Graduate Volunteer Scheme
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 National Christian Youth Work Awards. P.3
Our Graduate Volunteer Scheme (GVS), an opportunity for a select group of young adults to gain invaluable experience serving young people and youth workers. 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 get a chance to be fully involved in this process; in developing these new ideas, in testing them locally, and in helping to share them nationwide. This one-year, voluntary commitment - for which board & lodging are provided - is a unique chance to volunteer full-time in a 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.
Welcome to the 2016/17 full time volunteer programme 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.
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Sasha s story So here I am in my last term on Youthscape s graduate volunteer scheme (GVS) and I find myself wondering where all the time went. Joining the GVS team has been one of the most rewarding and challenging decisions I have made so far in my life. Here s just a bit of my story...
The programme has given me the opportunity to develop and build on the skills I previously had as well as helping me build some new ones. I have always had a passion for working with young people and being part of the GVS programme has reaffirmed that and given me the confidence to keep pursuing youth work as a career path. So what have I actually been doing? During this year I have had the opportunity to: Be part of the YS local team involved in the compass programme that works with young people who are at risk of disengaging with education and is about giving them an opportunity to think through and challenge where their lives are heading whilst encouraging them to become all that they can be. My work with the local team has also allowed me to work within local schools mentoring young people individually and in groups. Work with Youthscape s national projects I have had the privilege of working with Romance Academy, Schoolsworkuk, the Centre of Research & the youth work awards. This has involved planning and helping to deliver events, working on websites, creating resources, delivering workshops within schools and to parents, helping at conferences just to name a few. Be part of youth groups engaging with local young people, having discussions, helping young people learn new skills, going on trips, weekend aways, summer camps as generally doing life alongside them. Be involved in a local church this has given me the opportunity to work more closely with the young people and those within the community where I live. Meeting with the same young people on a regular basis for the year has been a great opportunity to see them grow and change. This programme has helped me to connect and engage with so many people. Everyone has been so welcoming and friendly you instantly feel like part of a family. I have taken part and made so many great memories that I will take with me. As my journey on this chapter is ending maybe yours is just beginning 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. 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. Of course living anywhere for a year costs money so you ll need to do a bit of fundraising to cover your costs. We suggest you have at least 2,000 set aside for your year. Here s a few ideas to get you started - Ask your home church to send you Host a party to talk about your year. Run a fundraising event, cake sale, car wash or similar. You ll find more ideas on the youthscape website - look for the GVS pages.
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 Our programme starts in early September and runs through to August. Your schedule will be tailored to you and you ll be involved with our national projects 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 Bute Mills or out in the community. Joining the team helping run our after school Drop In, hanging out with local young people and running activities for them. 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 training programme. There s no charge for the year; you ll have lodgings and board provided and a daily allowance for lunch. You ll also have a desk in our office and full access to our IT resources.
DREAM BIGGER Email: Visit: hello@youthscape.co.uk www.youthscape.co.uk @Youthscape facebook.com/meetyouthscape