Every year at Matrix we run an annual social action weekend called Ready 4 Action. This years project wrapped up a few weeks ago.
R4A exists to provide practical assistance to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to help themselves. With 140 volunteers serving with us this year, we completed 35 jobs, and removed nearly 30 tons of waste from the community.
This year we were able to help alleviate many of our clients anxiety. We assisted one young lady in clearing rubbish and overgrown greenery from her property. She said afterwards that she felt able to take pride in her home again.
One family said they finally felt able to sit outside in their garden and enjoy the sunshine. Another client was blessed by the removal of nearly half a ton of brambles from their garden, which had become too much to manage.
“The work they have done is amazing, we have so much more light in the garden now and the kids will enjoy playing in it.” – Shirley, Park Barn.
Our volunteers, nearly half of whom were young people, thoroughly enjoyed the weekend too. One third of our volunteers took part for the first time and 75% of them said they now feel more connected to their community.
“It was such a privilege to be able to help and make a difference to the lives of those we helped.” Ralph, R4A Volunteer
It was a challenging, but rewarding weekend. As we turn our focus towards the summer, I’d like to leave you with a thought, that I hope will encourage you to put the 4th & 5th of May 2019 in your diary for #R4A19.
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Working within the Christian ethos, we follow the life that Jesus modelled. A life of going to the poor and brokenhearted, to help those who are less able to help themselves. We do R4A, because we want to go the extra mile. We want to show our neighbours they are loved, it’s not about trying to make ourselves look good. It’s simply about lifting others up, it’s what Jesus did.