INTRODUCTION
A Theological Reflection
What is the United Reformed Church doing
working in partnership with a Government Department?
This question is often put to those leading
youth and children's work in our church. It is welcomed so that we may
answer clearly and thoughtfully.
First of all, we perceive that God is
present in all the world and is not restricted to working through the
Church. Further, central to our calling as followers of Christ is to
identify and to be where God is in God's world. And God is where truth is
honoured and spoken and where love/justice is visible in intentions and
actions. And God is where people suffer. We have this from the gospels and
the letters.
In the present case the Department for
Education and Skills has identified the need for a good society to address
the harm done to individuals and to society itself when they are excluded
from the enjoyment of its benefits, its freedoms and responsibilities. It
recognises that it is unacceptable that any person's life should be
prevented from expressing and enjoying its full potential and that
community is diminished as well as the individual by their exclusion.
The causes of exclusion are mostly but not
always known. Poverty, race prejudice, religious discrimination,
disabilities, sexual orientation, criminal history, alcohol and drug
dependence are but some of them and naming them is much easier than
understanding them and their sometimes complex dynamics. Some, such as
family relationships and the experience of physical or psychological
abuse, may be less obvious and more subtle but just as damaging. In turn,
communities often react to these with fear or suspicion thereby adding to
a spiral of alienation.
The Christian knows that many of these
causes are as old as human history and were current in the experience of
the Hebrews and thus the life of Jesus and the New Testament Church.
Books, such as the 'parables' of Jonah and Ruth, affirm God's demand for
an inclusive community later described by Paul as one in which there is
(in Christ) no longer Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, bond nor free.
Thus, at the centre of the Christian Gospel stands the figure of Jesus who
touches the untouchable, (notices the unnoticed, celebrates the
non-celebrity) breaks with religious and cultural convention and cuts
through established prejudice. Paul says that Jesus has 'come to those who
were near and those were far off'. Furthermore he speaks of the followers
of Christ being called themselves to this 'ministry of reconciliation'.
The very Incarnation describes a God who journeys from the centre to the
margins. Paul's own story was his proof.
In the light of this, the Church's ministry
resonates strongly, in this instance, with the impulses of State and
should welcome partnership in ventures which have at their heart the
healing of alienation and the creation of a more inclusive community. It
so happens that the examples which follow concentrate upon the life and
potential of young people who are at different times and in different
places, disillusioned, undervalued or simply discriminated against. Or
sometimes, have simply met with a lack of interest or affirmation and are
not so much 'pushed out' as simply 'not invited in'.
Perhaps the reader might ask, quite simply,
if Christ is to be witnessed in the story of these ventures and to what
effect. Beyond that, the reader might ask what venture they could imagine
themselves being involved in which would evoke the same verdict.
Duncan Wilson; member of the URC/DfES
Monitoring Group.
MISSION POSSIBLE
In October 1998 the United reformed Church
submitted an application to the Department for Education and skills for
funding:
'To undertake a one year feasibility
study to explore new ways of working with local churches to engage with
projects with priority groups including the disadvantaged (inner cities,
rundown housing estates, rural areas); the disaffected (truanting,
exclusions, at risk of offending) minority ethnic communities; those with
disabilities.
The aim was to set up pilot schemes
targeting social exclusion with the objective of providing specialist work
in priority areas. The projects would relate to local community need and
partnerships would be sought with other appropriate voluntary and
statutory agencies'
An Education Consultant was invited to
undertake a feasibility study for the United Reformed Church to establish
the viability of the scheme in partnership with the Department for
Education and Skills National Voluntary Youth Organisations Grant Scheme (DfES).
The Youth and Children's Work Committee decided to accept the
recommendations of the feasibility study and the projects were selected.
Every local church was invited to submit an application for funding and 9
projects were selected which matched the United Reformed Church and DfES
criteria. A monitoring group was established to safeguard the projects,
liase with DfES, provide information and devise a model of working
collaboratively with the central and local churches.
One central project was identified and a
specialist conference for black young people was planned. This was held in
the autumn of 2001.
A Stakeholder's Conference was also held so
that all the project workers could meet and compare notes.
The monitoring group compiled a critique of
the scheme and as a result the Youth and Children's Work Committee decided
to register with the DfES and continue the partnership.
The DfES funding is restricted to England
and although Wales and Scotland were involved in the initial consultation
no projects were undertaken in these countries. However as a result of the
critique the Youth and Children's Work Committee has included in its
budget financing for Scotland and Wales so that they are integrated within
future schemes. The outline for the 2002 - 2005 DfES scheme is in the
appendix.
All the resources are listed in the
Resource Appendix and may be obtained from the Youth and Children's Work
Office
The Connexions Service will be based on
eight key principles:
- raising aspirations - setting high
expectations of every individual;
- meeting individual need - and overcoming
barriers to learning;
- taking account of the views of young
people - individually and collectively, as the new service is developed
and as it is operated locally;
- inclusion - keeping young people in
mainstream education and training and preventing them moving to the
margins of their community;
- partnership - agencies collaborating to
achieve more for young people, parents and communities than agencies
working in isolation;
- community involvement and neighbourhood
renewal - through involvement of community mentors and through personal
advisers brokering access to local welfare, health, arts, sport and
guidance networks;
- extending opportunity and equality of
opportunity - raising participation and achievement levels for all young
people, influencing the availability, suitability and quality of
provision and raising awareness of opportunities;
- evidence based practice - ensuring that
new interventions are based on rigorous research and evaluation into
'what works'.
The projects show the many different ways
that these eight principles can work in practice.
What?
A partnership project between the United
Reformed Church and the Department for Education and Skills working with
Social Exclusion.
Why?
Explore new ways of working with local
churches by setting up schemes targeting social exclusion.
Who?
Local churches and ecumenical groups.
How?
Locally identified projects working within
URC and DfES guidelines reporting to a Monitoring Group.
Connexions?
Identify any relationship to Connexions.
When?
