The Cabin
It’s finally happened!
After what seems an age of consulting, praying, planning, fundraising, applying, digging, more consulting and more praying, we’re over the moon to have launched The Cabin on Sunday 26th January.
A collaboration between Thrive Leeds and InterACT Church and Community Partnership, themselves a partnership of churches in Chapel Allerton and Meanwood, the Cabin is part of the youth development work that’s been growing in our little part of the city.
Young people are being supported to volunteer, to lead, and to give their voice to projects in our area. It’s small beginnings, but so far hundreds of hours have been given by young people to lead youth groups, run community events, help out at Messy Church, and work at the Food Pantry. We especially love bringing the young volunteers together through regular celebration events, where they receive rewards for their time and commitment, and we have the privilege of giving each one personal words of encouragement.
The Cabin will be a space for young people to meet, socialise and outwork some of their giving. We hope it will also be a community space, managed with support by young people, who have a say in everything from furnishings to what goes in the community noticeboard outside. We’re already seeing the impact of new connections and opportunities for the young people who’ve been involved, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.
We’re grateful to Stainbeck church and the wider United Reformed Church network gifting us the space to place the building, and for all the support we’ve received, from churches, businesses, community members and funders alike. Please pray for us, and most especially for young people in our local area, as seeds begin to grow.
A group of young people have been working to help set the foundations of the project. They have started an after-school drop-in, having already led and supported community activities over the last year. Reflecting on what it was like running events for the community, some of the young people said:
As the work out of The Cabin develops, the project will continue with the after-school Drop-In, located in the main building at Stainbeck Church on Thursdays, for pupils in Years 7 and 8. There are snacks, games, crafts and challenges, led by young people for their peers in the community.
