CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Research indicates a correlation between the growth and health of congregations and engagement with children and young people through organised and informal activity.

This work finds its diocesan focus in the Board of Education and is supported by two full-time advisers, our Diocesan Youth Officer and Children’s Work Adviser. They can offer advice and support to parishes on request and provide a wide range of events and training opportunities. There is a youth and children’s leaders e-mail list for sharing information and discussion (youth-leaders@lists.ely.anglican.org), and various e-bulletins and resources are published on the diocesan website. See www.ely.anglican.org/education

Growing Younger

The work is guided by a strategy document adopted by the Diocesan Synod in October 2009 called ‘Growing Younger’.  Its preparation was influenced by the emerging national document ‘Going for Growth’ which was presented to General Synod in February 2010. Both documents are accessible through the website at www.ely.anglican.org/education/about/board_education.html

They welcome the move from ‘mission to children and young people’ towards ‘mission with children and young people’ which gives space to and listens to the voices of children and young people, actively seeking their knowledge and insight. They affirm the local church as a central part of the mission of God with the hope that each child and young person should have the opportunity to encounter the Christian story, to explore it, to weave it into their own life and to become a disciple of Christ, living and sharing the Gospel with others.

As well as advice, support and training for parishes and volunteers who work with children and young people, there are a number of centrally organised events held each year. These include large events in the Cathedral (such as the ‘Praise Party ‘ and ‘Rave in the Nave’ – the region’s largest annual Christian youth evening event). All events are widely publicised. The Diocese is working with the Children’s Society in developing  follow-up to the 2009 landmark report ‘A Good Childhood’, including promotion of a local ‘Good Childhood Conversation’ in a number of venues.

There are currently ‘Core Skills’ courses for working with children as well as modules for Children and Youth Ministers in the diocesan Accredited Lay Ministry programme. The Youth Officer is also able to work with parishes individually to establish new youth groups, though this service is often much in demand.

Children and Communion

The Diocese offers support to parishes wishing to admit children (from the age of seven) to Holy Communion before Confirmation. Permission must be sought via the Bishop’s Office and it requires also a clear statement of the parish’s policy for the nurture of children in which context permission is granted. See www.ely.anglican.org/education/children/communion.

Youth Council

As part of its commitment to give space to the voice of young people a new Youth Council was established in 2009 consisting of people 14-25. It meets simultaneously with the Diocesan Synod and “hopes to promote the voice of young people within our Church, and to encourage and empower young people as leaders and valued members of our Church community”. See www.ely.anglican.org/education/youth/youth_council.html

Safeguarding

The Diocese is committed to providing local contexts in which young people and vulnerable adults are safe. All clergy are required to undertake regular safeguarding training and all parishes are required to adopt a clear policy which includes following clear procedures for the checking of adults who work with children. Further information on the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy and checking procedures is available from the Diocesan Office. See www.ely.anglican.org/information/children/child_protection/index.html

Resources Centre

The Diocesan Resources Centre, located within the Diocesan Office, is available to all who live in the Diocese. Its stock includes an extensive collection of resources and books to support working with children and young people in parishes and schools. Resources also include games equipment and major installations such as ‘Breathe’ designed to enable teenagers to explore their spirituality. The Centre is staffed by a part-time Administrator (usually Mon-Fri 9-5) and hosts regular Open Evenings. Its catalogue of holdings is available online and resources can be despatched by post (for a small fee) if getting to Ely presents a problem.
See www.ely.anglican.org/education/about/resources.html

Higher and Further Education

The Diocese employs the Chaplain at Anglia Ruskin University whilst the Colleges of the University of Cambridge employ individual deans and chaplains. There are Further Education Colleges in Cambridge, Huntingdon and Wisbech as well as two Sixth Form Colleges in Cambridge in addition to Sixth Forms attached to individual schools. Ministry in these institutions is developed according the resources available in local ministry teams and in partnership with the colleges themselves and is usually offered on a multi-faith basis. The Diocese, through the Board of Education, encourages local chaplaincy projects and is able to offer consultancy support through the Board of Education.