NOTICEBOARD
From time to time we list opportunities, events or requests for help from church members and other churches and organisations in the city. We try to update this weekly so check back for any changes.
Notices
Flat to rent? A good Ukrainian friend of the Redland Welcome Hub, who sings with the Ukrainian Choir, is looking for a flat (2 bedrooms) to rent for herself and her 2 boys from November as she sets out below. If you or your friends know of anything do let Wendy know (wendyhopkins@blueyonder.co.uk 07870 489729). We'd be very grateful.
"My two sons (aged 9 and 15) and I are currently looking for a two-bedroom flat in Bristol, as our current tenancy ends in October. We are hoping to find something for no more than £1200 per month. I wanted to ask if you, or perhaps someone you know, might have any information about a suitable place for us. By the way, I work as a researcher at the University of Bristol and sing with the "Kozachky" group. I would be very grateful for any advice or contacts you could share.
Thank you very much for your support and help.
Warm regards, Natalia"
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Request from Alison Dawson at the Bristol International Student Centre
We have a trainee joining us on 1 September, taking part in the Reach programme offered by Friends International to train up those potentially interested in global ministry and mission. Our trainee is called Zhuxing (English name Oliver), a lovely Chinese boy who we are very glad to have joining us for the year. Oliver is quiet, intelligent and extremely polite, he also has a real heart for people and a desire to serve.
Friends International staff are all self-funding, so Oliver needs somewhere to live and to raise his own funds. We have a couple of individuals who are happy to help with food costs, I've asked our key supportive churches if they help financially, and BISC can cover travel, but we really need either free or inexpensive accommodation, ideally living with Christians.
If you can help, or know anyone who can, please contact Alison at alison@bisc.org.uk
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A plea for help for a sponsor/host and accommodation needed for Iryna and Ivan have come in from both Wendy Hopkins and Zita Adamson, please see below:
Message from the Redland Ukrainian Hub:
One of our close Ukrainian friends, Olga, is looking for a sponsor/host and accommodation for her sister-in-law, Iryna, a geology lecturer, and 16 year-old nephew, Ivan to enable them to leave their home in Kharkiv and come to the UK (eg a couple of rooms or a small flat). Kharkiv is in the East of Ukraine not far from the frontline with Russia and Olga says 'Sadly, the situation there continues to deteriorate, with daily life increasingly unsafe and uncertain.' Financial and practical support are still available from the Council:
If you could help or know someone who might be interested or would like to know more, do get in touch. Email:wendyhopkins@blueyonder.co.uk
Can you help find a sponsor for Iryna and Ivan?
A Ukrainian university geology lecturer (Iryna) and her 16-year-old son Ivan are urgently looking for a Bristol sponsor as their home town Kharkiv comes under increasing bombardment from Russia. Iryna's sister in law, Olga, and Olga's mother already live in Bristol and can help Iryna and Ivan integrate, learn English etc. Olga, who works as a Finance Administrator for Design West (formerly The Architecture Centre) in Bristol, speaks perfect English. They are an absolutely delightful family (Zita Adamson knows them both).
Maybe you can't host Iryna and Ivan yourself. But can you think of someone who might possibly be up for this? If so, please pass on the attachment to as many people as possible. Just sharing this with a friend could be life-changing for Iryna and her son.
The attached document gives full information about Iryna and Ivan plus Olga's details if you have any leads, however remote! If you or someone you know might be able to sponsor Iryna and Ivan, or if you could kindly share this message with others, we would be deeply grateful. Your support—whether through action or simply passing this message along—could truly change their lives.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more information:
Olga Samchuk samchuk.olha.bristol@gmail.com
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Update from David and Bridget Caird - Bristol Churches Shelter
Bridget and I thought we should give you an update on how things went this year with the BCS work, as the church made such a generous contribution to the project through the gift day last year. This year we had an expanded group of willing volunteers from Redland, (18 in total up from 8 last year) to support our contribution to the project. This was cooking and serving food at the guest house on Tuesdays during a 12 week period in Jan/Feb/March. Encouragingly the project has managed to secure a large tranche of funding for next year, (but only to provide for five months, as this year), so the planning for next year is progressing.
Overall this year’s work has had a greater impact than last year with more folk being supported…..here are some key figures;
15 Bristol churches were involved in supporting the project this year along with a number of individual volunteers
31 guests were accommodated over the 5 months
26 guests were found more permanent housing
8 found new employment
Around 1600 meals were created and served over the 5 month period!
See this short pdf report prepared by the project team.
David and Bridget will soon be looking for more volunteers to be involved again next year. Please contact them at: bristolchurchesshelter@inhope.uk if you are interested in serving next year. They will be looking for help on Tuesdays again during the same period as this year i.e Jan/Feb/March.