Every day’s a gift

At the opening rounds of a meeting today, each one of us is asked what our energy levels are. It’s Friday at 4pm. It’s a good question.

Some are tired. Others exhausted. Some are “still standing.” Faisal, in typical form, says he is wonderfully “Hunky Dory.” Waz, in his cheeky, upward way of thinking, says “Every day’s a gift.” I follow him. Can’t match his optimism. I’d probably have fallen asleep in the armchair by now. But suddenly I’m energised by those I share the table with.

It’s a meeting of the core team responsible for the investment of the Youth Endowment Fund in Butetown and Grangetown. We’re there, with our feet under the table, alongside Tiger Bay Football Club, Foundation for Sport, Tiger Bay Football Club, Hayaat Women’s Trust, St Mary’s School, Ffair Jobs Cymru, Tiger Bay Security, and ourselves, all part of Citizens Cymru.

We catch up on the diversionary activities which try to guide young people away from harm and crime, activities to help them flourish.

The guys from the sporting associations are humble about the impact they’re having. But it’s significant. They deserve our praise and admiration, unsung heroes in the midst of so many challenges. They don’t seem to waver. There is real concern for those with whom they work.

Carina from Citizens UK spells it out. “You’re working with 599 young people,” she says. She is joining us online, and has obviously done her work on the figures.

The lads from Tiger Bay Security update us on a recent contract with the BBC, over twenty local young people employed. And Faisal shares the plans for a Mental Health Navigator. We talk too about Employment opportunities for young people, and literacy and additional learning needs, an employed Champion hopefully on their way soon.

There are plans for the Summer too. They’re all coordinating themselves, planning daily activities for young people, working together to offer a programme to make a difference, as everyone shares what’s happening across July and August. Ali notes them down.

As I walk home, alongside Nicki, the headteacher of St Mary’s School, and Fr Edward, a deal is done in plain sight on the street. Four people who present as homeless, hand over money and receive drugs. They don’t try to hide it. There is no need. This is normal now.

The dealer rides off on his bike.

He is no more than 18 or 19 yrs old.

He does not look at us.

It’s like we’re not there.

I wonder what his story is. Who he is. Why and how he’s been drawn into the drugs trade.

The buyers walk slowly behind us, their story equally hidden from us.

When I get home, I could still fall asleep on the sofa although I’m more energised now, will stay awake until proper bedtime calls.

Instead, I water the plants outside the church and wander onto Bute Street. Three Buddhist monks are taking photographs of one another at the large crucifix facing out onto Bute Street. The brightness of their orange robes reflect their smiles.

I say hello, shake hands, welcome them, ask them where they’re from. Thailand, they say. They’re staying here, just for one night. I leave them to their snaps. Wish them well.

Earlier today, at St Saviour’s, we celebrated the funeral of an old faithful, 97 year old John Ryan, a great storyteller who often regaled us with tales from his long life.

He’d joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 15yrs old in the midst of the Second Word War and, at one point, had gone missing for six months when his ship had been torpedoed.

As life slowed down for him, he’d retained a cheerfulness and hopefulness. Whilst physically challenged, his energy levels for life remained. He pushed himself as far as he could go. And he always made us laugh with his tales.

Today has been a day of being inspired by young and old alike, finding energy from somewhere and from someone. And, yes, Waz was right. Every day’s a gift.