1st April 1999 to 31st March 2002.
Where?
Local churches and ecumenical partnerships
within Synods in England.
Outcomes?
9 local projects. 1 central project. New
model of working for future schemes. Critique of programme.
Challenges?
Collaborative working between the Church
centrally and locally.
Resources?
Feasibility Study. Terms of Reference for
Monitoring Group. Guidelines for Projects. Reporting, monitoring and
evaluation. Critique. Handbook.
PROJECTS
Project Street Life
What?
An alcohol-free bar and a place for
chilling out.
Why?
To have fun safely, a venue to meet friends
away from the worlds of drugs and drink and a focus to give youngsters
something life enhancing to do and to protect the community from youth
crime and vandalism.
Who?
Well Street Methodist/United Reformed
Church.
How?
An alcohol-free bar in the centre of
Buckingham.
Connexions?
Through involvement with the youth forum.
When?
Friday and Saturday evenings and days
during school holiday. Town centre venue provided by the church.
Outcomes?
Local partnerships with police, Town
Council, youth forum and District Council. Support from local community
groups and local churches. Developing popularity of the club amongst young
people. Further training for staff members.
Challenges?
High expectations from local community.
Increasing numbers mean employing and training more staff. Size of venue
restricts numbers allowed to use premises. Spill-over problems.
Resources?
Good press and publicity. Involvement of
local police.
Successful fund-raising.
Project Street Life opened in October
2000 with the aim of recruiting 50 young people in its first year. In
fact, over 500 members are registered and the venue has become so popular,
it is bursting at the seams and the project has opened its doors on an
additional evening and days during the school holidays. The challenges
have been with the young people who are unable to gain entry to the
premises and the project is working with the police and the local
community to devise ways of dealing with this. Both the Town and District
Councils support the project as do the six other churches in the town. The
initiative taken by Well Street Church was acknowledged and appreciated by
the community and as a result, further funding has been donated to the
project.
North Blackburn Youth Project#
What?
Outreach youth work for the marginalised in
Shear Brow, Blackburn.
Why?
To reach out to young people not involved
in the church and to provide a Buzz Club.
Who?
Revidge Fold United Reformed Church in
conjunction with Lammack Methodists, Church of the Good Shepherd Catholic
Church and St James Church of England.
How?
A converted basement in Revidge Fold United
Reformed Church offering a youth club facility.
Connexions?
The project was specifically developed to
help young people (aged 13-18) who had 'nowhere to go'. They were on the
streets in the area served by churches and were causing nuisance and
disturbance. The project gives them a base, contact with church members
(and other adult volunteers).
When?
Two nights a week, Monday and Thursday.
Where?
Converted premises in Revidge Fold United
Reformed Church.
Outcomes?
Successful recruitment of volunteers. Good
relationships with Radio Lancashire. Support from Blackburn Council and
Churches Together in North Blackburn.
Challenges?
Fund-raising. Cross community work
providing a diverse programme of creative arts, sport and recreation
facilities as well as study support in one venue with a wide age range.
Resources?
United Reformed Church Youth & Children's
Work Training & Development Officer. Churches Together in North Blackburn.
Volunteers.
Following an invitation from the Youth &
Children's Work Committee of the United Reformed Church inviting churches
to submit an application to join a social exclusion programme, Churches
Together in North Blackburn met to discuss the possibilities of setting up
a youth project in order to meet the needs of young people in the local
community, especially those on the local housing estates. A youth and
community worker was employed and research was undertaken with local young
people to establish their priorities and needs. The venue was selected and
a plan devised for the youth project to go ahead. The interest and
involvement of the Mayor of Blackburn has encouraged the development of
the project and he included the training and support of volunteers as part
of his charitable work for his year in office. The Youth & Children's Work
Training and Development Officer for the North Western Synod, was
instrumental in assisting the project to devise its strategic and
development plan and put in place policies, procedures and risk
assessments for all areas of the work for the Management Committee, the
Steering Group and for the training and development of staff, paid and
unpaid, and the young people themselves. The Project aims to provide a
variety of activities including art, sports and science and a variety of
resources from the local community are provided by skilled volunteers.
Trinity Youth Project
What?
Involvement in outreach work in the
community with social excluded young people.
Why?
The Church not only wanted to raise
awareness of social inclusion, but wanted to provide practical support to
the young people.
Who?
Trinity United Reformed Church, Abingdon.
How?
Networking with other churches and
organisations to provide holistic youth services in Abingdon.
Connexions?
Youth workers engagement with young people
in local schools.
When?
After school club on Fridays. Outreach work
at Abingdon Bridge Drop-in Centre for young people. Visits to local
schools. Youth groups within the Church community.
Outcomes?
Involvement in local schools. Development
of junior youth club (8-11). Detached work with drugs related projects.
Assisting at the mobile
drop-in centre. Drugs awareness work.
Information to young people
in the community on issues including drugs,
housing, relationships, family problems.
Challenges?
Not enough people and too much to do.
Networking with the local authority services. Providing a service to both
young people within
the Church and those outside the Church.
Resources?
The Church congregation and membership.
Partnership arrangements with the local authority, Time for God and other
churches. The Youth & Children's Work Training & Development Officer and
Synod Youth Secretary.
Trinity Youth Project came about as a
desire of the Church to involve itself in practical ways with young people
not involved in the Church. By forming local partnerships with the local
authority youth service, schools and youth information centres, the Church
in Abingdon has found a way to sustain its work with young people in the
Church and engage with other young people from the local community in a
variety of venues. The initial funding from the Social Exclusion Project
was sufficient to encourage the Church to put its ideas into action. The
Church has dealt well with the tension between the different youth
cultures by its total commitment and engagement with them and in the words
of one of its elders, 'our Church will never be the same again, thank
God'.
