AFIA

In January and February of 2023 YouGov conducted a survey on the basis of what should living standards be like for people on benefits, minimum wage and average income. The way the question was phrased was ambiguous. A second survey by YouGov, commissioned by Carnegie UK asked clearer questions. The Resolution Foundation’s Living Standard report in 2023 largely corroborated Carnegie’s findings.

Carnegie’s survey indicated that in 2023 two thirds of parents had trouble taking part in leisure activities with their children. This included taking the children away on holiday.

Before the pandemic and in the cost of living crisis about a third of families had no annual holiday. They could not afford one. This is where the Mothers’ Union (MU) can sometimes help, at least a few families.

The Away From It All, or AFIA scheme aims to give families without much hope of a holiday or day out help by taking them somewhere for a break. AFIA is a Mothers’ Union holiday scheme, primarily funded by MU members, to give the opportunity of a break to those who may be experiencing stress, money troubles or difficulties in their family life.”

Here in Bristol, the MU’s AFIA project has taken local families on visits to the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare. In 2023 we were able to supply 5 coaches and give families comprising 126 parents/carers and more than 170 children a day at the seaside. This year, 2024, we are planning to provide 6 coaches for a similar number of families.

MU doesn’t make a charge for the trips but, does require a £5.00 deposit. Deposit! But you don’t charge you say. Well we don’t. The deposit is returned on the coaches, on the way to Weston’Super-Mare. It is simply a way of helping reduce the drop-out-rate by incentivising people to show up to get their deposit returned.

Would you or someone you know benefit from a day out? You can apply or nominate someone by following this link to the MU website. Scroll down the page until you see “How To Apply”, or ask a local MU member to put you in touch with the AFIA scheme coordinator for your area.

A Poem for RISE UP

Respond don't ignore abuse, you can't let it pass,

Inform someone who can help help them at last,

Support those who suffer often in silence,

Empower them to leave and find a safe house,

Unite those who've suffered with aid to be safe,

Pray for them always for help and God's Grace.

Not A Mother 3

More Musings of a Man in the Mothers Union.

I've now been a member of the Mothers' Union (MU) for 8 years. Its probably the second time in my life that I have been blessed when perceptive ladies may have seen something in me that I didn't realise myself. They offered opportunities that would not have occurred to me without their prompting, or invitation.

Throughout my lifetime I've been a member of various organisations. The first that I remember was the Cubs. This was before Beavers, for even younger children, was on the scene. From Cubs I progressed to the Scouts (I was a little disappointed that the bush hats had been been replaced with berets in the uniform).

At the same time, I had also joined the Boys Brigade. The group met in the local baptist church. Their uniform was really was really the addition of belt, sam-brown belt and pillbox hat, to our regular school clothes. I remember having to blanko the white parts and polish buttons.

About a year after I had moved up to Scouts, Dad's job moved and so our family moved house. I joined the new to me local scout troop, but didn't find the same satisfaction there. There wasn't a Boys Brigade unit nearby. Instead, I joined the Air Training Corps. I eventually reached the rank of Sergeant before leaving the ATC to also leave home and start my apprenticeship, the beginning of my engineering career.

In between everything above and now, I was a member of the local Amateur Radio Club (I hold a class 'A' licence) and later, a model aircraft flying club (years before the modern digital drones and took some skill to fly). In this I also hold a class 'A' licence. These last two organisations did not, of course, include an element of service. They were entirely for my enjoyment.

In all this time once my days of Sunday School were over, which Dad had insisted my brother and I attended, I didn't go to church except by invitations for special occasions. In 2006, my Christian Faith was reawakened. That journey can be found here. I suppose that re-awakening was also the beginning of my journey to and then with the Mothers' Union.

I joined the MU in 2015, at the invitation of an inspiring lady, who at the time was the leader of the local branch branch. That lady is now the MU president of the diocese. At the time of writing, I am a member of not just the MU but also the branch committee and also, occasionally report to the diocesan committee/trustees.

Now you might be wondering what much of the foregoing has to do with the MU. They are all organisations to which I have belonged at one time or another. So, what's so special about the MU? Of all the organisations to which I have belonged at some time, the MU is the only one to which I don't just belong but also feel a sense of belonging. It has given me a greater sense of satisfaction than any of the other organisations I've been a part of. The effort I put in is rewarded many times over with the friendships and friends I have made. MU members don't just care about their work as a charity, with its reach around the world. They care for, not just about, each other.

Related posts:

Not A Mother

Still Not A Mother

Another Mary

No More 1 in 3

A Modern Day Curse

The Church’s Secret Weapon