Meet Lauren

 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be posting short blog pieces, such as this, that give an insight into members of the Number 11 team, sharing a little about who they are and why they are so passionate about Number 11. Be sure to check back weekly to see which member of the team will be up next!

What ice cream flavour sums you up and why?

I want to say something really fancy and exotic but if I’m honest I’m the sort of person who orders the same ice cream every time, so I would have to say Strawberry. It’s consistent, dependable and goes well with chocolate.

 

What do you do outside of Number 11?

I am a Science Teacher so a lot of my time is taken up doing teacher-y stuff like marking and lesson planning. The rest of my time is usually spent dancing (I’m due to take part in my first ballet recital in a decade in the summer), baking or completing the coursework for my Local Preachers training course.

 

What’s your role within Number 11?

I’m not often seen at Number 11 during the week due to work, but behind the scenes I work on logistics, creating spreadsheets and writing policies, as well as helping to design and create the training hand-outs for all of our volunteer training sessions.

 

Why are you involved with Number 11?

I have seen first hand how people can be let down by a system that views them as statistics and believe that the only way that this will change is if we start to see people, all people, as individuals worthy of love and support. The Bible tells us to be God’s hands and feet in loving the poor, hurting and marginalised …and that is what Number 11 seeks to do; to stand in the gap and love people. I believe that this is the way we will be able to change lives sustainably and hopefully change the systems that are so broken in the first place.

 

What is your hope for the future of Number 11?

Ultimately that centres like ours won’t be needed anymore, but until that time I would love for Number 11 to be widely known as place of welcome, family and hope across the city and to see individuals whose lives have been changed with support from Number 11 going on to help and support others.