Youthwork

• Introduction
• Children
• Youthwork
• Xchange

Diocesan Youth Work Adviser
nics@riponleeds-diocese.org.uk
Capt. Nic Sheppard (Church Army) 
Nic's task is to offer support and training to parishes in developing church-based youth work and youth projects in the diocese.

A WIDE VARIETY OF YOUTHWORK takes place in, through, and with Anglican churches in the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds. Most church youth work is undertaken on a purely voluntary basis.

Accompanying young people as they learn more about themselves, their world and God can be exhausting, challenging and yet deeply fulfilling for both adults and young people.

Keeping up to date with all that is going on for young people and their leaders in the diocese is made easier through the Youth Work Xchange. Click on the Xchange tab above to see what events, training and resources are on offer in support of work with young people and how you might contribute.

SPECIALIST YOUTH WORK PROJECTS are actively supported by the diocese employing in total over sixty workers and amounting to almost one million pounds of work each year. Many of them, such as the ones below, are undertaken in partnership with other churches, denominations and in partnership with other agencies.
Here is a sample...

Marrick Priory - offering residential experiences to thousands of young people each year.

The Market Place - offering an information, drop-in and counselling service to young people.

Leeds Faith in Schools - A team visiting and working with secondary schools in Leeds on behalf of all the churches.

GAP YEAR OPPORTUNITIES for young Christians in 2009
If you are thinking about doing a gap year before, between or after study read on...

Oasis Trust runs Frontline Teams for Christians aged 18-25 who want to spend 10 months working amongst the urban poor and marginalised alongside a local church. Those who join Frontline Teams receive excellent weekly training and support and have the opportunity to earn during the year, ending up with money in the bank! And on top of all this there is no set cost for becoming part of Frontline.

Time For God offers placements both in the British Isles and abroad, starting in September or January.

Careforce serve evangelical churches and organisations by placing Christian volunteers aged 17-30 where their help is most needed for one year.

XPLORE is a year-out scheme operated by Church Army, the Church of England's largest evangelistic agency, offering volunteer mission placements in a variety of settings at home and abroad.

EMPLOYING YOUTH & CHILDREN’S WORKERS
Using the experience of churches, workers and other advisers, Nic has recently co-authored a Guide for Churches employing youth and children’s workers. It helps churches work through the whole process of researching, planning and making an appointment. It also helps in making the best use of volunteers in youth and children’s ministry.

SAFE PRACTICE
The diocesan policy and guidelines for those working with children and young people is available for download from this web site.