
Re: The Boys’ Brigade in Chesterfield
Many thanks for allowing me to speak at your
Churches together group on Thursday evening. As we discussed, the Boys Brigade
has been operating in Storrs Road Methodist
Church , Upper Moor Street , Brampton ,
Chesterfield , S40 3NR , for a number of years
providing a detailed programme of activities for boys and young men aged
between 5 and 18. Over the last couple of years, the group has reached out to
around 20 boys and young men from the local community.
The Boys’ Brigade, or BB as more
commonly known, is a uniformed Christian organisation committed to reaching out
and engaging with children, young people and their families, especially those
who may not normally come into contact with Church. The BB also now works with
mixed gender groups depending on the needs of the Church.
A BB company is run by a Church
whilst being supported by the wider ‘BB team’ to help run outreach for a local
community. This support includes training, insurance, DBS disclosure checks,
development support, local and national events and the benefits of being part
of a wider network of children and young people.
Through the provided programme
resources and wider BB network, BB groups offer adventure, physical, social and
spiritual growth through fun, practical and physical activities whilst
encouraging personal responsibility and teamwork. Integral to this is giving
the children and young people opportunities to consider faith and a life
committed to God.
During early 2014, the current BB Group
Leader at Storrs Road Methodist
Church felt that it was
appropriate to retire from his role, along with his wife who also gave up many
dedicated hours to the BB group. This was a very difficult decision for them
both having served over 50 years each in the organisation. During this time,
two other leaders, who gave up their time to work in the group felt that it was
also time to “move on”, these decisions being made owing to increased work
commitments.
·
Close the group.
·
Make one last concentrated effort to find
a new leadership team that will continue to deliver the good work of the BB
group in the Brampton
community and who are Christians committed to sharing the values of the BB.
Both the Boys’ Brigade and Leadership of
Storrs Road Methodist Church are committed to ensuring that whichever decision
is made on the future of this group, it is done with the belief that we have
tried our very best to continue the provision for local young people, and that
it is done by God’s will, and not ours.
Development Worker
The Boys’ Brigade
Tel: 07930 859008