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NEWS EXTRA

‘CHILDREN’S CHAMPION’ CALLS ON CHURCH TO TAKE ACTION

The Bishop of Leicester is calling on the Church to tackle the intolerance towards children in society, as he becomes The Children’s Society’s new Chair of the Trustee Board this week.

The Rt Revd Bishop Tim Stevens is urging the church to put its beliefs into action by working more closely with children who are being systematically excluded from their communities.

As Chair of the charity’s Trustee Board, Bishop Tim will play a key role in helping The Children’s Society fulfil its mission of challenging the injustices children in England face.

Says Bishop Tim: “We have a Christian responsibility to open up our faith and hearts to the children that others reject, such as young refugees, children in trouble with law, young runaways and disabled children. These are children who are living on the fringes of their communities and need to be loved unconditionally.

“We are in danger of becoming a society that automatically rejects children who have led troubled lives. By turning our backs on them, we will create a legacy of damaged and shattered lives. Our morality requires us to take responsibility for them. We must not let them become society’s disposable children.”

“The Church is a powerful movement and its strength lies in its ability to reflect and act. The Children’s Society gives us all an opportunity to put that faith into action.”

He is backing The Children’s Society’s Safe & Sound campaign – set up to help the 100,000 children who run away from home each year – and is urging people to seize the opportunity of working more closely with the charity.

Bishop Tim is asking people to support The Children’s Society’s Safe & Sound campaign by signing the charity’s ‘Big Sign Up’ petition, to be launched in churches nationwide in November, or in the charity’s shops. The petition calls on the government to set up a national network of safe accommodation for young runaways.

The charity is aiming to get 100,000 signatures – one for each person who runs away from home each year. Some are forced to beg or become involved in crime to survive as they are wary of approaching social services, the police and other agencies to seek help.

Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children’s Society says: “The appointment of Bishop Tim will strengthen our relationship with the church and our mission of reaching out to those children most in need.

“With his leadership and vision we will work more closely with the church to transform the unjust structures in society.”
The Children’s Society’s Safe & Sound campaign is calling for:

Local authorities to put in place guidance on young runaways as required by the government.
A national network of safe emergency accommodation for young runaways under 16.
The Children’s Society is a national children’s charity working with over 50,000 children and teenagers every year, in 90 towns and cities. It works in partnership with communities, schools and families. It helps: children at risk on the streets; children in trouble with the law; young refugees; children with disabilities. It is a voluntary organisation of the Church of England. Visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk
The Children’s Society’s Still Running research (1999) estimates that 100,000 children run away from home or care each year.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		NEWS EXTRA ‘CHILDREN’S CHAMPION’ CALLS ON CHURCH TO TAKE ACTION The Bishop of Leicester is calling on the Church to tackle the intolerance towards children in society, as he becomes The Children’s Society’s new Chair of the Trustee Board this week. The Rt Revd Bishop Tim Stevens is urging the church to put its beliefs into action by working more closely with children who are being systematically excluded from their communities. As Chair of the charity’s Trustee Board, Bishop Tim will play a key role in helping The Children’s Society fulfil its mission of challenging the injustices children in England face. Says Bishop Tim: “We have a Christian responsibility to open up our faith and hearts to the children that others reject, such as young refugees, children in trouble with law, young runaways and disabled children. These are children who are living on the fringes of their communities and need to be loved unconditionally. “We are in danger of becoming a society that automatically rejects children who have led troubled lives. By turning our backs on them, we will create a legacy of damaged and shattered lives. Our morality requires us to take responsibility for them. We must not let them become society’s disposable children.” “The Church is a powerful movement and its strength lies in its ability to reflect and act. The Children’s Society gives us all an opportunity to put that faith into action.” He is backing The Children’s Society’s Safe & Sound campaign – set up to help the 100,000 children who run away from home each year – and is urging people to seize the opportunity of working more closely with the charity. Bishop Tim is asking people to support The Children’s Society’s Safe & Sound campaign by signing the charity’s ‘Big Sign Up’ petition, to be launched in churches nationwide in November, or in the charity’s shops. The petition calls on the government to set up a national network of safe accommodation for young runaways. The charity is aiming to get 100,000 signatures – one for each person who runs away from home each year. Some are forced to beg or become involved in crime to survive as they are wary of approaching social services, the police and other agencies to seek help. Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children’s Society says: “The appointment of Bishop Tim will strengthen our relationship with the church and our mission of reaching out to those children most in need. “With his leadership and vision we will work more closely with the church to transform the unjust structures in society.” The Children’s Society’s Safe & Sound campaign is calling for: Local authorities to put in place guidance on young runaways as required by the government. A national network of safe emergency accommodation for young runaways under 16. The Children’s Society is a national children’s charity working with over 50,000 children and teenagers every year, in 90 towns and cities. It works in partnership with communities, schools and families. It helps: children at risk on the streets; children in trouble with the law; young refugees; children with disabilities. It is a voluntary organisation of the Church of England. Visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk The Children’s Society’s Still Running research (1999) estimates that 100,000 children run away from home or care each year. © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.