Network Norwich and Norfolk > Regional News > Norfolk charity to benefit from Bishop's Lent appeal

The Bishop’s Lent Appeal to raise money for YANA, supporting people involved in agriculture and other rural businesses affected by stress and depression.

For Lent 2025, the Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher has launched his annual appeal, this year raising money for Norfolk based charity YANA to help fund its telephone helpline.

YANA is a rural mental health and suicide prevention charity in East Anglia, providing support for those involved in agriculture and other rural businesses affected by stress and depression. YANA’s mission is to improve mental health in agriculture and rural businesses.

The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham Usher says: “YANA is doing vital work by being alongside people working in farming and rural businesses and offering help and hope to those struggling with stress or depression. Those living and working in rural areas are often facing increasing challenges and I have been very impressed by all YANA does to care for people.”

YANA became a charity in its own right in 2020 providing a helpline and mental health counselling. In March 2024 the live helpline was launched, providing someone available to talk to live between 10am to 1pm from Monday to Friday. All of the helpline staff are volunteers, carefully selected and trained so that they are then able to talk to people working within the agricultural sector. Where appropriate, the call can lead to 9 fully funded counselling sessions provided by YANA.

Ginnie Edgecombe is a trustee at YANA. Ginnie says that churches can provide a helpful support. “Our churches are places where people sometimes go to when they’re seeking solace when times are tough, so the church buildings in rural areas really have something to offer this charity, whether that’s through supporting the Bishop’s Lent Appeal, or raising awareness by displaying YANA posters and leaflets.”

The helpline number 0300 323 0400 is available for confidential support every Monday to Friday between 10am to 1pm. Outside of these hours, people can leave a message and receive a callback or email helpline@yanahelp.org.

All money raised will go towards funding YANA’s helpline, offering confidential support to those in need.

Donate via the Diocese of Norwich website here (Under Project, Appeal or Charity heading, choose ‘Bishop’s Lent Appeal’)

Or if you prefer to donate by cheque, please make it payable to ‘NDBF Ltd’ and make it clear that the money is for the ‘Bishop’s Lent Appeal’. Post to: 109 Dereham Road, Easton, Norwich, NR9 5ES.

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Eleanor Storey

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A festival has been given permission to keep one of its venues open late into the evening despite objections.

Norfolk and Norwich Festival organisers applied for a licence to allow outdoor entertainment up until 23:00 BST in its 'Spiegeltent' in Chapelfield Gardens.

The venue had received noise complaints in the past from neighbours.

At a Norwich City Council licensing committee meeting on Tuesday, external, the authority agreed to the hours but asked organisers to monitor noise levels and share any complaints received.

The festival, which dates back hundreds of years, features an array of shows and performances at venues across the city during a two-week run.

Some of the festival's most popular shows have been hosted at the Spiegeltent.

Not all locals welcomed the move and some said "considerable" noise was already generated at the event.

William Oxley, who lives in St Giles Street, said: "This is unnerving for residents and makes life unpleasant in the evenings.

"I have complained on several occasions in the past to local councillors about noise on one-off events - which is bad enough. But this is too much."

Council officers recommended that new noise enforcement measures should be brought in to ensure sound levels did not impact neighbours.

However, organisers believed their current methods worked well and said the proposed changes would be too expensive.

Daniel Brine, director of the festival, said: "Like all charities, we count every penny.

"Far from being a threat and a nuisance, we see ourselves as an asset to the city."

Organisers told the council they would continue to monitor noise levels and share any complaints received.

This year's festival will run from, external 9 May to 25 May.

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Litter, grime and a rogue army of abandoned shopping trolleys have turned a suburban bus stop into a public transport horror show.

Now, city folk, who have unanimously branded the Longwater Retail Park stop as "disgusting", are calling for someone - anyone - to take responsibility for its upkeep.

Perched between Pizza Hut and Sainsbury’s on the link road off Alex Moorhouse Way, while it may have a regular bus service, the only thing regular about the stop itself is its unrelenting state of neglect.

'IT'S A COMPLETE MESS'

John and Sally Locke, of Heartsease, who brave the bus stop at least once a week on First Bus’s number 23, have almost given up hope of seeing it clean.

John said: “It’s never been tidied up.

“Normally, there are four or five Sainsbury’s trolleys that just stand here for weeks.

