What is Fusion Youth & Community
& St George's Day Celebrations
Fusion Youth & Community arrange the Fun Days in Leyshon Road recreation ground and also the Advent Pageant, details of which are outlined below. I asked Gordon Ewbank, our local co-ordinator to give us an insight into what Fusion & Youth and Community is all about.
Its been nearly 45 years since Fusion Youth & Community was formed in the suburbs of West Sydney, as a response to the needs of socially at risk young people. From those early roots, it is now an international movement, operating to varying degrees in 12 different countries around the world. Fusion Youth & Community UK was established nearly 5 years ago and is a registered charity (No. 1112078).
To date, our work is based mainly in Oxfordshire, Lancashire & South London. However, we have supportive links to a number of groups from the West Country to North Yorkshire. Internationally, nationally and locally, Fusion are committed to working to establish lasting connections and networks (social capital) that will help the process of transforming local communities into safer, more harmonious and inclusive places, a broad vision that is expressed in many different ways, depending on the needs and available resources of a particular community.
Fusion is an ecumenical Christian organisation which seeks to work together with all people of like mind, to help see these goals realised. Fusion's role has been described as a catalyst to draw people together to make a difference - to provide training, support and hopefully a little inspiration as they seek culturally relevant ways to reach out to and engage with their local communities. We bring some innovative models and much experience of how this might be done, but these are open to adaptation to meet local needs. Whilst our focus is on children, young people and families, some of our programmes will touch people of all ages.
St.George's Family Funday 2010
With the weather forecast for wall to wall sunshine completely accurate for once, this year’s Wheatley St.George’s festival was always likely to be bigger and better than ever – and it was! We estimate that over 800 people came through the recreation ground gates on the warmest day of the year to date, to enjoy celebrating our community life together. From the feedback we’ve received, it was obviously a memorable occasion – particularly for those many folk who stayed all afternoon!
The range of activities was also bigger and better than before, including a climbing wall to challenge all ages and majestic birds of prey to admire. Once more, the Wheatley Community Choir was a highlight, as was the retelling of the story of St.George & the Dragon. As Rev James Watson, who played the king in our drama, reminded us, the story is all about rediscovering some of the heroes and values of our nation – courage, faith, hope and sacrifice. All in all, it was a great time of fun and celebration and a real opportunity to help strengthen our sense of community here in Wheatley.
The whole event was a gift to our community from local Christians and others of like mind, so the entire Funday was free - from face painting to sumo wrestling to the popular BBQ. The day was organised by Fusion Youth & Community with generous support from local businesses, churches and the Parish Council.
Fusion YAC festivals don't just attempt to entertain the crowd, but to encourage them to knit together. Our aim is to create an event where old friendships are renewed and strengthened and new friendships made, where young people are welcomed into the heart of our community and helped to find their own unique contribution. And that’s what seemed to be happening that Saturday, with plenty of smiles to be seen. We even had comments from visitors that it was the best day of the year in Wheatley!
Over the past year over 100 local volunteers have worked with Fusion in Wheatley to create and run community initiatives. We know that it’s the investment of time and commitment from local people, not just funding and grants, that will knit our community together. As we reach out and care for each other we find we are better able to handle the crises and difficulties which life throws at us. If you’d like to join the team who organise this event – and other community festivals and celebrations – please do get in touch.
