Taking the church to young people and their families is a challenge that is being met in a number of places in Yorkshire. Major Jane Kimberley reports

Serving the younger generation

LEEDS CENTRAL
LITTLE London is an inner-city area that had an Army presence for many years until Meanwood Goodwill Centre closed. The community now comprises people from various ethnic backgrounds - many of whom do not have English as their first language.

Ten years ago Salvationists from the nearest corps, Leeds Central, felt they should get involved in their local schools. This led to volunteers assisting with reading, homework and after-school clubs. From the outset the corps supported the ministry with prayer, and the work further developed when Josh Self (formerly Timothy programme and now a second-year cadet at William Booth College) joined the team working in the schools.  when Josh left, the corps committed to appointing and part-funding a children's worker, Sam Evans, who shares her time between working in the schools and the corps.

Sam realises the importance of partnerships in the community and works closely with Heather MacLean of the Baptist church.

They have overseen the introduction of Feel Good Groups - where well-behaved children mentor those with challenging behaviour. An extension of this is work with siblings to encourage communication in families with chaotic lifestyles. They also hold lunchtime and holiday clubs.

Corps officer Major Julie Forrest feels it is important to develop a church community within the area rather than transport people to a corps in another neighbourhood. In a joint venture Sam and Heather are developing Sunday worship in a creative style with activities and food.

SOUTH LEEDS INITIATIVE
IN Beeston Mark Hodgkinson (team leader) and Matthew Read (youth worker) are working closely with churches and schools to bring the gospel to young people. Mark says: ‘It's no good waiting for people to come to us - we need to go to them. Getting to know the young people and visiting their families is very important.'

Working with Churches Together and Kidz Klub (Leeds) - an ecumenical outreach programme - Mark and Matt participate in clubs for 300 first-year secondary school youngsters. After the programme had run for a year the need for a move-on group was apparent. This led to the setting up of Space by eight people from five different congregations who have a heart to journey with and disciple young people. Mark says: ‘The programme has just snowballed. Some of the young people, who we've known for three years, participate in Bible study and want to help with the younger groups. In addition to this, some have linked into the Leeds Youth Cell Network.'

The work in schools started with lunchtime clubs and continues to develop. Many of the young people find it hard to achieve and this seemed to be reinforced when the school was placed by the Department for Education and skills in ‘special measures'.

Mark, Matt and the youth team are finding that their involvement with the schools and in the lives of young people is increasing, and their role is seen as part of the solution in turning the school around. Some of their time is spent with young people working in an allotment, and they are also involved in sexual health education within the school programme. In addition to this, they work closely with Ambassadors In Sport who present football and faith side by side.

BRADFORD SCHOOLS PROJECT
LIEUTENANT Tony Brown, a former secondary school teacher, already knew the need to support young people outside the classroom. Tony says: ‘It's almost impossible for busy teachers to follow up and get alongside young people who are exhibiting problematic behaviour, so I began to envision how The Salvation Army might work in schools to support young people and staff.'

Tony works as a chaplain at Immanuel College, a Church of England comprehensive school in inner-city Bradford. His work with young people between the ages of 11 and 18 involves teaching RE, working with young people at risk, running lunchtime and sports clubs and leading Kidz Klub for primary school children.

Initially Tony thought that his work would be with youngsters at risk of being excluded from school, but he soon realised that some young people can feel excluded because of their circumstances.

He has timetabled involvement with some of the most vulnerable youngsters; teachers sometimes make referrals and a young person facing problems may choose to self-refer.

Tony says: ‘The project is essentially ecumenical and is an integral part of the school's pastoral care system. I work alongside a Church of England chaplain, a youth worker, a Church Army evangelist, Becca Hargate (who is on the Alove programme Essential 2) and Christian volunteers.'

Every week the team visits 130 children in their homes, building relationships and sharing their spiritual journey. As a result of this, he says: ‘We are beginning to see positive changes in young people's lives.'

Tony wants to continue supporting the school and is looking for new ways to engage with young people, including working with primary school children. He also wants to discuss with other school workers across the city ways in which they can work together for Hope 2008. As a further development, Tony would like to see a church outreach centre planted on a local estate.