Graduate Volunteer Scheme 2015/16 Prospectus
We re Youthscape The most extraordinary group of people [doing] everything from teaching those who are completely disconnected from the church about Ignatian spirituality, through to dealing with self harm and all the rest of the issues that come to young people. And they do it all in the context of the work of Jesus Christ. Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury Youthscape is a Christian youth work organisation passionate about seeing transformation in the lives of young people. We develop innovative, proven ways to address the key contemporary issues that they face and especially those involving their social, emotional and spiritual health. Our team of over 20 are based in Luton, Bedfordshire, where we pioneer work with young people in schools, churches and the local community. The hub of this local work is our brand-new, state-of-the-art facility Bute Mills a five-storey youth centre and training facility, a place where new youth work ideas are constantly being born and put to the test. We then share what works nationally through our training, consultancy and resources - and inspire and equip churches to transform the lives of young people in their communities. Our nationally-focused initiatives include selfharmuk, Romance Academy, schoolsworkuk and the Youth Work Summit. P.3
In 2015, we re launching our Graduate Volunteer Scheme (GVS), an opportunity for a select group of young adults to gain invaluable experience serving young people and youth workers, and pioneering new youth work in a church context. At Youthscape we see churches struggling to respond to the needs of today s teenagers. The numbers of young people participating in or even connected to church has fallen dramatically in recent years, and at the same time the needs and issues experienced by young people are becoming increasingly complex. As Christians firmly committed both to young people and the local church, we believe new, innovative approaches to youth work are badly needed. Our passion is to develop that innovation in order to address some of these complicated life issues, and to help young people explore their spirituality. Participants in the GVS will have a chance to get fully involved in this process; in developing these new ideas, in testing them locally, and in helping to share them nationwide. Welcome to the 2015/16 full time volunteer programme This one-year, voluntary commitment - for which board & lodging will be provided - is a unique chance to volunteer full-time in both an organisational and church-based youth work context. It s an opportunity to serve God and young people, and to develop new skills and to sharpen your thinking, working alongside some of the UK s most experienced Christian youth specialists. P.5
Volunteering with YS As part of your GVS placement, you ll get the chance to join our team of experienced youth and school workers, working with young people with a diverse range of needs and life experiences. One day you might be asked to help with our Spiritual Development course, enabling young people to grow in confidence, self-awareness and understanding of spirituality. The next day, you could be helping to run an assembly for hundreds of excitable Year 9 s, or listening to a teenager talk about their hopes and dreams as part of our reflective mentoring work. At the same time, you ll be fully involved in some of our national programmes. You might be helping delegates at one of our training events, or talking to parents at a national roadshow. Or you could be helping us to create new resources for youth workers, or writing content for one of our high-profile websites. You might be asked to accompany a project director to a television interview, or analyse the latest research around teenage mental health. At Youthscape, and on the GVS, no two days are the same. P.7
Pioneering in a local church context Youthscape has rebooted youth work in our church, established a thriving group and enthused members of our congregation to get involved in leading youth. We highly recommend their ability to inspire and innovate new youth work. Rev David Fleming Limbury Baptist Church, Luton Recent estimates suggest that up to 75% of local churches do no formal youth work. We don t think that s ok. At Youthscape we re committed to helping the local church across this nation rediscover its connection with teenagers. Just as with all our other work however, we know the change needs to start on our patch first. That s why we ve developed relationships with a number of local churches, with whom we re now working hard to start and pioneer new youth work. Our GVS volunteers will be a key part of this initiative. Working in pairs assigned to a local church, you ll be responsible for helping create new, experimental expressions of youth work, while being fully supported by the YS staff team. This will include some evening work, and a commitment from you to become a full and active part of your assigned church. Your legacy as a result will be a new established youth work, which we ll help to thrive long after you ve completed your time with us. P.9