"It’s a complete mess.”

READ MORE: Childcare club forced to close after being told to leave school

Sally was equally unimpressed: "It’s disgusting.

"People just don’t seem to care anymore.

"We avoid sitting in the bus stop because it's too dirty."

A HEALTH HAZARD

Linda Jenton, who occasionally uses the stop to head to the retail park from Norwich, says the problem has been around for years.

She said: “It’s disgusting.

“Every time I’ve been up here, it’s the same, and there's always a trolley or two.

“I feel like it’s a bit of a health hazard, especially if you’ve got little children tottering around and they head over there."

One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she uses the bus stop frequently from Costessey and had previously complained to Costessey Town Council.

She said: "The bus shelter is a disgrace.

"It poses a health risk, people just throw food around and it could attract vermin.

"I would like to see the litter cleared up and a new bus stop installed.

"Someone must be responsible for it.

"Even if they're not responsible for it, it would be nice if the bus company could at least come and clean it for their customers."

Despite the general filth, many agree that a simple solution, like adding a bin, might at least help contain the mess.

A BUS STOP WITHOUT AN OWNER

Unfortunately, no one actually seems to own the bus stop.

While most stops fall under local council responsibility, it is understood that this one sits on privately owned land rented to the Longwater Retail Park.

As a result, it’s been left in a bureaucratic limbo - uncared for, unloved and uncleaned.

Local councillors Gary and Sharon Blundell have previously tried to get answers.

Gary said: “The amount of litter around there is atrocious.

"You get trollies left there, and rubbish just piles up.

"It needs to be taken over by the council so that it can be cleaned and maintained and kept up to a nice standard."

Sharon, who is the chairman for South Norfolk Council, said: "The issue with that bus stop is no one seems to own it, it's not Norfolk County Council or Costessey Town Council.

"I thought maybe it was Sainsbury's, but they have said in the past it's not theirs.

"I am planning to do further digging to see what options are available as it really needs replacing."

With no clear owner in sight, locals are left wondering who, if anyone, will step up and deal with the mess.

The hope is that either First Bus or Park Palace Retail - both of who have been approached for comment - might step in to help find a long-term solution.

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The leader of Norfolk County Council has accused Norwich City Council of trying to "feather its own nest" in a huge shake-up which will see councils abolished and new ones formed.

Kay Mason Billig, leader of Conservative-controlled County Hall, fired a broadside at Labour-run City Hall over its approach to the biggest shake-up in local councils for 50 years.

The government's devolution plans would see the transfer of powers from Whitehall to Norfolk and the creation of a Norfolk and Suffolk mayor.

It would also see all eight of the county's councils scrapped and replaced with new ones.

Norfolk currently has a two-tier system, with some services provided by the county and some by the city, district and borough councils.

(Image: Sonya Duncan)

The shake-up would create unitary authorities to provide all services.

Councils are expected to work together to come up with proposals for how local government reorganisation will look.

But ministers have been clear it is prepared to impose models if consensus cannot be reached.

There has been speculation Norfolk could end up one, two or three unitary councils.

Norwich City Council has already said it wants to become a unitary authority in the shake-up, a stance backed by all political groups at City Hall.

The authority has set aside £250,000 to help develop a strong case for its unitary bid.

And at a County Hall meeting this week, Mrs Mason Billig criticised City Hall's approach.

Mrs Mason Billig said: "We are not going to be like Norwich, who have already chosen their preferred option of a unitary city, with no thought as to what will happen to the rest of the county.

"They will make the data fit their choice, not make a choice based on the facts and it’s very disappointing to see the amount they are prepared to spend to feather their own nest.

"Whatever comes of this, we are going to have to move forward together.

"Norfolk residents do not want to see the county and districts squabbling over how to spend their money.

"They will expect sound financial justification for whatever is decided."

READ MORE: Consultation starts over new mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk

But Mike Stonard, city council leader, stood by his authority's stance.

He said: "Norwich is the jewel in the crown of the county’s economy and when Norwich succeeds, Norfolk as a whole succeeds.

"There are compelling arguments for a unitary council for Norwich.

"We are a unique entity within the county, with our own distinct challenges which are very different to our surrounding towns and rural areas.

