I used to work as a journalist in the BBC so when a big story broke there was always something I could do about it. Now I miss the immediacy of responding to a story with either facts, opinion or reflection. Hence this blog. But my life is more than an existence driven by the events of others. So this space is for me to write about things that matter to me, Barrie Stephenson.

I run workshops where people create digital stories from the events  of their own lives. If you want to know more about this side of my life there’s a whole site dedicated to it. My business is called  digistories. I also run another blog Telling Lives – digistories linked to my business. Click the links if you want to know more.

I am a Christian and belong to St Michael le Belfrey church in York. It’s part of the Church of England. Those who know about these things also call it a Charismatic Evangelical Church.  That means that it places an emphasis on Bible Teaching and the experience of the power and love of the Holy Spirit. I am involved in a number of responsible positions in the church helping people to find their place to serve as Christians and as a member of the church council. Enough to say that I take my faith seriously.

I have helped to set up a charity to provide homes for homeless people. It’s called Restore (York) Ltd.  I am also on the board of Riding Lights Theatre Company based in York. The company is the pre eminent Christian Theatre Company in the UK established for over 30 years.

I am married to Joan who is a history teacher. We have three grown up sons, a grandson and a granddaughter.