The original aim of providing a youth
project has been transformed into a much wider initiative of working with
young people in the community and the Church is fully committed to
continue its vital outreach aspect of the project. It is significant that
the planning and strategic development of the project was supported by the
expertise of two Youth & Children's Work Training & Development Officers
and the Synod Youth Secretary. With only small financial resources, the
Church stepped forward in faith and not only does it support the youth
work, but the further training of its practitioners. It is also
significant that the Church, as well as being involved in its own local
community, has also supported young people in further national involvement
within the United Reformed Church.
Newquay United Reformed Church
What?
A late night open door drop-in centre.
Why?
To provide a safe venue for young people in
Newquay with problems including homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse and
those at risk of offending.
Who?
Newquay United Reformed Church.
How?
A drop-in centre on Friday and Saturday
nights for vulnerable young people in Newquay.
Connexions?
The project youth worker visits schools.
When?
Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m.
onwards until the last person
has left.
Where?
Inside the Church which is re-organised
from its usual layout for services.
Outcomes?
Training in a foundation counselling course
for volunteers. Training for voluntary youth workers using the AMAZE
material. Partnerships with local schools. Networking with other
organisations.
Challenges?
Risk assessments. Appropriate health &
safety policies. Fund-raising.
Resources?
AMAZE. Youth & Children's Work Training &
Development Officer. Other relevant training.
Newquay Drop-in Centre was an initiative of
the United Reformed Church minister who was concerned about the lack of
facilities for vulnerable young people in the town. The Church
courageously decided to have an open door policy allowing young people to
come into the Church in the late evening and early hours of the morning
for refreshment and a listening ear. One of the challenges and key issues
was the diversity of people using the facility. Many had mental health
problems and needed intensive one-to-one listeners. The nature of the town
itself meant that people came not just from the immediate locality, but
also the itinerant travellers who stop off in Newquay for days and
sometimes weeks. Members of the Church volunteered to work in the drop-in
and undertook a basic foundation counselling course. Some of them are now
undertaking further training. The Church set out to achieve the five marks
of mission with its project and has had to work hard to balance its
mission with the necessity of providing a safe and secure drop-in centre.
It strives to retain its integrity in both areas and has devised a
behavioural policy which is displayed in the Church. The workers have
engaged with the local community police officer who is supporting the work
and encouraging working together. From the original vision of a drop-in
centre, further work has developed including a Thursday night session
where youngsters are allowed to experiment with musical instruments,
schools work with visits to the two local secondary schools, and a
mentoring project. The sessions have been organised into early
evenings for 9-13 year olds and from 9 p.m. onwards, 14-18 year olds. The
18+ are now being worked with individually outside the drop-in as there
are many with very deep and complex needs. The projects operates with one
paid full-time worker and approximately 20 volunteers working on a rota
basis. Funding initially was quite difficult. However, successful
applications have been made to the Church Urban Fund and other donations
have been secured providing sustainability for the project for another 3
year period.
Lewes Road United Reformed Church
What?
Basic food hygiene training for the
learning disabled.
Why?
To involve the learning disabled in the
local community.
Who?
Lewes Road United Reformed Church and the
local community association.
How?
To involve the young adults in working in
the community lunch club.
Connexions?
Outside the age range, even for young
people with special needs.
When?
One day a week.
Where?
In the local Church lunch club facility.
Outcomes?
Three young people successfully completed
their basic food hygiene training. Continued involvement with the lunch
club. Second group of learning disabled adults commenced food hygiene
training.
Challenges?
Recognition that those with learning
disabilities can play an active part in the community.
Resources?
Dedicated worker. Successful lunch club.
Involvement of Social Services.
Lewes Road United Reformed Church
already runs a successful lunch club for the local community. An approach
was made by Social Services requesting the Church to provide training
within the lunch club for young adults with special learning needs to
undertake basic food hygiene training as well as work experience in the
lunch club. The DfES agreed that if the young people were registered with
special learning needs, then they could be included within social
exclusion projects. The young people had a dedicated worker who worked
with them on the basic food hygiene certificate. They were also involved
in preparing and serving the food at the lunch club. The local community
learned that those less able than themselves were capable of being
involved in the community in very practical ways. The Social Services
Department recognise the value of the work the Church was engaged in and
sought its assistance in providing a service. Networking between the
Church, the local community association and the statutory agencies
developed the credibility of the work being undertaken. The original 3
young people are now involved in the lunch club on an ongoing basis and
new trainees are currently undertaking their training for the basic food
hygiene certificate. These new people are all over 25. However, the
provision of a facility for training and work experience is highly
regarded and, although the scheme has moved on to working with young
adults, it has opened doors for others excluded from the day to day life
of the community.
West End Church
What?
Work with refugees and asylum seekers.
Why?
The Church recognised there was a need in
the community for the many refugees and asylum seekers living in the area
with little support.
Who?
West End Church working together with other
agencies.
How?
Outreach work with minority ethnic
communities focusing on secondary school age young people.
Connexions?
Support for local schools from the
practitioner.
When?
Daily.
Where?
At the local refugee Centre, on the local
estate.
Outcomes?
Regular contact with families. Links with
professional agencies.
Working with local schools. Activity days.
Challenges?
Language barrier. Adverse publicity for
refugees and asylum seekers. Necessity of working with families rather
than just their young people.
Resources?
Links with other professional agencies.
LEA. Local schools. West End Refugee Project.
The minister of West End United Reformed
Church had been closely involved in setting up the West End Refugee
Service. Together with the Church membership, he recognised the need for a
worker to provide a specialist service to families with young people who
were excluded from the usual community activities. The worker was involved
in all aspects of the families' involvement with the community, but
particularly with aiding the young people into education, providing them
with information about local resources, activities, and leisure sports and
social activities, and integration into the community. Referrals were made
from other agencies. One of the key issues was that the worker often found
herself involved with other refugee and asylum seekers in the community
who appeared to have little contact with the local services. She often
found when she visited families to discuss the needs of the young people,
that other neighbours were seeking her assistance in all matters of daily
living from explaining legal matters, rents, benefits, etc., to how to ask
for the food they needed when they did not have the English names for the
items. The project worked closely with the West End Refugee Service who
made frequent referrals whenever they had families with young people.
