The Bishop of London’s Mission Fund has highlighted stories of young people who have benefitted from projects funded by the fund. People like Dandave Roache have had their lives transformed with the help of a grant. Dandave told his story to us.
Dandave is 21 and has attended Intermission Youth Theatre (ITY) at St Saviour’s Church, Knightsbridge, for five years. When he first joined at 16 he had no faith and was an active gang member.
Dandave had been in foster care since he was 13. At 16, he was stabbed on three separate occasions and, after being arrested, he spent time in a young offender’s institution.
It was while he was on a weapon awareness programme that he met Darren Raymond, from Intermission Youth Theatre, who invited him to join the groundbreaking youth project.
The theatre company seeks to build confidence, raise self-belief, foster teamwork and develop an awareness of Christian spirituality through how members live and interact.
Darren Raymond and the Vicar of St Saviour’s, the Revd Rob Gillion, moved Dandave into the vicarage to get him away from his violent surroundings. In this environment, Dandave saw that a new life was possible.
Dandave comments:
“At St Saviour’s they didn’t force religion on to me, we just talked like we would in everyday situations. Rob and his wife lived everything it says in the Bible, about peace,love, forgiving and family. God was always there in everything.
“The theatre company was a gateway to a world I never knew, it was like a second chance and a new life to me – I have been re-birthed. It has given me something else to live for, other than violent nights and rowdy friends. I now believe in God, not a weapon in my hands.”
In the future, Dandave hopes to work as an actor and to be a youth worker helping others to turn away from gang violence. He’s in regular contact with gang members in prison, encouraging them to develop scripts and write, instead of living lives of gang violence.
“A mate of mine did a poem about caterpillars that no one likes, but forms a cocoon. When they turn into a butterfly everyone wants to be near them. I know that, as a caterpillar, I lacked a lot of things including love. Basically, I am in my cocoon now with Intermission Youth Theatre, and God is forming me into a butterfly that will help others and give out love.”
Commenting about the Bishop of London’s Mission Fund, Dandave said:
“St Saviour’s church was going to be closed and the Vicar got this BLMF funding to keep it open and run Intermission. We use our faith and now do things for other churches.
“Some people see the church as boring, yet it is great what we are doing with the funding because it is allowing people like myself engage with the arts and gain a faith.”
The diocesan communications team provides support to the network of clergy, churches, parishes and other worshipping communities that comprises the Diocese of London, as well as to the staff teams of the London Diocesan Fund.
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