What I try to tell young people is that if you come together with a mission, and its grounded with love and a sense of community, you can make the impossible possible. John Lewis
Off-Grid Generator
We made a grant to our Deanery Synod asking for money for a generator and video projector to help with the youth work. This is the application.
- To meet the physical, intellectual and spiritual needs of young people over the age of 11.
- To ensure young people find purpose in their lives
- To have fun
Describe briefly the way you will achieve these Mission aims & objectives:
- Currently we meet twice a week on a Thursday and a Friday.
- On a Thursday night we are looking at Mark’s gospel.
- On a Friday night we meet to organise games, chat and have fun.
- Young people are also encouraged to come to our family service and Tea and Toast service.
- We are starting to train young people in worship and leadership.
- Young people over the age of 15 are becoming leaders and receiving training
Who else is involved in this project and how are/will you work together?
- The PCC has been proactively supporting the youth work by providing insurance, meeting to discuss the progress of youth work and ensuring we act in accordance with the law in regard to policies and insurance.
- Lerryn School have raised the funds for an initial building. We meet in this building free of charge.
- The young people have already raised £200 towards the video projector.
Could the project outcomes be adapted for use in other parishes/clusters? If so, how?
- It depends on what we get funding. In terms of the video projector then all parishes could use one.
- However, in terms of the generator then it depends whether they go down the road of off-grid working.
- However, in respect of our youth work, I would encourage all churches to come and see what we do. I am also happy to offer training in youth work. I am fully trained as a JNC accredited youth worker and have over 25 years experience working as a detached youth worker for local authorities and churches.
How will you know you have achieved your aims and objectives?
- The generator will allow us to be off-grid.
- The video projector will allow us to offer a more in-depth worship experience.
Our main target is to raise £899 towards a generator that would provide off-grid electricity to the building we use. This would allow us to set up lights and also run a laptop for videos etc. The shop that will sell us the generator has a second hand model for £360. This has had very little use and the shop term it as nearly new.
Our secondary target is for £300 towards a video projector. The total cost is £500 but we already have £200 raised.
On a long term basis we are talking with the school and will start a greater project in that we will be building our own club hut which the school will have use of as well. This will be sited on the school playing field and will be a major asset to all.
Total amount sought from Deanery funds:
£899 or £660 if we are able to purchase the second hand one. If you would prefer us to buy a new one and will put £101 towards the video projector, we will continue to raise the final amount needed for the video projector.
Relational Youth Work
- Love God. Philippians 2 v “Even if I am poured out…
- Love the young people.
- Be real – be yourself. Be exactly that.
- Believe in the young people that you’re working with.
- Stand with the young people when they are in it.
- Have a laugh with the young people. (Create memories).
- Cry with the young people.
- Share the triumphs with the young people.
- Confronting the pains.
- Have (big) dreams for the young people.
- Let the young people live their own lives. Let them go.
Practical Youth Work
Practical youth work activities are the heart of this youth group. These include:
- Short-term activities which require little planning and are a great way to encourage social interaction, such as games, arts and crafts.
- Longer term activities, projects and events which require more advance planning such as workshops (for example dancing, sports), trips, discos/music events, youth exchanges, and inter-club visits.
New volunteers bring with them their own skills and interests. They may be able to add to the range of activities run in the youth group, and should be encouraged to do so.
Usually young people will be involved in deciding and planning the activities programme.
Examples of youth work activities include:
- Arts and crafts – themed arts, cards and gifts, graffiti art, face painting, glass painting, hair braiding, mobiles, puppets, printing.
- The arts – drama, music, video, dance.
- Games – team games, non-competitive games, group games, team-building games, puzzles and quizzes.
- Sports – traditional sports, unusual sports, competitions.
- Cooking – pizza-making, pancakes, cake decorating, non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Issue based activities – drugs and alcohol, sex and sexuality, anti-racism, anti-bullying, environmental, global citizenship.
Volunteers can add to the activities programme from their own skills and interests. As part of our induction process we will discuss with you any skills and interests, and any contributions that you can make to the activities programme.
Rude vs Mean vs Bullying
There is a distinction between the above behaviours:
- Rude
Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else. They might have elements of bullying but rudeness is generally based on thoughtlessness, rude manners or narcissism, but not actually meant to hurt someone. - Mean
Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once or maybe twice.
The main distinction between rude and mean behaviour has to do with intention.
Kids are often mean by criticising clothing, appearance, intelligence, coolness.
Meanness also sounds like words spoken in anger, motivated by impulsion – angry feelings or propping yourself up.
Children should be held accountable but it is different to bullying when it comes to intervention. - Bullying
Intentionally aggressive behaviour repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power.
Bullying has 3 key elements:- An intent to harm
- A power imbalance
- Repeated acts or threats of aggressive behaviour
Bullying may be physical, verbal, relational or carried out via technology.