Youth Development Project of the Diocese of London. T1 How to set up a youth activity

Transcription

1 Youth Development Project of the Diocese of London T1 How to set up a youth activity Whether you would like to start up a bible study group for teenagers on a Sunday or an open youth club on a Friday evening, this simple guide should help you through the process. This guide is for church s who are just beginning in youth work and assumes only a small budget and volunteers. 1. Vision What are you trying to do and why? Eg. Start a cell group or an open youth club What is your vision i.e. what do you want to achieve? Be clear about your objectives Consider forming a steering group to help move things forward 2. Consult What other resources for young people are already available for young people in your area? Consult with young people themselves, either in church, the community or through schools; a good youth provision is responsive to need. Be honest with them about parameters venue, budget etc. 3. Where?

2 What premises are available to you to use? This will determine the kind of activities the group will be able to do. If a building within the church isn t suitable, what about other community buildings? The vicarage? A local school? Is there storage space and adequate toilet provision? 4. When? When will you meet time, day, during the holidays? Try not to clash with other youth clubs meeting in your area 5. Who? What age group are you aiming for? Do they have to attend church or can any young person come? What policy do you have available for young people with specific needs? Eg. Equal opportunities policy, inclusive play policy etc. 6. Volunteers and staff What volunteers are available and when are they free? What skills do your volunteers have? Appoint volunteers carefully and for a probationary period to monitor performance. A volunteer role description might help (see T50) Complete enhanced DBS checks for all volunteers and a volunteer agreement (see T52). Volunteers must be DBS checked before starting. If you are employing paid staff, see section 3 Youth worker recruitment and employment

3 7. Funds Does the church have a budget for youth activities? Are there funds you can apply to? Are you prepared to fundraise? Are you going to charge an entry fee to the youth club? 8. What? Plan the youth work programme in advance for at least three months (see T55) Invite other people with specialist skills to run workshops (ensure they are DBS checked) 9. How? Registration and general consent form (see T56). Store in a secure and confidential place Keep a register each week of participants Special activity consent form (see T57). Store in a secure and confidential place 10. Policies and procedures In order to provide a safe environment for young people and volunteers alike, the following are the minimum policies and procedures required: Safeguarding Health and safety

4 Equal opportunities Volunteer agreement Accident and incident report forms Risk assessment forms Recruitment and selection (See the Toolkit for samples of the above policies) 11. Resources Online and published resources will help you with activities Are there any existing groups who you might be able to borrow from? 12. Promote How will you advertise and promote your group? Flyers, open evenings, letters, school, word of mouth, parents, church website, parish news letter, , facebook, twitter etc 13. Participation Involve young people in establishing rules for the club/group What do young people want to see on the programme? Are there any young people who are interested in being trained as peer leaders or who can be youth leaders themselves when they reach a certain age? 14. Qualified youth workers

5 Some churches employ part-time qualified youth workers. This might be one way forward and it might not be as expensive as you think. One of the benefits to having a paid youth worker is that they can take on the planning and co-ordination of the activities and the management and support of volunteers. 15. Review and inform It is important to regularly review the youth activities and learn from evaluations and feed back from young people Remember to keep the church updated and informed about the youth group so that they are aware of it s developments and needs Use the youth work Self Evaluation Tool for churches to get an overall picture of where you are currently at and identify what changes are needed to improve the outcomes for young people in your church.