Employed Youth Workers

There are about 50 youthworker or ministers employed by Anglican churches in Guildford Diocese, which is amongst the largest number in any diocese in the country. They are employed to undertake a great variety of roles, and we are involved in providing specific support and training for them. If you are one of the chosen 50, this page is for you, as it tells you how we offer to support you!

We run termly networking and training events (which are planned over the summer, so any suggestions are always welcome – we invite leading theologians and trainers as well as eat lunch and go on retreat!) and I also offer to visit each worker annually in their parish. We respond to particular needs within churches, as we become aware of them. We can offer independent advice on pay, terms and conditions, policy, planning and pastoral situations. If you have a problem, then we may be able to help, or if not, point you in the direction of someone who can! We try to think of ourselves as a family of youthworkers, supporting and encouraging one another in what can sometimes be quite a lonely and isolating role, and we even have an official box of tissues (stored in David’s office) for times of difficult and stress! David is trying to avoid thinking of himself as either big brother or dad in this metaphor, both of which would make him feel very old! (And having 50 children who are all youthworkers would be a bit terrifying…)

If you are new to professional youthwork, either as someone making a career change or someone on a year out, working for a church or other Christian organisation in the Surrey area, we offer a training programme specifically tailored to your needs. Further details about first timer training scheme (for youth and children’s workers) click here. We also offer advice on career progression and other training opportunities. There are also a number of events and support that we can offer throughout the year.

We can also provide in-house training for teams of people within your church or deanery, come and speak at a youth group session or church service; we can even be an advocate for youth ministry within the church community.

In addition to our 3 training events each year, we also take a group of leaders to the annual Soulnet retreat, held at Centreparcs each February (see www.soulsurvivor.com/soulnet). In 2012, we took a group of 20 people away who found the weekend both challenging and refreshing. One worker said ‘the highlight of my year’. At a cost of just over £100, it is excellent value, and a great opportunity to spend time away from the routine, and to spend time with God and others who understand the joys and pains of youth ministry. If you are interested in coming in 2013, please contact David in the first instance. The weekend will probably run from 8^th-10^th February 2013.

Click here to download the latest mailing to employed workers. We also offer a number of events that you might want to bring your youth teams to.

• Introduction
• Children's Work
• Youth Work
  • Volunteers
  • Employed Youth Workers
  • PCCs and Incumbents
  • Networking
  • Support
  • Training
  • Events
  • Youth Work Resources
  • Book Recommendations
  • Weblinks
• Resource Centre
• Safeguarding and CRB