HCYT Newsletter – Summer 2025

Summer term update from school worker Adam Norton

Since Easter I’ve supported 12 students through our ongoing mentoring programme, continuing to use the “Big Green Heart” concept as a tool to talk about forgiveness, hope and love. 

During lunchtimes I’ve either been in the South Hunsley School canteens, outside in the school yard or indoors at a lunchtime club. I’ve had conversations with students about hopes, dreams, faith, TV shows, Tiktok – and the bible. These interactions have been an opportunity for students to discuss life’s BIG Questions. 

I have been working with a vulnerable year 10 student who finds everything very hard. He hates school and is always in trouble.  He thinks everyone is against him and has no hope. His home life is also difficult and doesn’t feel like he belongs. 

Over our sessions I’ve been able to listen, care and encourage him. He said on our final session “Sir, why do you care about me, like you really listen and stuff”.  I said, “I care because Jesus cares for me and I know that’s what Jesus would want me to do”.

I went on to share some personal testimony and the good news of Jesus. He was silent for a few moments.  He said “You think Jesus cares about me?” I answered “Absolutely”.

Other students’ reflections from either 1:1 sessions or lunchtime conversations, when asked what has been valuable about these sessions, include: 

“Thanks sir, I feel like I’ve changed, like my behaviour is a lot better, I’m no longer on report.”

“Having someone to talk to when something comes up at home is really helpful and playing UNO.”

Some comment after a lunchtime activity and me doing my best to explain the Trinity as simply as possible:

“I didn’t know Jesus was God and I didn’t “get” the Holy Spirit, but now I do.” 

“The bible is 66 different books ?  That’s mad – did God write it all?”

“Jesus needs a Tiktok account, then people would watch him do miracles.” 

During the term I’ve also have been involved two assemblies at Elloughton Primary School. In June I talked about sportsmanship and we thought about what it would be like if Jesus was on our sports team and how he would act in different situations. In July I retuned and handed out 60 ‘it’s your move’ booklets to the year 6 students.  We talked about hopes and fears about secondary school and went through some of the booklet together. I then prayed for them. 

Thank you for your continued prayerful and financial support for HCYT. There are great things happening at South Hunsley and I look forward to working with HCYT into the future.

Happy Summer 

Adam Norton

Schools Worker @ Label of Love

Please pray as partnership with Label of Love comes to an end

As we outlined in our Easter 2025 newsletter, our 6-year partnership with Label of Love has just come to an end. Label of Love are a Hull-based Christian youthwork charity who we have had a close partnership with since 2019, with their schools workers undertaking a range of activities at South Hunsley School each week on our behalf etc.  Over the summer term this has just been their schools worker Adam Norton.  However, after much deliberation, the Trustees of Label of Love wrote to us in December to say that, after 30 years of ministry in Hull and East Yorkshire, they had taken a decision to close Label of Love at the end of the current academic year (August 2025).

After discussions with Adam we agreed that he will continue his work with us, employed on a self-employed basis, in order to be able to continue our ministry in the Hunsley area.  

Please do pray for us !

There’s lots to thank the Lord for, and lots that we would ask you to join us to pray over:

• Thank the Lord for all the opportunities Adam has had this school year to share his faith – see his report above.
• The students who Adam has been able to mentor.
• The relaunch of “Simo’s Circle” in the autumn term.
• For teaching and support staff as they take a summer break and then start a new School Year in September.
• For all those involved with Label of Love as the charity closes down.
• For plans for an open youth club in Brough.
• For the Trustees at HCYT to know the Lord’s guiding for our work going forward.

For details of our termly prayer meetings see our “home” page.