Dear Parent or Guardian...
Hello and thank you for looking us up. Here is some very brief information, with more detailed information about X:site and Scripture Union further down this page.
What X:site is.
X:site is the place of the cross!We hold our event once every two months at St Pauls' Church Centre in Covingham for the benefit of the whole of Swindon and the surrounding area in partnership with local churches, supported by Scripture Union and staffed by volunteers from a diverse range of Christian Churches.
X:Site Swindon is open to any children in school years 3-6 (aged 7-11) and just because it is held in a church building doesn't mean your child has to go to church to come along and join in all the activities.
What we do.
We join together to meet others and make friends from around the area and learn more about Jesus, to worship him in our activities, with the band and with videos, to learn through making things (creative learning) and to have lots of fun with games; even some messy games!
Who the leaders are.
Your children are in good hands at X:site with Lianne Smith in overall charge. Lianne is a mum and works full time for Scripture Union with many years experience working with childrens' groups and volunteer workers to Child Protection requirements. We more than meet the requirements for Child Protection with a high ratio of adults to children, first aid trained volunteers always on hand and all our staff are strictly CRB checked and have received training from Scripture Union in Child Protection issues. Most of our team are drawn from a background of leadership experience and / or working with childrens' groups also. You can learn more about the team HERE.
How X:site all began.
X:site began in Leeds in 2004 to draw children together from across the city to help them feel part of the broader Christian community in the area and to support local churches in their ministry with children. Children have been keen to invite their friends and local churches are encouraged to build on these links into their local communities. The X:site logo reminds us that when children are drawn together at the foot of the cross, their impact will spread out across a whole area. So far X:site has impacted 100s of children and volunteers from across communities and church denominations. There are now new X:sites popping up all over the UK and starting to overseas!The X:site core aims are:
To challenge the children to live out their faith at home, at school and with their friends.
To provide an opportunity for children who attend church groups to invite their friends to an event to learn about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus.
To teach Gods' word faithfully and in a manner that is relevant to children.
To encourage and support those children who attend church groups by giving them a different opportunity in which they can learn from, respond to and experience God in a different context.
Who Scripture Union are:
Scripture Union is a missionary movement working in over 130 countries to make Jesus known and to help people to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer. For more information about Scripture Union go to: www.scriptureunion.org.uk
What is X:site?
X:site is an event for children aged 7-11 (school years 3-6). It is run by churches across the town in partnership with Scripture Union, a Christian charity working with children and young people across England and Wales. Our volunteer team includes experienced children's leaders as well as newcomers.
What do we do at X:site?
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Messy games |
Songs |
Learning about Jesus |
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Exploring the Bible |
Making new friends |
Prayer tent |
How is X:site organised?
Your child has been allocated to a group of children of similar age with a leader. They will do activities and games within this group and will be dropped off and collected from the group. If you have any queries, your child's group leader will be able to help you in the first instance.
Special needs accommodated at X:site
At X:site we know that all children are special but recognise that some children require additional support. Please ask to speak to our special needs coordinator in confidence to discuss your child's specific needs if they require specific support.
Health issues at X:site
If your child has any particular health issues, please contact our Welcome Point. Please give the group leader any medication your child requires during the session, including inhalers. We cannot allow children to administer their own medication without your written permission.
The children will be given a drink and snack so please ensure you have recorded any allergies on the registration form.
Dropping off and collecting your child at X:site
In order to ensure the safety of your child, we need to work to a particular system. Would you help us as much as possible in the following ways:
Dropping off
- Please take your child to their appropriate group (this is identified by the badge they will have been given on registration).
- Please take a collection ticket for your child from your child's group leader.
Collection
- No child will be allowed to leave the venue without their appropriate adult.
- Your child's group leader will give you a ticket. Please keep this in a safe place. At the X:site the relevant ticket must be presented to the group leader before your child can be collected. This ensures that only you or an adult authorised by you can collect your child. If someone else is collecting the child, please pass on the ticket to them. If this is not possible, please write the name of the person collecting the child on the ticket and hand the ticket back to the group leader BEFORE YOU LEAVE (please note that this will be asked to prove their ID on collection). Should you lose your ticket, please speak to our welcome point.
- Please collect your child promptly at the end of the event as children do worry if their parents don't arrive quickly.
Staying with your child / group during X:site
You will be very welcome to stay for the duration of X:site and observe all the activities your children are involved in. As part of our Child Protection Policy, we ask you to sign in as a visitor and display your visitor sticker at all times. We would also as you to remain in our parents and visitors area throughout the event. If you would like to be more involved in X:site and join our team, please speak to one of the core team.
What to bring to X:site
- Shoes that you can run in
- Lots of friends!
X Do not bring nut based products into the building.
Donations to X:site
Although there is an entrance fee for X:site, this does not cover the cost of the event. If you would like to make a donation for the ongoing work of X:site, please collect a gift envelope from the welcome point. Cheques can be made payable to 'Scripture Union'.
Next X:site event
We will be sending you out details of the next event nearer the time. However, if you wish to find out further details and download a registration form, follow the links on this website.
Using the X:site website
The website is intended for use by both adults and children alike with information about the volunteer leaders, what we do, and how we do it so that adults can be confident X:site is right for their children. The children will enjoy the Photos section which shows past events and the Fun Stuff section allows them to send in jokes, drawings, prayers, whatever. Please encourage them to use it to contribute to the fun of X:site and to keep in touch with future events.
Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of X:site, please speak with one of the core team or the overall leader. Beyond that, you may wish to speak with Scripture Union. Our information board contains details of our complaints procedures.
Contacting a leader at X:site
To contact a member of the X:site core team please email Swindon@xsiteuk.org or phone 01793 764907.
If you would like to know more about Scripture Union's work nationally contact liannes@scriptureunion.org.uk or online at www.scriptureunion.org.uk or by post at Scripture Union, 207-209 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2EB, telephone 01908 856000.