There was also a good relationship regarding sharing information, concerns
and resources, and a consolidated approach to supporting families.
'Activity Day' provided the opportunity for new experiences and also for
travelling further afield than the small local area in which the young
people are normally confined. The Church had recognised a gap in the
provision of services and although the Church building was not in a place
which could be easily utilised, it managed to provide the service and
support focusing on young people with a desperate need.
New Street Community Centre
What?
An ecumenically supported project working
with young people on an impoverished estate in St Helens.
Why?
To provide young people with a positive
experience of volunteering.
Who?
A Christian youth worker supported by a
local ecumenical project working in a community centre.
How?
Young people volunteering their time on a
range of community projects working with a mentor and gaining 'money can't
buy' type rewards.
Connexions?
Credits for personal portfolios.
When?
Daily on an ad-hoc basis.
Where?
At New Street Community Centre.
Outcomes?
Positive volunteering experience for young
people. Informal networking between the churches. Raising an awareness of
need in the local community.
Challenges?
Lack of money. Practical involvement of
church members.
Resources?
Resource from the 'Dream Scheme' Project,
Sheffield. Community Centre staff. Youth & Children's Work Training &
Development Officer. Local United Reformed Church minister.
The Christian youth worker working in
New Street Community Centre was aware of a project previously run in
Sheffield called 'the Dream Scheme' and together with the other partner
agencies at the Community Centre realised this was an opportunity to
involve young people in a positive volunteering experience. They worked on
a whole range of community projects including aluminium can recycling,
conservation work, working in the Community Centre, gardening on the
estate. The young people were awarded points, ten points equalling one
hour's work in the scheme and every ten points could be traded for
'treats'. There were initial difficulties in recruiting volunteers to act
as mentors but once this was resolved, young volunteers worked in
supporting the After School Club, running the tuckshop and organising play
activities. 30 young people participated and of these 6 achieved the
Council for Voluntary Service Certificate for Volunteering.
Dorchester United Reformed Church
What?
A parent and family outreach project
working with 'at risk' young families.
Why?
A concern about young parents and their
children and a need for good parenting.
Who?
Dorchester United Reformed Church.
How?
Providing specialist training for church
members to run courses in good parenting.
Connexions?
No involvement.
When?
From September 2001.
Outcomes?
Successful training for the mentors.
Provision of support for 'at risk' families.
Challenges?
Recruiting volunteers. Encouraging young
families to participate.
Resources?
STEPS (Steps To Excellence and Personal
Success)
Pacific Institute, Seattle 981041-1051, USA
The programme consists of twelve 2 hour
sessions facilitated by 2 trainers. The STEPS programme was supplemented
with other related parenting materials. The underlying principles are
Christian and the programme is a pro-active approach targeted at young
parents and their families enabling problems of social disaffection to be
tackled at source. The young people were supported as part of the family
based learning project. The project was a creative initiative undertaken
by the Church in response to an identified need and as an outreach
strategy of the Church and its millennium vision.
Cedarwood Trust - Video Project
What?
Cedarwood Trust Ecumenical Project -
Northern Synod.
Why?
Provision of youth work on an impoverished
and refurbished estate in Meadow Well.
Who?
Unemployed young people, users of Community
Centre, local residents.
How?
Plan, make, produce and market a video
showing the effect of poverty
on crime.
Connexions?
Association with local technical college
for accreditation for young people undertaking the project.
When?
During the Spring and Summer of 2001.
Where?
Inner city. On the Meadow Well estate and
in neighbouring Jesmond,
a well off, neighbouring area with high
class shopping and housing.
Outcomes?
3 young people working with professional
youth work video company, employment opportunities, public showing of
video, involvement of the local community, MP, Councillors and other
funders.
Challenges?
Revision of programme because of
insufficient funding. Adverse publicity for one of the young people
involved and his subsequent imprisonment.
Resources?
Professional video. Professional youth work
company. Access to local MP and Councillors to raise issues. Involvement
of the whole community.
The Cedarwood Project is an ecumenical,
community project working in Meadow Well, North shields. The United
Reformed Church has been involved for a number of years and a URC Minister
has in the past held the post of Director.
The young people involved in the project
wanted to highlight the difficulties of living on an estate, in poverty
and stigmatised by previous events in the area, namely riots a number of
years ago. Despite all the resources poured into physical improvements in
the area following those riots, very little had changed for the people
themselves.
The young people decided to produce a
video investigation into the effects of poverty on young people and its
relationship to crime. Two young men and
a young woman worked with a professional
youth worker from Swing Bridge Video, a company producing educational
material with and for young people, for a year, planning, preparing,
researching, interviewing and producing the video - 'Poverty - It's a
Crime'.
They contrasted their experiences and
those of young people in Scotswood and Byker, both deprived areas, with
those of people from Jesmond and North Shields. Young people give their
views on poverty, school, crime, drugs, CCTV and policing on the estates.
Themes of making choices and taking responsibility are presented within
ideas of what type of youth and community provision would work best for
young people.
The challenges were many not least
adverse publicity and the difficulties of working with young people almost
without hope and who had no expectation of being taken seriously, but the
project culminated in a public showing at a major cinema in North Shields
attended by local voluntary and public sector organisations, the local MP
(who is interviewed on the video), participants, residents, local trusts
and the general public. The United Reformed Church Synod and its Moderator
supported the project throughout from inception to completion and their
encouragement and interest played an instrumental part in the project.
The video is an imaginative and unique
insight into young people's lives and is for use in schools, youth clubs
and community training context. It can be bought or hired from The
Cedarwood trust, 43 Avon Avenue, Meadow Well, North Shields, Tyne and
Wear, NE29 7QT or speak to The Moderator of the Northern Synod.
Stakeholder's Conference
What?
Central Church conference for stakeholder's
within the scheme.
Why?
Bring together all the participant groups
to share information, learning and challenges.
