CICS win Inspire Award Youth/Children's Initiative

CICS features on Page 9 of January's Inspire magazine - we were the winners of the Children and Youth Initiatives Inspire Awards - see here 

​Article below (source)

IF the stories told at the 2016 Inspire Awards event at the Palace of Westminster last month are in any way representative of grassroots local church activity, there is real hope for the future, writes Editor RUSS BRAVO.

Time and again ordinary believers were recognised for their passion, commitment, compassion and faith in recognising needs in their community and, with God’s help, doing something about it. Many had seen dramatic change in their own lives.

As well as the shortlisted entrants and their guests, it was a joy to welcome INSPIRE partners, supporters, advertisers and friends to the event, held in the Jubilee Room, Palace of Westminster. James Lee from Christians in Parliament opened the event, and Gavin Shuker MP closed it, with each warmly commending the awards, the work of INSPIRE in telling inspirational stories of God at work, and the entrants’ contribution to their communities.

YOUTH/CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE (presented by HOPE director of communications Catherine Butcher)

Winner: CICS (Christian Initiative in Calderdale Schools), West Yorkshire
Runner-up: Life and Soul, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

A team of part-time staff plus more than 40 volunteers, supported by some 75 churches, sees CICS getting involved in almost 80 primary and secondary schools across Calderdale, West Yorkshire, through prayer, taking lessons, mentoring, running lunch clubs and much more.

​“To those who teach we are often a listening ear – an outside, trusted person who will listen and understand. To pupils we are joining with what God is already doing amongst thousands of young people. We are there to present the reality of who Jesus is as well as to support, listen and care.” says chair of trustees Paul Blakey.