VES Team Update – End of Half Term | Spotlight on TEAM
Dear wonderful VES team,
As we reach the end of half term, I want to say a huge thank you to every one of you! Please note clearly - there are no VES classes next week (16–20 February). Have a good rest, enjoy the break, and we look forward to seeing you the following week!
A small but significant win this week: yesterday’s after class visit from Lloyds Bank Community Inclusion team meant that 8 of our students opened UK bank accounts - a genuinely life-changing step for some. Many others also received help and advice around UK banking. It was a good snapshot of the 'partnership' aspect to VES that I highlighted in last week's email - in this case, Corporate (Lloyds) + Third-Sector (Bluetouch) + VES = better outcomes for our students than we could produce on our own.
Spotlight this week: TEAM
This week I’ve been especially aware of the depth and maturity within our (now 50 strong) VES team. Many of you are serving while carrying significant weight - for some, turmoil in home countries; for others ongoing health challenges; and for all - the pressures of life "in this age". Our Pastor Tom at Croydon Vineyard Church said last Sunday: “maturity is the ability to suffer well.” I see that lived out across the VES team again and again - faithfulness, kindness, and perseverance. It is deeply inspiring to see so many give themselves to blessing others, even in the midst of profound personal challenges.
A particular shout-out to Liz Mott, who is recovering from an operation - please do keep Liz in your prayers. Liz has served at VES for over a decade, embodies the best of who we are as a ministry - and the VES room is just not quite the same without her laugh! We look forward to having you back soon Liz!
It’s also been a huge privilege to welcome new members to the team this half term: Daniela, Fatiha, Angela, Phil, Dhanish, Sherry, and Idania - it is so wonderful to have you serving alongside us.
Training opportunity — please sign up
On Monday 2nd March, Orchards (a London-based Christian charity) will be delivering a lunchtime training session on Understanding Sexual Exploitation. This builds on our January safeguarding training and is an important next step for us as a community. A light lunch will be provided. Click here for more details and to book on: https://croydonvineyard.churchsuite.com/events/w1fh5mt9
VES Dashboard — Week at a Glance• 21 classes delivered across 4 days (plus 3 creche sessions and 1 youth drop-in)
• 271 student sessions enabled (our highest ever!)
• 69 volunteer sessions given
• Weekly participation number: 382 (our highest ever!)• +83% increase on the same week last year
Dates reminder• February half term: 16–20 February (no classes)• Last session of term: Thursday 26 March (Easter Party)
Thank you again for all you carry and all you give. Have a blessed and restful half term!
Much love,
Andy Brims - www.vineyardenglishschool.org.uk
PS - no team update email next week - it will be a wider “VES Partners and Supporters Update” - please keep your eye out for it, and forward it to any who you think would benefit from it.