A last minute message indicated that one of our team members for tonight was unable to be here thus leaving us being a four person crew for this shift. In addition, one of our team members has had to step back for some weeks due to a foot injury. A new volunteer, Chris, stepped up, pushing his debut shift forward a bit but allowing us to have enough of a team to go out and do our thing on the Lichfield streets.
We set out, set up, and quickly realised that this was starting out to be a busy night. Which turned out to be exactly that. Our first 'customers' were two gentlemen who were genuinely interested in the work we were doing but were having real problems understanding why we don't have a receptacle for donations on our table so that people can just contribute. We endeavoured to explain that we don't want anyone to feel they have to donate for their tea/coffee/biscuits - this is a free offering to everyone. If someone is insistent on giving us a gift/donation, we will not offend them by refusing it - it's just that there is no expectation for them to do so and we don't want to encourage any feelings of guilt....we consider it a blessing from us because we believe we have been blessed! The conversation with these two guys ended when one of our team, who had been overhearing our conversation, walked up to the table and put a coffee cup down on the table, into which one guy instantly put in a rather generous donation - shortly after which they said their goodbyes and went to get their taxi.
The busyness of the evening seemed to come in waves of groups of people as a couple of our team set off for a brief patrol around the square. They came back shortly with two ladies in tow, one of them clearly the worse for wear. It transpired that the one not in great shape had been encouraged to have a night out from caring for a partner with Parkinsons. Unfortunately she was used to going out drinking and it had taken its toll on her and her friend now seemed a bit annoyed as she had taken the responsibility for her and was having to get her back home. She was concerned that she could get them both home to Streethay in a taxi but wasn't sure she could support her friend up two flights of stairs. Our new team member and another of the team offered to take them home in a car and assist in getting the lady up the stairs and into her flat safely. The offer was gratefully accepted and the team members were back with their team quite soon after - cargo safely delivered!!
Whilst we had a visit from Paul Maddox from the Lichfield BID, a young man approached our table, initially to express his opinion of the work we were doing, but then seemed to voice his views around politics, religion and conspiracy theories - all mixed together and peppered liberally with offensive words. We were all left a bit bemused and taken aback as he eventually moved on.
We had Jason, a Minister at Beacon Community Church in Burntwood, come over to find out a little bit more about us. At the same time three young people approached us and were so grateful for a free cuppa and biscuits. As one of the youngsters asked about our faith, a conversation started and one of them began quietly sharing with one of the team how they were struggling with their faith upbringing and their own gender identity - this is where our listening skills and not our personal opinions fall into play, as we are not there to make judgment - just to listen. We felt sad for this young person but told them we would pray for clarity for their current dilemma.
Two guys came up for refreshments and, in conversation, we established that they were farmers out for a friend's celebration and had to be working on their farms in a couple of hours time!! The night ended with a lady coming over to the table in order to avoid a male expressing rather bluntly about his atheistic views. It turned out it was quite offensive to the lady as she was a Christian who attends St Michael's church in Lichfield. We had a lovely conversation about positive and encouraging things she was involved in and she even ended up praying for us and the work we do...
A busy night indeed, and, as usual, ending with a box of delicious hot chips!!