News

NEWS

You can talk to your children about drugs!

Responding to recent survey results released by Action on Addiction, national charity Care for the Family has some good news for parents: they can make a difference in the lives of their children when it comes to drug use and drinking.

The survey highlighted that two fifths of parents leave the job of educating their children about drugs to schools and the police, while four fifths were reluctant to speak to their children about drugs. Care for the Family believes that its How to Drug-proof Your Kids course can equip any parent to have informed discussions with their children.

“It’s not about being an expert on drugs,” explains Paula Pridham, who has trained hundreds of local presenters of the course in her capacity as Care for the Family’s training manager. “Parents need some knowledge, but the best way to have a positive discussion about illegal drugs, smoking or excessive drinking, is through improved communication and by modelling a sensible attitude towards drugs in their own life.”

How to Drug-proof Your Kids has been run by Accredited Presenters in communities across the UK. So far, over 500 local presenters have been trained and gone on to educate parents in their area. Details of local courses can be found online at www.dpyk.org.uk

“The good news is that parents can make a difference,” says Paula. “They can stop their children from making harmful decisions. This survey shows that many parents don’t believe that they can have a positive impact in their child’s life. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Mission is cool, say church youngsters!

A new survey by Interserve among church youth has revealed a remarkable and solid admiration for missionaries and the work that they do.

Words such as 'exciting', 'cool', adventurous', 'role models', 'friendly' and 'passionate' were used to describe what missionaries mean to them, and no fewer than 74% said that they would like to know more about the lives of missionaries.

The findings of the survey with youth groups with an average age of 15 years and five months and across nine churches in the UK, dispelled commonly held adult perceptions about how young people might view things that aren't 'on their doorstep' or immediately accessible to them.

"We were certainly surprised, but rather pleased also, with these findings," said Alastair McIver, Director of Communications at Interserve, who commissioned the report. "It certainly encouraged us as we look to promote our new youth resources for teens - based on what the young people have told us - in October."

Other research revealed that 69% were interested in other cultures, although a larger percentage of young people questioned (40%) preferred to learn more about issues than individual countries (28%). Top issue named was ... war!

"This research shows three things", says McIver. "Firstly, that mission is recognised by young people as important, second that young people care, and third, that they want to be involved.

"In my view, it sends a clear message out to the Church that it needs to look outwards to the mission field if it is going to keep its young people engaged. When 78% of young people say that they would like to go on a youth trip to an overseas Interserve project, the Church - and the mission agencies like us - had better be listening."

And if that message doesn't get through, the survey revealed the best and worst of church from the point of view of young people - best was worship and fellowship; worst ... long sermons!

Interserve's new youth resources, Xploration and Better Go Now will be available from October. Madventures, the missions comic for 5-10 year olds, is available now.

Climb Snowdon and raise money for charity

The disability charity John Grooms is offering you the chance to climb Snowdon from 16-18 September - the most spectacular mountain in Wales and help raise vital funds for the charity.

Standing at 3,560 ft, Snowdon attracts climbers from all over the world. To see it for yourself this September, you simply have to raise £375 for the charity and everything will be provided to make your climb a truly memorable one: experienced guides will join you in your adventure, two nights' accommodation will be provided, as will food and transport to and from Bangor train station.

So what are you waiting for?

For more information please contact the events department at John Grooms on 020 7452 2115 or e-mail events@johngrooms.org.uk

© 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 You can talk to your children about drugs! Responding to recent survey results released by Action on Addiction, national charity Care for the Family has some good news for parents: they can make a difference in the lives of their children when it comes to drug use and drinking. The survey highlighted that two fifths of parents leave the job of educating their children about drugs to schools and the police, while four fifths were reluctant to speak to their children about drugs. Care for the Family believes that its How to Drug-proof Your Kids course can equip any parent to have informed discussions with their children. “It’s not about being an expert on drugs,” explains Paula Pridham, who has trained hundreds of local presenters of the course in her capacity as Care for the Family’s training manager. “Parents need some knowledge, but the best way to have a positive discussion about illegal drugs, smoking or excessive drinking, is through improved communication and by modelling a sensible attitude towards drugs in their own life.” How to Drug-proof Your Kids has been run by Accredited Presenters in communities across the UK. So far, over 500 local presenters have been trained and gone on to educate parents in their area. Details of local courses can be found online at www.dpyk.org.uk “The good news is that parents can make a difference,” says Paula. “They can stop their children from making harmful decisions. This survey shows that many parents don’t believe that they can have a positive impact in their child’s life. But it doesn’t have to be that way.” Mission is cool, say church youngsters! A new survey by Interserve among church youth has revealed a remarkable and solid admiration for missionaries and the work that they do. Words such as 'exciting', 'cool', adventurous', 'role models', 'friendly' and 'passionate' were used to describe what missionaries mean to them, and no fewer than 74% said that they would like to know more about the lives of missionaries. The findings of the survey with youth groups with an average age of 15 years and five months and across nine churches in the UK, dispelled commonly held adult perceptions about how young people might view things that aren't 'on their doorstep' or immediately accessible to them. "We were certainly surprised, but rather pleased also, with these findings," said Alastair McIver, Director of Communications at Interserve, who commissioned the report. "It certainly encouraged us as we look to promote our new youth resources for teens - based on what the young people have told us - in October." Other research revealed that 69% were interested in other cultures, although a larger percentage of young people questioned (40%) preferred to learn more about issues than individual countries (28%). Top issue named was ... war! "This research shows three things", says McIver. "Firstly, that mission is recognised by young people as important, second that young people care, and third, that they want to be involved. "In my view, it sends a clear message out to the Church that it needs to look outwards to the mission field if it is going to keep its young people engaged. When 78% of young people say that they would like to go on a youth trip to an overseas Interserve project, the Church - and the mission agencies like us - had better be listening." And if that message doesn't get through, the survey revealed the best and worst of church from the point of view of young people - best was worship and fellowship; worst ... long sermons! Interserve's new youth resources, Xploration and Better Go Now will be available from October. Madventures, the missions comic for 5-10 year olds, is available now. Climb Snowdon and raise money for charity The disability charity John Grooms is offering you the chance to climb Snowdon from 16-18 September - the most spectacular mountain in Wales and help raise vital funds for the charity. Standing at 3,560 ft, Snowdon attracts climbers from all over the world. To see it for yourself this September, you simply have to raise £375 for the charity and everything will be provided to make your climb a truly memorable one: experienced guides will join you in your adventure, two nights' accommodation will be provided, as will food and transport to and from Bangor train station. So what are you waiting for? For more information please contact the events department at John Grooms on 020 7452 2115 or e-mail events@johngrooms.org.uk © 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.