President visits Action for Children

The new President of the Methodist Conference, the Revd Mark Slaney, made the first visit of his term to an Action for Children centre to learn about the important work it carries out.

The Revd Mark was at the West Lothian Therapeutic Activities Clubs and Outreach Services in Livingston on Monday 6 July, where he met staff and visitors, as well as the children and young people who use the service.

Action for Children Sunday, which highlights the work of the Church’s partner charity, takes place on 12 July this year.

Action for Children is the children's charity of the Methodist Church. It was founded in 1869 by Methodist minister the Revd Thomas Bowman Stephenson, in response to the poverty and danger faced by vulnerable and destitute children and young people living on the streets of London.

Today, Action for Children –formerly the National Children's Home (NCH) – has grown to become a leading children's charity, running over 500 projects and working with more children and young people affected by poverty, disability and abuse than any other UK charity.

The Revd Mark heard an overview of the West Lothian Therapeutic Activities Clubs and Outreach Services vision, values and objectives as well as the activities and programmes provided to help support children and young people.

He was given a guided tour and had lunch with staff as well as children and young people.

The Revd Mark said: “It feels like a really calming place, the atmosphere that is nurtured here is very calming and I appreciate how that must be very helpful for the children and their families that come.

“It struck me that the staff here really know their stuff. They know the resources in their toolbox that can help a child develop and they have a bespoke knowledge of each child.

“There is a sense that they believe in the children and it was lovely to speak to members of staff here.

“Of course, Action for Children is rooted in Methodism. They are part of the Methodist family.

“The support and resources for children and young people’s work is diminishing in the world, there are fewer children’s centres, there are fewer youth centres, there are fewer children’s workers.

“That makes this work all the more important.”

To donate to Action for Children, please visit their website