Mark’s story

Started life living on a farm but family have to give it up so has to move to a larger primary school, gets involved with the school gang life and discovers rock ‘n’ roll that ‘fills a bit of a hole’, then got into punk and the mods. Music that was about inclusion in a group.

After school finds a job gardening but in seeking more people ends up at a car manufacturer. Tough job, tough people, tough conditions and bullying.

Meets wife on a blind date.

Discovers stronger faith in 1997 ‘when it hit me!’ during a course. 

Dived deep into spiritual things appearing alongside others on stage show but then crashed, struggling with self worth, suffers breakdown and leaves job.

Difficult period of rebuilding.

Doesn’t understand why someone close isn’t healed.

Doesn’t feel like he fits into ‘church’ and desires more of a stripped back church approach. 

Discovers running and sharing faith with others. 

Just trying to relate to other people without any jargon.

With a punk attitude that helps him stand his ground, he’s not trying fix people but relate, and be the cog in the wheel of support. 

Listening, empathising, smiling.

Insight

We all make mistakes but are bound together like a beautiful necklace.

Creative response

Punk song ‘ (we fight, we fight) Twisting’ (rough demo)

Listen to the rough demo of ‘(We fight, we fight) Twisting’ 

Find out more about Acts

The gift

I’ve chatted to lots of people. We’ve reflected, paused, laughed and learnt. 

Some people have given to others in their life, and I suspect will continue to do so. While I was chatting to someone recently I was painting a stone. It had coloured concentric circles that seemed to represent the varied layers of life.

I wanted to give the stone to them but they suggested I give it to my wife. Typical of them to think of others.

Ended up wondering what I could give to them that they couldn’t give back to me. I’d given them some time and listened, but then they’d given me some time and listened to me.

You just can’t win with some people.

Some people are just a gift.

Insight

The simple act of meeting and talking with someone can reveal so much for everyone concerned.

Creative response

Image and painted stone. People can be such a gift.

Find out more about Acts

R’s story

R’s story has an international feel with her grandfather being a champion jockey in India for 11 years!  Difficult childhood trying to please a challenging father and a mother who struggled.

At school, although lacking in confidence, showed athletic abilities and spent weekends running after encouragement from a teacher.

Eventually became a foster parent as well as caring for family members.

Now in a better place, strengthened by her faith, seeking good things for others, offering support.

A fighter, a survivor, a provider.

Insight

‘I’m a survivor, a fighter’

Creative response

The sword creates the new soil area, for new growth and direction to develop

New Meadows (spoken word)

Reading by We Are Humanz

Find out more about Acts

B’s story

B is a Wirral girl from a big family who made her way to becoming a seamstress at 16, making clothes for the wives of famous 70’s footballers.
Accidentally ended up working in psychiatrics not paediatrics, having misread the application form but ends up enjoying the job!

Now finds herself with more time to ‘faff around’ and have a play with stuff. So who knows what might be created and brought into the world. Someone with tales to tell and skills to bring.

A creative maker whirlwind with a heart for people.

Insite

You never know what you might end up accidentally doing!

Creative response

Tabard illustration including images from her life. Maybe it will get made one day?!

Find out more about Acts