Beki s story I spent a year as a graduate volunteer with Youthscape In 2013/14. It was one of the most challenging, stretching and brilliant years of my life, and I d encourage anyone who loves working with young people to consider doing the same. Here s just a bit of my story... I grew up in Harpenden, a town in Hertfordshire. At school I was really into sport, and particularly Lacrosse. I was captain of my school team, and part of the England senior Lacrosse squad until I was 19, before a bad injury meant I had to reconsider what I was going to focus on. I went to University to study for a sport science degree, but in my first year things changed when I started to take my faith more seriously. I realised that I was passionate about working with young people, and started to gain experience in youth work, particularly in my summers. When my degree ended, I discovered I didn t have enough experience to become a full-time youth worker, but during my job search I discovered Youthscape. They offered me a voluntary position, which I knew would be tough financially, but the opportunity to work on the frontline, and to use some of my training and skills in sport and dance with young people proved too good to turn down. When I came in and met the team here, I knew straight away it was something I wanted to do. My year wasn t easy; I had to face some very new and very challenging situations working in school with young people. But at the same time it was massively rewarding. I grew in my skills and in myself quickly, coming out of my shell and getting opportunities to take the lead as time progressed. From the first to the third term there was a real sense of development in what I was being asked (and what I felt able) to do. I had to learn lots, and quickly, but it meant I got to do some amazing things, like work with young people who were on the edge of exclusion (and help prevent that), run a drop in cafe for local teenagers, become a mentor and listener, and even take a group away on an overnight survival school where we handed them all a knife on arrival! Without a doubt it was one of the years in my life where I learnt to rely on God more, trust him more for provision, and challenge my own self-doubt and confidence. After my volunteer year I didn t want to leave, and a job became available to manage the youth cafe. This was the same job that I had seen on the organisation s website after finishing uni, when I remember thinking to myself I wouldn t have enough confidence or experience for that. I applied, and here I am today! Enjoying every minute and now totally ingrained into youth work culture and the Youthscape family! P.11
Who are you? You re a graduate looking for experience in youth work perhaps to explore a vocation, gain some skills or simply give something back to God. We also consider applications from undergraduates who are looking for a placement as part of their studies. Your degree doesn t need to be directly related to young people or youth work. You may or may not have experience of youth work but you re driven by a passion for young people, and to see the UK church fully engaging with the needs - and the hopes and dreams - of the rising generation. You want to learn you want to develop skills and character, deepen your faith and challenge yourself to do something that makes a difference. P.13
What you can expect from us We commit to giving you an unforgettable experience, working at the front-line of youth work in one of the most exciting ministry environments in the world. You ll make new friends and gain new skills, but you ll also be personally mentored by experienced youth workers, strategists, creatives and specialists. You ll be given board and lodgings, and opportunities to join in with our extensive training and retreats programme, where you ll get space to get away and reflect on your practice. You ll also get time each week to check in with your fellow GVS-ers, and to spend time with the whole team. Enable All our interns will be enrolled on Enable, our accredited study programme for youth workers. Six teaching days over the year, together with a portfolio of your work, make up the course which is accredited by Pearson EdExcel and gives you a Level 3 qualification recognized by schools and employers. How it works and when to apply To apply, start by calling or emailing us and telling us you re interested. Where it s possible, we d welcome you to come and visit us in person to find out more. Then we ll ask you to complete a straightforward application form and participate in our selection process. You can contact us by emailing: graduate.programme @youthscape.co.uk or calling: 01582 877220 Our programme starts in early September 2015 and runs through to July 2015. Your schedule will be tailored to you and we ll ask you to choose one of our national projects to join and work alongside, as well as your direct work with young people in Luton. A typical week might involve Monday morning chapel & breakfast as part of our staff team Working directly with young people through one of our programmes in school, at our Bute Mills centre or out in the community. Two evenings each week working in pairs to pioneer youth work in a church: one evening running and activity with church volunteers, and the other hanging out with young people. Working alongside your chosen national project developing new resources, speaking or helping at events, or working directly with youth workers. Taking time to reflect on what you re learning, spending time with your senior team mentor and participating in our skills training programme. There s no charge for the year, you ll have your expenses paid alongside your accommodation and food. You ll have a desk in our office and full access to our IT resources. Pioneer youth work in Luton church Luton based YS work in schools & the community National project focus OPTION 1 Romance Academy OPTION 2 SchoolsworkUK OPTION 3 selfharmuk
DREAM BIGGER Call: Email: Visit: 01582 877220 hello@youthscape.co.uk www.youthscape.co.uk @Youthscape facebook.com/meetyouthscape