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Every Good Work is a project growing new young disciples across the city of Wakefield.
The Project involves the Diocese of Leeds is working in partnership with three local churches who have a strong track record of serving their local communities. National funding has been made available for them to work together with other local partners to engage with young people in schools and other settings, to work with them in developing social justice projects, and to develop new worshipping communities that are shaped by and ultimately led by young people. It is intended that over 200 young new disciples will be involved in these new worshipping communities by 2028. In the first year of the project we have already connected with over a thousand young people.
St George's are seeking a youth worker who will help them deliver this vision alongside committed church leaders and a broader support team. The youth worker will be based at a St George’s Church, Lupset and will work with the team to develop and deliver the project over five years.
They are offering a competitive package and a broader support network within the project and the wider Diocese.
Hours
35 hours a week expected to be worked flexibly in agreement with line manager. Weekend and evening work will be expected, including playing a part in the worshipping community of St George’s church.
Job Purpose
This role is part of the Every Good Work Team- a partnership of three churches that is nationally funded. The funding employs a team of youthworkers develop new worshipping communities with young people who have been engaged first through schools and detached contact, then through engagement in social action (both existing and peer developed). The development and delivery of our own discipleship journey ‘Acorn’ is key to this approach. The Acorn Course is a six week course followed by a weekend away. In the course the young people volunteer in various social action groups and then reflect together on the experience and learn about the Christian faith.
The youth worker will take responsibility for delivering on-the-ground work in the parish of St George’s Church in pursuit of the aims of the project. They will also be responsible for growing a team of volunteers who can support the work. The Project has already develop links with the local high school and established a youth club in the parish. The youth worker will take responsibility for these activities, as well as help take the programme further through the implementation of the Acorn course, establishing a young worshiping community and supporting young people in establishing social action activities.
Support will be offered by the project co-ordinator, Damilola Ayala, and the project is led by Revd David Gerrard. There are also two other youth workers who will provide mutual peer support.
Main duties and responsibilities
The Every Good Work Project was granted funding support one year ago, with the first youth workers being employed at the beginning of 2024. As such, this is a relatively new project and the role of each youth worker will continue to develop over time.
- To play an active part of the Every Good Work team, meeting together regularly to pray, worship and plan and working collaboratively to develop the project. This will include participation in Wednesday team meetings.
- To work with young people (aged 10-19) in school, detached and church settings to build positive, safe and life giving relationships. Specifically, working in Trinity Academy Cathedral High School, Wakefield, running Stand Youth Group at St George’s Church and developing the Acorn Course in St George’s Parish.
- To work collaboratively with partner organisations in schools and social action work to facilitate engagement by and with young people.
- To work with young people to develop social action initiatives alongside the local church.
- To share the Gospel through action and words, appropriately inviting young people to a life with God.
- To develop a clear pathway of discipleship for young people.
- To develop new worshipping communities as vehicles for discipleship with young people.
- To develop young people as leaders in the life of the new worshipping communities, including encouragement to internships where appropriate.
- To be part of the wider leadership of the lead church and work under the line management of that church leader.
- To be an active member of their primary church, including weekly Sunday morning worship.
- To share responsibility for the development of clear guidelines and appropriate safeguarding practices, including risk assessments, for all youth activities which fall within your area.
- To participate in diocesan safeguarding training.
- To maintain appropriate and accurate records of participation for reporting to the project board (with support from the project co-ordinator).
Leadership Expectations of our Youth Workers:
- They expect the youth workers to lead by example, being active disciples of Jesus.
- They expect the youth workers to be proactive – seeking out opportunities to engage with young people in appropriate ways.
- They expect the youth workers to be active learners, taking time to develop their own faith as well as engaging in training with particular attention to safeguarding.
What our Youth Workers Can Expect of Us:
- Regular line management with trained line managers.
- Regular team meetings
- Administrative support through the project co-ordinator.
- Access to a diocesan learning community of paid youth workers.
- A termly quiet day
- A retreat each year
- Access to an external mentor if desired.
- Prayer from local church members.
- Fully reimbursed expenses (subject to the organisation’s expenses policy)
Closing deadline 18th October, shortlisting on 21st October and interviews on the 12th November.