Who?
All project leaders and workers, Monitoring
Group, DfES, Secretary for Youth Work and YCWT's.
How?
3 day residential conference.
Connexions?
Identification of opportunities for future
involvement.
When?
Autumn 2001, 18 months into the projects.
Where?
Central venue (Derbyshire) in residential
conference centre.
Outcomes?
Networking. Evaluation of scheme. Feedback
from projects. Involvement of DfES.
Challenges?
Achieving a common understanding of the
scheme for participants of different backgrounds, churches and
communities. Finding a time and place convenient to all.
Resources?
Evaluation from the conference.
Providing an opportunity for key
personnel from the various projects to meet with each other and share
experiences was always recognised as good practice. The diversity of ways
in which the funding was being used by the many different projects gave
great heart to those involved and allowed them to be even more creative in
their responses to the needs of local young people.
Providing peer support and
encouragement, as well as theological reflection on their aims, objectives
and methodology, meant that those attending returned to their projects
with renewed vigour and a deeper understanding of the roles local churches
could play in meeting the needs of young people.
The conference also gave stakeholders
the opportunity to meet with personnel from the Monitoring Group and the
DfES.
Black and Dynamic (BAD) weekend
The United Reformed Church
Social Inclusion Project
The 'Black and Dynamic'
(BAD) weekend
The first in a series of
weekend activities focusing
on work with young black
people
16th - 18th November 2001
U.R.C. SOCIAL INCLUSION PROJECT
THE 'BLACK AND DYNAMIC' (BAD) WEEKEND
The first in a SERIES OF WEEKEND
ACTIVITIES FOCUSING ON WORK WITH YOUNG BLACK PEOPLE
16th -18th NOVEMBER 2001
Background to the weekend
The initial funding for this event was
provided by developmental youth activity funds from the DFES as part of
their partnership work with voluntary sector youth organisations, aimed at
increasing aspects of social inclusion. Having made a successful bid, this
initiative, within the URC context, translates itself into a number of
challenges. The aim of increasing the participation of young black people
within URC youth activities has been a high priority, hence the particular
focus of this weekend. Within this report the term 'black' is used to
define people from African, African-Caribbean, Asian, and other (visible)
communities, people of dual heritage, who may experience racism. This is
in line with usage of the term by the National Youth Agency and its
publication 'Shabaab', a magazine that seeks to promote and celebrate
black young people's action.
Earlier work in this area has seen youth
exchange activities on an international basis focused solely on young
black members of the URC (1993), and a number of joint initiatives with
black Methodists culminating in summer activity theme-based programmes
(1998/2000). The urgency for this kind of work was also underlined in the
development plans co-ordinated by the URC's multicultural/multiracial
development worker, July 2000. These comments reflected the need for an
ongoing commitment to work in this area, as depicted by the FURY Review in
1998:
'We recommend that FURY be re-launched with
the same name and inclusive approach, but with a new image emphasising
diversity and inclusiveness'
AIMS/OBJECTIVES, PROGRAMME* AND LEARNING
OUTCOMES
The aims of this event were to provide
space for young black people to share stories and explore their faith and
culture. It would also provide some opportunity for them to comment on the
kinds of future youth work activities that they would find most helpful
within the context of the URC.
The weekend's objectives included:
- Bibliodrama - role play and reflection
on Bible-based drama activity
- Formulating time-lines and sharing our
spiritual journeys
- Sharing ideas via a community profile of
the issues - social, theological - in the areas where we live
- Sharing in a percussion workshop aimed
at building teamwork
- Taking part in creative workshops around
dance, drama, music and writing
- Putting together a plan for networking
and future activities
- Conducting an evaluation
- Drawing aspects of the weekend together
within a final celebration.
The learning outcomes focused on:
1. increased self-awareness and ability to
assess own faith journey
2. ability and confidence to articulate
future ideas, activities and programmes
3. to both give and receive support through
being part of a network
* See appendix for full programme outline
THE GROUP
The group's profile was as follows: 10
women and 10 men, whose ages ranged from 15 to 24. There was a mixture of
those at the latter end of their school careers; those currently looking
for work; those who had experienced significant periods of unemployment;
and others who were at the early stages of chosen careers through training
(University courses, etc.,) or direct employment.
The group was not fully representative in
terms of attracting young people from different parts of the country, the
North in particular. Those who did attend came from the West Midlands
area, the Home Counties and London.
PROJECT VENUE
The project location was suggested because
of its unique context. It was significant because Dunford House was
originally a stately home belonging to Richard Cobden, an anti-slave
campaigner during the 1800s. This in itself proved useful in referring to
historical aspects of changing ideas and priorities within British
society. Also, being the only group using the house this weekend, it also
enabled a greater sense of cohesion to occur.
TRAVEL
The group used two main forms of transport:
minibus and train. We were fortunate in that the minibus users came from
the same area, and were able to co-ordinate travel together. The train
users experienced more difficulties, whilst end-of-week commitments and
variable train connections led to some members not arriving until late
Friday evening.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
Dunford House was identified early on,
having been used extensively by one of the planning team. The setting of
the house and its facilities enabled planning of a wide range of
activities, including time out in Portsmouth on Saturday evening.
The location was also accessible for other
resource people based in London and the South. Having the facility to
ourselves meant that there were lots of rooms for large and small group
activities, and for creating library/resource areas where materials could
be explored at leisure. The grounds and country setting also proved useful
when it was necessary to change the mood by taking walks and breaks in the
nearby woods.
Having no responsibility for food
preparation or washing up, etc. gave more time for the group and the
programme. There was a varied menu of freshly prepared items in plentiful
amounts. The quality and range of choice was exceptional and equally the
ability of the staff to take on board different dietary requirements, and
the style in which they looked after us, added to the enjoyment of the
weekend.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
A long preparatory period prior to the
event was useful and enabled us to do a pre-event visit and undertake a
range of risk-assessments relating to the building and local amenities.
