How the Church is Working with Children, Young People & Families

Diocesan Synod at The Horstead Centre Children, Youth & Families Work Report

March 2011

40 years of The Horstead Centre

Growth in parish work with youth & children

Growth in parish work with children and young people:

Committed to Growth & Mission Fund

Open the Book at Fleggburgh CEVC Primary School

130 Volunteers Storytellers in 65 Teams

2012 – 26 MC2013 – 35 MC2014 – 40 MC

Youth Cafes

North Breckland Youth for Christ

Norwich Youth for Christ

ENYP

There is an urgent need to focus on children, young people and their parents and a challenge to identify how the church can best invest in people and programmes which will encourage young people to explore faith.

Prayer Spaces

2012 – 151 borrowers 320 items 2013 – 158 borrowers866 items2014 – 226 borrowers863 items

Local Parishes ‘committed to growth’

It is as if the space has tapped into a vein of spirituality in our pupils that none of us, themselves included, knew they had. Even pupils who exhibit challenging behaviour have been calm as soon as they walk into the space. Pupils who were already Christian seem relieved that their classmates now understand how faith helps them through their daily lives. Head of RE, Pakefield School

Start a Recognised Project.

Recognised projects mean you don’t have to reinvent the wheel but offer a best-practice models that can be adapted locally to suit community needs and church resources.

Recognised projects have a proven track record. We know they work. The church can have confidence in starting the project.

Unless you become like children…….