You don’t have to do ministry alone.
Helping youth and children’s workers stay well, lead well and sustain ministry.
Children’s, youth and families ministry is one of the most rewarding callings in the Church. It can also be one of the most isolating. Many leaders find themselves carrying responsibility, navigating challenges and making difficult decisions without people around them who truly understand the realities of ministry life.
The SWYM 360 Community exists to ensure that no children’s, youth and families worker has to do ministry alone.
We’re building a community where people are known, supported, encouraged and sustained for the long haul.
Annual membership is £360, with a range of funding partnerships and subsidised places available.
Join 360
Chat To Us About 360
Belong. Sustain. Grow.
Three simple words capture what members consistently tell us they value most about the 360 Community.
Belong
A community of people who understand what ministry is really like.
- Local Small Groups
- Peer Connection
- Resource Sharing
“You don’t have to do ministry alone.”
Sustain
Spiritual rhythms and support that help you stay healthy in ministry.
- Weekly Call to Prayer (online)
- Annual Retreat
- Personal Retreat Days*
- Summer Pilgrimage Walk*
“Space to pause, pray and be renewed.”
Grow
Practical learning and development alongside trusted peers.
- Deep Dive Learning Communities
- Round Table Conversations with Experienced Ministry Practitioners
- 1 Personal Development Day at Lee Abbey
- Access to Experienced Mentors across a range of ministry areas
- Annual Guided Conversation with the 360 Team and your Line Manager
“Grow in confidence, clarity and leadership.”
More Than a Programme
360 isn’t something you graduate from.
It’s a community you belong to.
Many members join for a season and then discover the value isn’t simply found in the activities. It’s found in the relationships, rhythms, support and encouragement that help sustain ministry over the long term.
Just as children’s, youth and families workers don’t stop needing community, support or healthy rhythms after twelve months, we don’t see 360 as something you complete.
We’re building communities where ministry leaders are known, supported and sustained for the long haul.
What Members Say
“The role can be isolating… it’s really valuable to connect with others.”
“The Tuesday morning Call to Prayer has been an amazing way to start the day.”
“The retreat was a really helpful chance to relax and connect with God and others.”
“The annual conversation was really, really helpful.”
How 360 Helps You Belong, Sustain and Grow
Every member has access to everything.
Belong
- Local Small Groups
- Peer Connection
- Resource Sharing
Sustain
- Weekly Call to Prayer
- Annual Retreat (This February at The Imperial Hotel, Torquay)
Grow
- Deep Dive Learning Communities (termly)
- Round Table Conversations with Experienced Ministry Practitioners
- Access to Experienced Mentors
- Annual Guided Conversation
- 1 Personal Development Day at Lee Abbey
Optional Additional Experiences
Members can also access:
- Personal Retreat Days*
- Summer Pilgrimage Walk*
- Additional Personal Development Days*
* Optional experiences may include an additional cost.
Is 360 For Me?
360 may be for you if:
- You sometimes feel isolated in ministry
- You’d value a trusted community around you
- You want healthy rhythms that sustain you spiritually
- You’d benefit from encouragement, prayer and support
- You want to keep developing in confidence and effectiveness
- You’re looking for people who really understand your ministry context
The Heart of 360
The heart of 360 is not events. The heart of 360 is people.
Retreats, prayer, learning communities and development opportunities all matter. But the reason they matter is because they help create communities where children’s, youth and families workers are known, supported and sustained in ministry.
We believe healthy ministry begins with healthy people.
And people flourish best when they belong, are supported and continue to grow.
For Line Managers & Church Leaders
Investing in 360 is investing in the health and sustainability of your staff member.
The SWYM 360 Community helps children’s, youth and families workers:
- Feel less isolated
- Develop supportive peer relationships
- Build healthy spiritual rhythms
- Continue growing in confidence and effectiveness
- Sustain ministry for the long term
Because healthy ministry begins with healthy people.
Looking to support a member of staff?
Learn more about how 360 can support the wellbeing, development and retention of your children’s, youth and families worker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to attend everything?
No. 360 is designed to be flexible. Every member has access to the whole community, but you are encouraged to engage in ways that fit your role, season and capacity.
What if I'm really busy?
Many of our members are balancing demanding ministry roles, family life and other commitments.
360 is designed to support you, not become another burden.
Some members engage weekly, while others engage more selectively depending on their current season of life and ministry.
Is 360 a training programme?
Training is part of what we offer, but 360 is much more than that.
360 is a community built around helping children’s, youth and families workers:
Belong. Sustain. Grow.
How much does membership cost?
Annual membership is £360 per year.
We never want cost to be the reason someone misses out on the support, connection and development that 360 provides, so a number of funding partnerships are available across the South West.
Many members receive support through:
- Their church
- Diocese
- Denomination
- Local organisation
- Strategic funding partnerships
If funding is a concern, we’d love to have a conversation and explore what support may be available.
Chat to Us About 360
Can I continue after my first year?
Absolutely. In fact, that’s what we hope for.
360 isn’t designed as a one-year course that you complete and move on from.
It’s a community designed to support children’s, youth and families workers throughout their ministry journey.
As your ministry, role and context evolve, your need for encouragement, connection, prayer, support and development evolves too.
Many members choose to continue year after year because they value the relationships, support, encouragement, spiritual rhythms and development opportunities that help them flourish in ministry.
For many people, 360 becomes part of the way they sustain healthy ministry rather than simply something they attend.
What if I can only engage with some parts of the community?
That’s completely okay.
You don’t need to do everything to benefit from being part of 360.
Some members engage weekly, while others participate more selectively depending on what is happening in their ministry and personal life.
360 exists to support you, not to create another expectation to keep up with.
Is 360 for experienced workers or those new to ministry?
Both.
Whether you’re stepping into your first ministry role or have been serving for many years, 360 provides space for connection, encouragement, reflection and growth alongside others who understand the realities of children’s, youth and families ministry.
Is 360 only for full-time children's, youth and families workers?
Not at all.
360 is for anyone serving in a significant children’s, youth or families ministry role, whether that’s full-time, part-time, bi-vocational or voluntary.
Many of our members are balancing ministry alongside other responsibilities, including family life, other employment, study or volunteer commitments.
What matters isn’t how many hours you’re paid to work. What matters is that you’re actively involved in children’s, youth or families ministry and would benefit from community, support, encouragement and opportunities to grow.
If you’re unsure whether 360 is right for your situation, we’d love to have a conversation.
Chat to Us About 360
I'm a volunteer. Is 360 still for me?
Possibly, yes.
Many volunteers carry significant responsibility and leadership within children’s, youth and families ministry. If you’re leading teams, supporting young people, helping shape ministry or carrying responsibility for part of your church’s work with children, young people or families, you may find 360 incredibly valuable.
The best way to explore whether 360 is a good fit is to get in touch and chat with us.
Chat to Us About 360
Ready to Find Your Place?
You don’t have to do ministry alone.
Join a growing community of children’s, youth and families workers across the South West who are finding support, connection and encouragement for the long haul.
Whether you’re stepping into your first role or have been serving for many years, you’ll find people who understand the realities of ministry and a community committed to helping you belong, sustain and grow.
Annual membership is £360, with funding partnerships and subsidised places available.