GROUP FEEDBACK AND EVALUATION
The group was lively as indicated by the
range of comments below:
1. What was least useful about this
weekend and why?
The hour in Portsmouth before the
bowling
The agenda was packed up
Racist remarks by onlookers made me feel
unwanted in Portsmouth
Nothing
Our Communities
There is not enough time given to
reflect on both yourself and the sessions given (too much to do in one
day and not enough time to do it)
The percussion workshop, because I
didn't understand why we were doing it and the connection to the
identity and culture
We had to wake up too early
The agenda was so packed we were rushed
off our feet
2. What was most useful about this
weekend and why?
The sessions were most useful because
they taught me a lot of things
Meeting other black youth within the URC
- becoming aware of the fact that others exist - 'communicating' with
others/'working together' and coming up with fantastic final products
coming from such different backgrounds
Getting together and worship with other
URCs
When everybody spoke about their life -
very touching
New people from different backgrounds
Hearing other people's stories
Session 4 - you got to know people's
thoughts and things you didn't knowabout each other
The ability to gather and unite as a
group, and spiritually by yourself; the free time away allows you to
refresh back into the hectic lifestyle
Sharing stories, because we learned
things about people that we wouldn't have already known
Getting to know other people
Location, because it was quiet and gave
you time to reflect
The location. It was far away and
allowed total change of scenery and relaxation
We got to meet and interact with youth
from other Churches.
3. Which session was most useful to you?
Explore reasons, content and structure
Sharing stories was because I learnt a
lot about people
Telling our history was good, because
some people had same history as you
Sharing stories - it was amazing that
the group had come to a point where we could be open and honest with
each other
The Identity and Culture
Session 5, sharing stories - very
touching
Morning devotions - a time to worship
God in songs and praise him
Reflective celebration: the ability to
share your work with others in an open environment
Reflective celebrations: gave me a
chance to see what other people could do
Sharing stories
Instrumental, because I love music and
it was lively
Preparation for celebration; I got to do
a bit of poetry.
4. Why do you think this type of event
is important?
Because it brings the URC black
community together as one
So people can make new friends and get
to know about themselves
Helps to give you a wider picture,
beyond your own church situation
Because it brings a sense of belonging
and recognition in the URC
Because we have the weekend to try and
find ourselves
To give young black people support in
church, and just to get together
To bring black people together in unity
and to meet others you can relate to
Because without these 'sessions' the URC
will not be and will not have the texture of bonding that the URC needs
Because it lets us know that we are not
alone in our faiths and beliefs, and it gives us the chance to encourage
and be encouraged
Because you get to learn new things
It unites the young and dynamic young
black
Christians in the URC
Because it teaches the youth important
lessons about expression and culture.
5. Would similar opportunities in the
future assist your spiritual development?
Yes x 8
Yes, very much
Definitely
Yes, because it would be nice to be able
to grow and understand that growth in a safe environment.
6. State one positive benefit of the
weekend for:
(a) you;
I learnt some Christian values and
morals
Telling about myself to other people,
and they were giving advice
Development of friendships
Getting to make Christian friends from
other URCs
Learnt about other youths my age, and
they're quite similar
Meeting new people
New adventure, new experience
Just the chance to get away and reflect
Playing my music
(b) your local church/community;
getting young black people together
I am going to tell others how good this
weekend was
We go back refreshed and revitalised
My church will benefit from the youths
from other churches making friends
We are more close
Sharing what we learned
They now have more educated kids and can
benefit from what we were taught.
(c) the wider church
Youth seeing that there is a 'wider
church' beyond their own individual church
Brings unity
To develop connections throughout
England
Other black people will learn about this
event and come to it through the people that have been
Letting others know that black young
Christians can do things.
7. Do you have any other comments about
this event...?
Please can we bring a West Indian cook?
You have done a very good job! Thank you
very much.
The event was well co-ordinated and has
helped the young black youths to feel a sense of value.
Thank you very much
Good. I would like to come again
I thought a black person, coinciding
with the whole point of us being here should have led the percussion
session.
It was good overall, and it would be
good to have it again I became quite emotional when I saw the
achievements of the reflective celebrations. It showed a better picture
of the person
It was wicked man! Thank you.
LEADER'S EVALUATION AND COMMENTS
Despite limited time, our feelings as
project workers were that, the initial aims of the weekend were met and
the main learning outcomes achieved. Other observations are noted in the
following points:
For many this was the first chance to
meet in a mono-racial setting. This enabled a degree of trust to develop
quickly, and for a deep level of sharing on very personal issues to
occur.
Many of the informal discussions and
activities highlighted a wide range of skills that young people only get
to contribute to the Church on a partial basis. This suggests that
support and encouragement on personal development/choices and
decision-making are often taken in conjunction with significant others,
e.g. youth workers and sympathetic teachers/ministers, who act as
'gateways' into the wider church.
All within the group were able to
demonstrate a level of confidence in participating within activities
that were critically assessed by their peers. For example the creative
and self-assured approach to the drama, rapping and singing activities
were striking. Equally, the writing workshop and comments on personal
journeys so far reflected evidence of a healthy, critical
self-awareness.
Many of the learning outcomes reflect
important issues and concerns. Our main concern, to explore aspects of
racism within church and society, obviously requires sensitive handling
when working with a mixed ability group. The infrequency of an event like
this has raised some important questions about URC youth work provision
and its ability to meet the needs of a particular group of young people
that it purports to serve. Related to this are other issues, such as how
effectively national events support and complement local activities, and
the degree to which topics covered in this weekend should indeed be
explored far more widely.
