseils
Capstone has been providing charity abseil events off St.Gregorys church tower in aid of the Teenbridge Project.
Street Reach was able to meet with young people at Clifford Park on Wednesdays and Friday during the January and February with the help from Tim Cracknel. Tim is studying Youth and Community and applied Theology at Moorlands Bible College and brought a fresh and inspirational approach in sharing the Good News of Jesus to the young people we work with. Street Reach continues on Friday afternoons.
Rock Solid after school club for 11 – 14s kicks off a new term with a new resource called ‘Start Something’. A six week modern approach in exploring who is Jesus, what he was like, why did he die and what did he teach starts at the end of February. During the Easter period the club aims to go on their Away Day to Woodlands Leisure Park.
God moves…At the end of the spring term at Rock Solid the young people were given the opportunity to pray the Prayer of Commitment and begin their journey with God.
Six young people prayed the prayer and made the commitment to follow Jesus.
God has really blessed Rock Solid.
St. Michael’s Primary School
I have been running a pre-rock solid for eight children in year six during Friday lunch times. Activities include themed games and team building style challenges to gain the 10 Commandments. Ben and Jake have supported the activities and engaged well with the children.
Leon Brown

HOLE IN THE WALL
This last year has seen many challenges and many firm relationships being made between all involved with the venue. Young people are now beginning to want to get more involved in the day to day running of ‘their’ venue.
Many of the activities that have run over the last year have been chosen by the young people and would not have been successful without their enthusiasm.
Some of these are as follows;
Outside; Games on the lawn, football, team challenges, build a kite, model raft race in the brook, catch, sitting in the sun and chatting and a few fantastic games of tag on the Lawn as well as a ‘litter pick’ around Dawlish.
Inside; Regular quizzes, pool competition [a prize given by Dawlish Youth Council], Wii, Guitar Hero, Band Hero, guess the caption for the picture, fancy dress and karaoke competitions. Craft; enamelling, friendship bracelets, origami, clay modelling, card making and painting. Two girls were inspired to want to produce a logo for the Hole in the Wall and their painting now hangs at the front of the venue. Sitting and completing jigsaw puzzles has produced some surprisingly deep and open conversations. Our discos have encouraged one young man to try his hand at being a D.J. he’s so successful that others now want to try it too. Some young people produced around 15 Shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purses, Christmas Child appeal for young people in E Europe who might not have had any Christmas presents.
We also made wicker Lanterns with the help of community artist Lauran Ballard.

Summer events; Dawlish Carnival Week; Raft race- we weren’t last, just close to it. Procession- after a long day, hours of work by the young people weeks before, they were placed in first place in their class. Holey Award Ceremony, a product of the isensation computer based media course. We also made Robotic Bees for the Trail Art around Dawlish. The bees were made with the help of Lauran Ballard. We also had Nomad from Youth For Christ (Stuart, Tim and Hannah) with their football cage sharing their Christian faith in relevants way to them.
Organised trips; Go-kart racing, day on the beach, cycle ride [in the rain], BBQ in our courtyard, pantomime at Shaftsbury theatre, Meals out [thanks to, Too Delicious and The Ugly Duckling], Climbing on Dartmoor [Supervised by Leon and Jon].
Sponsored events; To date two Abseils have been held, both very successful and would not have been possible if we had not been in the capable hands of Leon.

Young people requested a pot behind the bar raising money towards new games, equipment and free activities. A Jumble sale was organised and run by the young people.
A number of grants were applied for by the young people including one to Dawlish Youth Council and one to the Youth Opportunities Fund. Unfortunately we were turned down by the Youth Opportunities fund but were successful with our bid to Dawlish Youth Council and with the money received the young people purchased Band Hero.

Positive relationships and support; These continue to be formed with the PCSOs, Dawlish Community College, local Churches, the local Parent Support Advisor, the young people, parents, V’inspire [a volunteer award scheme for 16-25yrs], Dawlish Youth and Town Council.
Dawlish Community College; Vicky has been involved a number of C.A.F ( Common Assessment Framework) statements working with other agencies and organisations to support young people who need help.
Volunteers; We have seen some changes with different people leaving for various reasons. Our current Volunteers are very committed and beginning to look to use their skills whilst helping out within the venue e.g. with Circus Skills and various craft activities. A couple of volunteers have completed their food safety in catering course, some have done the ‘What Every Volunteer Youth worker Should Know’ a course run once a month for 3 months with the Exeter Diocesan Youth Advisor at Teignmouth Baptist Church. 

Our Youth For Christ gap year students Ben Crouch and Jake Wain have both been superb helping and developing the venue. They have listened to the young people and tried to provide and organise exciting activities, some of these being; isensation [computer based media course], Exploration Station [exploring what it means to be a Christian], Spotlight [make and produce music] and Get Connected [ a fun monthly Saturday night light hearted introduction to the Christian faith].
Also a special mention for Sarah our Thursday cake lady. She has been brilliant in supporting us in a way she feels happy with and using her talent!


FRIENDS of TEENBRIDGE PROJECT
This finance is crucial to the long term well being of the Project. In these hard economic times where money from trusts and grants is harder to get it is vital that we can rely on local supporters in this way.

If you would like information about how to become a ‘Friend’ or if you know someone who you think would like to become a Friend please contact Su Twigg (01626) 777310. She will contact them and inform them of what it entails and how quick and easy it can all be set up.

GAP BUS.
We are looking to make more use of the GAP bus mobile youth centre, but we need more drivers & volunteers.
Think you can help?
Contact Peter Twigg.

CURRENT WEEKLY TIMETABLE
Monday
Rock Solid ( K)
Boarding Support (T)
Hole in the Wall (D)

Tuesday
Hole in the Wall including isensation (D) & evening session.
Rock Solid—Trinity (T)
Soccer @ Kingsway (T)
Rock Sport (K)

Wednesday
Loaded lunchclub (TCC)
Hole in the Wall Exploration Station (D)
Streetreach (K)

Thursday
Hole in the Wall ( D) incuding iSensation
Independent Listening (T)
Fit4life (T)
Rock Sport (K)

Friday
Hole in the Wall & evening session (D)
Streetreach (T)
Streetreach (K)

Saturday
Hole in the Wall (D) including Spotlight
Monthly youth event.


CONTACT DETAILS:
Peter Twigg             peter@teenbridge-project.co.uk            07971 438322
Leon Brown            leon@teenbridge-project.co.uk              07964 419693
Vicky Eames           vicky@teenbridge-project.co.uk            07972 927990
Admin                      info@teenbridge-project.co.uk