Transform Work in Northern Ireland 

It’s great to see that Transform Work is spreading its wings beyond the shores of England, Scotland and Wales, across the sea to Northern Ireland. Three members of Transform Work recently met up to share news of their networks and to encourage one another in their ministry. These were Allan from the Christian Police Association, Robert from FFC (Firefighters for Christ) and Irene, TW’s Ambassador for Hospitals. Allan gives us a glimpse into their meeting.

‘Well, Irene and myself managed to find each other reasonably easily given that it was some sort of ‘blind date’ – although Robert initially ended up in another cafe nearby and we had to ‘talk him in’ to where we were!

We met on 14th August in Portrush, a delightful holiday town situated on the north coast of Northern Ireland not far from the Giants Causeway. Given that I was also there as part of the CPANI (Christian Police Association Northern Ireland) annual Portrush Bible Week. This was a great opportunity for the three of us to meet up over coffee and share our thoughts and plans for the future in terms of developing more collaborative working. Indeed Irene and I agreed to try to link up some nurses working at a hospital in Bristol, with our local CPA branch there for support and encouragement.

Building on an established relationship Firefighters for Christ has with the CPA branch in Northern Ireland (having worked closely especially for the World Police Fire Games held in Northern Ireland 2013), our time together allowed the three of us to gain a better understanding of how we can support each other through the workings of Transform Work. It was good to take this opportunity to meet up and share our experiences, particularly as Robert and Irene are not easily able to get across to England to meet with others involved in workplace ministry. I know we all left very encouraged by our time together.’