"A unitary Norwich, based on a wider urban area, would allow us to realise our growth potential, apply more holistic approaches to addressing health inequalities and work towards tackling longer-term underperformance in education and skills.

(Image: Mike Page)

"But we haven’t stopped here. We have been looking at the bigger picture.

"The most important thing we can influence right now is the decision about the size and number of unitary authorities that will be established in Norfolk.

"We have been very open and upfront about our aspirations for the city, and wider county, after the government reopened discussions on devolution and local government reorganisation for Norfolk.

"Having honest and open conversations across all parties is essential to finding ways to agree the best solutions for delivering local services to our residents.

"That’s precisely why we have been working closely and collaboratively with our district council colleagues throughout Norfolk for many weeks because we are committed to want what’s best for the whole of Norfolk."

Daniel Elmer, leader of South Norfolk Council, has previously criticised City Hall's tack, saying it had been arrived at without any consultation.

Some leaders, including Breckland Council's Sam Chapman-Allen and Broadland District Council's Sue Holland, have expressed concerns over "the arbitrary creation of large super-distant unitary councils".

Previous attempts at local government reorganisation have foundered amid deep divisions among councils.

The government has said initial proposals must be submitted by March 21, with final proposals lodged in the autumn.

Local government

Norfolk

Lives transformed at Teen Challenge in Norwich

Two years ago Christian rehab charity Teen Challenge was given Drayton Hall as their premises to intensively support men with addictions. Helen Baldry visited to find out about their work.

Drayton Hall is stunning; it has winding carpeted staircases, high ceilings, beautiful furniture and an impressive terrace backing onto manicured gardens. More remarkable is what happens in the building, which is home to 28 men all in recovery from addiction.

I am shown around by project leader Javier Lesta Candal and outreach co-ordinator Rev Vic Ready.

I was surprised to learn that the guys were not allowed to have phones, access to the internet or newspapers. When they first enter the rehab they are searched, and in the first phase of their stay – there are four phases in total spanning 17 months – they are not allowed to go anywhere unaccompanied. Later on, they are permitted visitors and to go offsite to visit family and accountability is built into the programme. The men are kept occupied with regular sessions on topics including, behavioural issues such as, anger, personal studies personal rights, accepting myself, attitudes, growing through failure. Spiritual subjects include biblical studies such as the history of the Bible starting with general information, followed by Old and New Testament studies, biblical inspiration, the Holy Spirit etc.

On each of these subjects there is a test which would be far from easy for mature Christians!

There is a well-equipped gym, games, and space to meet, talk together, pray and to meet in private.

What struck me, as I met a few of the guys as I was shown around Drayton Hall, was their focus on God's transforming power. They all testified of how their lives had been changed. They spoke unprompted, and with confidence and conviction about the difference in their lives.

The programme at Drayton Hall is steeped in God's word and the results are evident. There is a wall of photos of when the men first came in and the physical changes are astonishing. Sunken faces and clouded eyes are exchanged for a healthy brightness. However, it's clear that the real transformation is a spiritual one.

Javier said, “The only answer is Jesus Christ. He breaks chains and oppression. He breaks curses. We want to keep the gospel of Jesus Christ at the centre of everything we do.”

Javier talked about Teen Challenge’s refusal to compromise on Christian principles. Many organisations weaken when opportunities arise such as grant funding which results in the diminishing of the gospel because of the need to meet funders’ requirements and to be unable to share Christian truths. This is why Vic is keen to inspire local churches to pray for and financially support the ministry.

At the 5:17 coffee shop around the corner, run by Teen Challenge, I met Tommy who talked about the need to soften during rehab as opposed to being hardened while he was in addiction. The charity, which is linked with Teen Challenge London, also has a reuse centre at Ilford which provides employment opportunities and they do meaningful work including house clearance and sale of furniture. Plans for Norwich include extending the rehab to 35 beds and setting up a bakery to support the coffee shop and where the men can learn a trade.

Vic said, “The forward vision now is one of continuous expansion, which means making space for many more men to come and join the programme. To enable us to achieve this goal, we want to take the ministry to as many churches in Norwich and Norfolk as possible. So people can hear first-hand about the ministry and the testimonies from the men themselves and support it.”

Contact Vic on 07799 000066 vic@draytonhall.org.uk

Read more of Tommy's story here.

Pictured above: Vic (left) and Javier

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