Our observations and practice throughout
the weekend demonstrated that young people are willing to explore topics
that, within church contexts, are often perceived as taboo. These include:
1. being able to integrate ideas of being
black with a positive self-identity, against a wider backdrop of mainly
negative stereotyping in society;
2. developing a theology that affirms their
dignity and provides a basis for appreciating difference and accepting
others;
3. preparing to deal with the
structural/interpersonal realities of race and racism, and how such
aspects may impinge on their future hopes and aspirations; and
4. receiving support and encouragement from
other young people and adults who are prepared to be frank and open about
the difficulties and issues they face within this area.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the likelihood that funding could be
secured to repeat such an event, it would be useful if the following
recommendations were adopted:
Clearer communication and realistic time
commitments be agreed by the various URC 'stakeholders', e.g. Racial
Justice Office, Youth Work Department, World Church and Mission, Church
and Society.
That practitioner time and energies be
realistically mapped out, i.e. that co-workers have a clear basis of
support for undertaking this work, and that this be reflected in
adjustments within their other work responsibilities.
Consideration is given to holding day
and 24-hour events in different regions covered by the United Reformed
Church.
That partnership work be explored with
other groups, e.g. other ecumenical bodies and voluntary sector agencies
interested in working alongside young people.
That long-term consideration is given to
effective ways of maintaining contact, learning and growth on an
inter-personal basis. This may lead to the devising and establishing of
a mentor scheme, which would directly address the issues of trust and
support so vital for work in this area.
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES
Recognising that monies from the DFES have
funded this programme, it may be important that a thorough examination of
the national youth work budget is made to determine whether such
activities can be funded without monies from outside sources. Assuming
that this type of project work is incorporated into the national
provision, it would be important to attempt the following:
Consider ways of working across URC
National Committees so that further funding and resources may be
secured. This could involve a range of creative initiatives and project
work between, for example, the Racial Justice, Youth and Children's
Work, Church & Society and World Church and Mission departments. This
type of inter-departmental activity almost seems a natural development,
given the nature of race and racial justice activities and the ways they
can manifest themselves at different levels of society.
That the Youth & Children's Work
Committee keep such work as a standing agenda item so that progress can
be easily identified, monitored and evaluated.
That contact be kept with the weekend's
participants through the development of a network/news-sharing process
and that they are kept on mailing lists for other national events, e.g.
FURY Assembly.
Prioritisation of such work as an
objective for the Secretary for Youth Work, who could make particular
efforts to maintain contact and be supportive of workers who are
developing initiatives in this area.
A national gathering or a more
localised/regional day be organised for those young people and youth
leaders who were unable to get to the event, but who would be interested
in work on the themes and ideas in this area.
That links to be made with bodies such
as CWM. This could lead to discussions around mission strategies in this
area, and ways we can share and learn from member churches in similar
situations.
THANKS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to record our thanks to the
following individuals and groups:
Lesley Anne Di Marco, Secretary for
Youth Work
Heather Latimer, PA to the Secretary for
Youth Work
The Thames North and West Midlands
Synods for providing project workers:
Lorraine Downer, Youth Worker High Cross
URC, Tottenham
Wal Warmington, Youth & Children's Work
Trainer for the
West Midlands Synod
Tim Barnes, Consultant on the URC Social
Inclusion Project
Katalina Tahaafe-Williams, Secretary for
Racial Justice
Highcross URC, Tottenham
Department for Education and Skills -
DfES
APPENDICES:
1. Participants -
Noel Adam
Yemy Adedipe
Karen Campbell
Nicole Carter
Kismet Cooper
Phil Ferdinand
Sam Johnson
Audrey Lukwago
John Macaulay
Naomi Macmeekin
Cory Morris
Rochelle Morris
Dorothee Munyaneza
Brenda Olam
Samuel Seasay
Matthew Singh
Simon Smith
Andrew Williams
2. BAD WEEKEND, 16-18 NOVEMBER 2001:
WEEKEND OUTLINE
Friday, 16th November
9.00 House tour
9.30 Ground rules and
why we are here
10.00 Trust games
10.30 Reflections
10.45 Video
Saturday, 17th November
8.00 Breakfast
8.45 Devotions - 'Why R we here?'
11.00 Session 1 - Identity, Biblical
drama/reflections
Tea break
Session 2 - Our Communities
1.30 Lunch
2.30 Session 3 - Percussion Workshop
Groups 4 - Reflective Celebration
(Dance, Drama, Music, Poetry)
4.30 Tea break
Session 4 - Sharing Stories
6.30 Dinner
7.30 Leave for Portsmouth (free time, let's
chill, bowling)
Arrive back to Dunford House
Sunday, 18th November
8.00 - 9.00 Breakfast
9.30 Reflections
Session 5 - Planning Celebration Worship
(poetry, music, drama, dance)
11.30 Tea break
Session 6 - What next?
Session 7 - Sharing stories and group
evaluation
1.00 Lunch
Reflective Celebrations
Session 8 - Personal evaluations
3.30 Refreshments and depart
3. Pieces from the Creative Writing
workshop
Creative Writing Pieces
Matthew Singh
I see love I see pain I see a man making
love again
I see rich people I see poor people I see
another man on the floor again
I see light I see dark I see another woman
getting rape again
I see boy dem I see my peep's get lock away
Noel
My Choice
My Pastor gave me the option
I made the choice
To go on this experience
And to lift my voice
We gathered together
The URC's
As one black Christian family
We've learnt a lot
And teach a lot
This weekend has deepened our thoughts
To respect each others
For this deep memorable cause
Yemi
Deception Reality?
Insane.... Quiet, keeping still
Emotions pointless not knowing what I feel
'help', asking questions unanswered
Paranoid.... Get a grip, take my thoughts
for granted
For instance is this life a punishment
Live only to die under judgement
John
I flick on the news
So many sterotypical views of black youths
And its only up to us to make moves
Put down the guns, pick up your diploma
And instead of going felts, take a nice
trip out to croma
Black people got to start uniting, and stop
the fighting
Once we do that, I guarantee we'll be
smiling.
Cory
After shocks and before shocks
High grade smoke and yoghurt pots
Comfy rooms run cold, on equal ground
Friendship is made as youth organisations
break ground like garden spades
Chocolate people find common ground
Like two bastards in one room
In the trees birds sing and life rings
through the air like chapel bells
While street huslers sell bones
We join the dead with feathered tomb stones
Chantal-Marie Taylor
Will I ever walk the streets with pride?
