James' Work…
James has had a wonderful year at work. I felt a lot less pressure than last year as I handed on the teenagers and didn’t have the stress of wedding, house and overseas family holidays! I continue in my role as team leader at Youth Alive Trust and honestly feel that I’m in my perfect job. It is my church’s community youth work organisation. My key roles are managing, inspiring and training staff and volunteers, fund raising, general admin, networking and practical youthwork in school, club night, holiday programmes and events. James & Amy started a new club together called WAVE for children Years 5 & 6 (aged 8-10) which has been a success. We have just produced a 27 page Annual Report which some of you could be interested in reading (it’s too big to email). If not, here is a brief of what we do:
Youth Alive Trust was established in 1989 to meet the need
s of children and young people in Brighton and surrounding suburbs. We aim to support the young person socially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually through our programmes and our dedicated staff and volunteers. This project has grown and adapted to meet changing community needs and currently we do this through 7 different areas;
1) Safer Streets Programmes. These are all our after school and evening programmes, ran by many volunteers and staff. Including Cheeky Monkeys (weekly club for Years 1 - 4), WAVE (weekly club for Years 5 & 6), Rock Solid (weekly club for Year 7 & 8), Unity East (weekly club for Years 9 - 13), and Sodium (larger events for teenagers on a fortnightly or monthly basis).
2) In-School Programmes. Supporting the students in their classrooms, on lunchtimes, and through extra curricula activities. Offering mentoring, one on one support, sports coaching, lunchtime activities and being positive role models. Our key schools in 2007 are Central New Brighton and Aranui High School.
3) Holiday Programmes. These fun filled programmes run 4 times a year for two different age categories, 5 – 8’s and 9 – 12’s, for one week in every school holidays. These are CYF’s approved and we are contracted to the MSD.
4) Camps. We also take teenagers on trips, camps and weekends away throughout the year, such as Phatcamp, Rock Solid Camp, Eastercamp and sleep-overs.
5) Library Support. We have a contract with Christchurch City Council to place youth leaders in New Brighton Library on weekends and in school holidays.
6) Community Events. We support Christchurch City Council events such as the Beach
Blasts, Skate Jam and other youth initiatives. We organise an annual Family Fun Night and also host dance groups and bands, such as Y-ONE.
7) Youth Leader training and Support. Attracting and training volunteers to work in their community. Placing them on different Safer Street Projects and organising training events throughout the year. We also host Praxis students, offering them experience, support and a structure for their practical work.
To see a 4 minute video of one of our community events held in Nov '07, click on this link to open the You Tube window:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_uet12fa_s
James & Amy Ridpath wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year. May it be filled with peace, joy and the love! May those in the Northern Hemisphere keep warm and those in the Southern Hemisphere keep cool! We’re heading away to Reefton in the New Year to the family batch for some relaxing time with our new toys, a few good books/newspapers and the Reefton Races! 
On 22nd December, we celebrate our first wedding anniversary! It’s gone so quick, yet it has been lovely and so natural. No more staying up til all hours just so we can be with each other – it’s lovely living in the same house (and we’ve adapted to each others habits pretty well!) The cooking and household jobs are shared pretty evenly – although James cuts the grass and Amy cleans the bathroom! We are heading away for a mystery weekend for our anniversary!
Amy has her best teaching year so far, really enjoying for forth year of teaching Years 3 & 4 (ages 6-8) at Belfast School. Throughout the year she has hosted 3 student teachers and also continued to lead the school choir. Wanting to advance her teaching skills, next year she will be a Year 7 & 8 teacher (ages 10 – 12) which although is scary, is also a challenge she is already relishing! 
James has had a wonderful year at work. I felt a lot less pressure than last year as I handed on the teenagers and didn’t have the stress of wedding, house and overseas family holidays! I continue in my role as team leader at Youth Alive Trust and honestly feel that I’m in my perfect job. It is my church’s community youth work organisation. My key roles are managing, inspiring and training staff and volunteers, fund raising, general admin, networking and practical youthwork in school, club night, holiday programmes and events. James & Amy started a new club together called WAVE for children Years 5 & 6 (aged 8-10) which has been a success. We have just produced a 27 page Annual Report which some of you could be interested in reading (it’s too big to email). If not, here is a brief of what we do:
s of children and young people in Brighton and surrounding suburbs. We aim to support the young person socially, emotionally, mentally and spiritually through our programmes and our dedicated staff and volunteers. This project has grown and adapted to meet changing community needs and currently we do this through 7 different areas;
3) Holiday Programmes. These fun filled programmes run 4 times a year for two different age categories, 5 – 8’s and 9 – 12’s, for one week in every school holidays. These are CYF’s approved and we are contracted to the MSD.
Blasts, Skate Jam and other youth initiatives. We organise an annual Family Fun Night and also host dance groups and bands, such as Y-ONE.
Saturday is sport day for half the year. In the morning Amy plays netball and James watches, in the afternoon James plays football (soccer) and Amy watches! Amy plays in Christchurch’s top Netball league for Haswell. This year she had trouble with both ankles and spent time on the sidelines (on and off crutches throughout the season). But the team stayed up and Amy looks forward to 2008! James played his 4th season for Nomads 1st Division team (not the top league!) and scored his most goals yet – 7 (I play central midfield – not striker)! 
It was cool to play with a great group of lads and although we got to the final of the cup – we have high hopes for 2008! Back in England, Hull City continue to improve and this season will be looking for a play-off position in the Championship! Jay-Jay Okocha felt God calling him to Hull – it’s great to know the Lord has it in safe hands! Lets not talk about the England team.
On 22nd June weighing 9lbs 5ozs we inherited a neice. James’ sister Mandy had a baby girl called Gracie. Sadly we’ve only seen photo’s and not spoken to her, but one day she’ll meet her aunty and uncle!
left, but Ian (brother) and Jen (brothers girl) stayed on for 6 months, working in the beautiful Christchurch and exploring the country. We joined them for a week travelling up the North Island. Here we are in Rotorua in front of the natural hot springs.
Well, I now know why they call it a BIG DAY: big church, big crowd, big nerves, big cake, and BIG COSTS! Despite all this – we loved every minute of it!
who gave us cards and gifts – we’re so humbled by your generosity (sorry to those who haven’t received a thank you card – some presents didn’t have cards/names attached). Praise God for technology, for we can re-live that day many times over with our video! (if you missed our big day – maybe you can see it too).
The new year always starts with a buzz and excitement of what's to come - 2007 is extremely exciting! A new wife, a new home, a new team, a honeymoon and new experiences! After spending Christmas week with the family, we headed for a small Island between Australia and New Zealand for Honeymoon Part 2! We were told the Island is for "nearly deads and newly weds" so we fitted in quite well. A time to relax, do a few tourist things (including a live performance of the Mutiny on the Bounty - all the cast are decendants of the mutiny!) and enjoy each others company. Nuf detail.
