Since 2005, the Dunbar Area Christian Youth Project (DACYP) has engaged with 1000s of young people in the Dunbar district through schools work, community groups and local churches. Some of those we first worked with are the parents of the young people we work with now.
Our work is delivered by our full-time Youth Worker, a part-time Administrator and a growing team of volunteers.
DACYP seeks to demonstrate Christian love and compassion in practical ways. We also enable young people to explore the Christian Faith.
Summer time
With the school summer holidays fast approaching, the focus of DACYP’s work shifts to our programme of activities that will take place out of school. We are pleased to spread our summer programme across most of the holidays. And although this requires a lot of volunteer hours, we think it is worth it.
I won’t be alone in saying some of my *best summer holidays were not spent going away, but doing stuff where we lived. Mucking about, exploring, coming in late for your tea and making new friends. Our hope at DACYP is to give young people their ‘best summer’.
*Apart from 1977 when I collided with a Mini and spent all summer in a hospital bed with a fractured femur.
The summer programme nourishes the existing relationships our volunteers and Youth Worker have with the young people. It creates opportunities for young people to make new friends, strengthen old ones and remain part of a valuable community where they are valued. Blended into this is our Christian faith, gently but confidently guiding us through life, and using the break from the normal daily routines to pause, reflect and have a lot of fun. If you're looking for high octane, expensive, noisy and impersonal activities - then move along now because that’s not our business.
Our two main activities in the summer are both geared up to helping folk share their lives, stories and beliefs together through the simple, human activities of cooking, eating together at Life Bites, and journeying together, mainly ambling at Life Walks. They are facilitated by a hardy team of volunteer adults of various ages upward of 40, creating a unique temporary community. Just imagine the combination of the life stories of the young and old being shared together. All our provision has allowed for some flexibility to respond to the needs of the group we get, and the things they talk about.
Sometimes we throw in some conversation questions from our ‘DMC Cards’ (Deep and Meaningful Conversations) to focus on faith, but often the young people themselves find plenty to talk about. Having a meal together builds a strong sense of community, and for some young people it is not something they do often. Oh, and we get really well fed too!
I am really looking forward to the summer. I’ve got a few new Life Walks in mind, including visiting another WWII bunker. I can’t say where, it’s a secret! I am sure our head cooks will conjure up a delicious, but simple menu to cook. But most of all, it is the opportunity to share our lives together, recognising that some people have a faith and others definitely don’t. Nobody is judged, and we all have something to learn from each other.
Let’s work together to fill the places on these activities. They are free but booking is required. Use the QR Code to book your places. You can also share it with others such as friends or family.
Richard
News
Easter Life Bites
During the Easter school holidays, a happy group of young people worked with adult volunteers to rattle some pots and pans and make what was clearly a delicious lunch!