'possibly tomorrow'
I hate to look back on every wall
Every space, a confinement
cutting a chase to get me home.
I long for the day when
Within every footstep
A pavement eases and smiles with joy
Not
Reflecting the pain of a boy
And the blood of a man
Because, within every gunshot
My son is born.
4. Responses to Jamaican Bible Study
Tape..
Interesting imagining Jesus speaking
patois
It was interesting to hear the Bible
read that way
Hearing the readings adds character to
the story
Seriousness...it caused me to take
Jesus' words seriously when I heard them.
On first hearing didn't know whether to
take it seriously or as a joke
It highlights how important the medium
of communication is
5. Final Celebration Session
Outline of session:
Song: My Jesus my Saviour (all)
Poem, 'Untitled' - Cory
Poem, 'I See' - Matthew
Dance
Poem 'Untitled' - John
Poem 'A Poem' - Andrew
Song, 'Amazing Grace' - Naomi
Drama
Poem 'Reality' - Yemi
Poem 'Possibly Tomorrow' - Chantal
Prayer - Sam
Song 'Lean on me' - all
CONCLUSION BY
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTOR
Next Steps
This partnership of the Youth and
Children's Work Committee and local projects was always intended to
provide a resource from which people in other local churches and
situations could easily benefit and learn.
There is great variety in the way in which
the projects have sought to reach out to young people. Each one has been
very conscious that its actions were based on putting into practice the
implications of the Christian Gospel.
Each one illustrates the need for careful
preparation taking advantage of professional advice and the support, for
instance, of Synod Youth and Children's Work Trainers.
Each one shows the need for committed and
able leadership, for effective teamwork and the ability to adapt to
changing circumstances.
All have been 'person centred' in that they
have taken account of the needs, gifts, background and interests of the
young people they sought to engage with. But they have also worked to
their strengths, the abilities of their leaders and volunteers. They have
also shown the need for and value of good management and financial
planning. In the end, the financial contribution from the URC/DfES has not
always been critical to their success but has acted as a lever to further
funding and opened a way whereby the URC could be a partner.
They are now offered as a resource for
wider use and information. Your interest in knowing more about these
projects will be welcomed, particularly if you are at the stage of
exploring possibilities in your own locality. They represent good practice
and a wealth of experience. Those involved will welcome your interest and
be glad to share the experience and expertise which they have gained.
Please contact the Youth Office at United Reformed Church House - 020 7916
8682.
'Mission Possible' has not come to an end.
The three years of funding support by the DfES has. However, the United
Reformed Church does have limited financial resources available to support
projects for 'Social action' and 'New enterprise in mission' and most
Synods have funds designed to assist local churches in mission projects.
But the most important resource is local initiative and commitment to the
inclusion of young people in the life of their local communities and
churches. The foregoing projects show how effectively this can be done.
RESOURCE LIST
United Reformed Church Documents
Available from: Youth Office
United Reformed Church
86 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9RT
Tel: 020 7916 8682
Email:
Youth Office
Feasibility Study - Tim Barnes, Education
Consultant
Mission Possible Briefing paper - Youth &
Children's Work Committee, DfES Monitoring Group
Youth & Children's Work Training &
Development Officers Contact List
Critique
Good Practice Second Edition - available
through the URC Bookshop
(020 7916 8629)
DfES
Website
Connexions
Website
Churches Together in England (CTE)
Executive Officer (Youth) - John
Baxter-Brown
Churches Together in England
27 Tavistock Square
London WC1H 9HH
Tel: 020 7529 8133
Good Practice in Ecumenical Youth Work -
ISBN 1 874295 204
Other Agencies
National Council for Voluntary Youth
Services (NCVYS)
2 Plough Yard
Shoreditch High Street
London EC2A 3LP
Tel: 020 7422 8630
Email
Website
National Youth Agency (NYA)
17-23 Albion Street
Leicester LE1 6GD
Tel: 0116 285 3700
Website
The Prince's Trust
18 Park Square East
London NW1 4LH
Tel: 0800 842842
Website
The National Council for Voluntary
Organisations (NCVO)
Regents Wharf
8 All Saints Street
London N1 9RL
Tel: 020 7713 6161
Helpdesk: 0800 2798 798
Email
Website
Millennium Volunteers
MV Unit
Department for Education and Skills
Room E4
Moorfoot
Sheffield S1 4PQ
Email
Website
AMAZE
P O Box 5898
Hinckley
LE10 2YX
Tel: 0121 503 0824
Email: amaze@clara.co.uk
Website
Time for God (TfG)
Chester House
Pages Lane
London N10 1PR
Tel: 020 8883 1504
Email
Website
Literature
The Web of Insights
Anne Frank Educational Trust
P O Box 11880
London N6 4LN
Tel: 020 8340 9077
Email
Website
Youth Work Magazine
Subscriptions:
Tel: 01892 652364
Website: www.youthwork.co.uk
Young People Now
Subscriptions:
Tel: 020 8606 7500
Email
Website
Shabaab
National Youth Agency
ISBN: 1466-819x
NYA Publications Catalogue
National Youth Agency
Funding
Grants & Loans Group
Secretary: Miss Jean Thomson
28 Mountcombe Close
Surbiton
Surrey KT6 6LJ
Tel; 020 8390 5232
Email
Funder Finder
Website: www.funderfinder.org.uk
Directory of Social Change - Youth Funding
Guide
ISBN: 1 900360 96 9
InKind Direct
19 Milk Street
London EC2V 8AN
Tel: 020 7860 5930
Fax: 020 7860 5920
Website
Other Contacts
Local partnership organisations such as:
Local Authority Youth Service
Local Council for Voluntary Services
Social Services
Learning Skills Councils
Local Trusts and Businesses
Voluntary Sector Organisations
Comprehensive local information should be
available from libraries and Citizens Advice Bureau's.
