Trainee Youth & Families Worker

Being part of God’s work in growing His kingdom has always been an essential purpose behind who we are and what we do at All Saints’. We intend that this role will support this purpose in three aspects.

• To provide additional support for our Children and Families Minister and her teams of volunteers, and the opportunity to explore new areas of youth and families ministry.
• To give the opportunity for the trainee to explore their calling and develop their own gifts and abilities in a supportive and realistic situation.
• To provide a foundation for the trainee on which to build experience to become a valuable resource for God’s kingdom in years to come

The trainee will work as a full-time member of our staff team, under the supervision of our Children and Families Minister and in partnership with our volunteers, to use whatever existing or new opportunities God opens up to evangelise young people and families, and to teach them faithfully from God’s word.

We want our trainee to be a role-model, and by a growing commitment to the centrality of God’s word in their own life, to demonstrate the blessings of a Christian life lived well in today’s society.

We want our trainee to look for, and develop, new opportunities to serve our local youth and families, including those in church, those on the fringe of church and those not yet in church, that God might, through us, enable the fulfilment of our mission, ”To see lives transformed by Christ.”

We want our trainee to be involved and to gain experience of all aspects of church life, not just youth work and not just on Sundays, thereby encouraging and being encouraged by the whole body of Christ sharing in prayer, teaching and discipling of young believers.

The role will extend beyond the church walls into the local community, sports and social clubs, schools and Sidmouth College, wherever there are opportunities to serve the community and in doing so build relationships where the gospel can be introduced.

We recognise that this is a 'learning role' and our trainee will become an integral member of our team. We expect our staff and volunteers to invest some of their time and expertise in helping, supporting and encouraging our trainee.

Our trainee will be a committed, practising Christian who is passionate about serving Jesus and the local church, and who can provide evidence of loving service in other contexts. The trainee will be introduced to orthodox Anglican beliefs and asked to confirm their agreement to uphold them.

A commitment to grow in the application of God’s word in their own life, alongside a love for the lost, and a desire to learn how to share the gospel with others.

Someone who is willing to learn how to come alongside people and how to communicate appropriately and  effectively.

To be willing to learn how to organise their own time effectively, to  assess priorities and make decisions in a timely manner, whilst learning to recognise their responsibilities towards other staff and volunteers.

To be willing to learn about safeguarding and the importance of  promoting and protecting the safety and welfare of children and young people.

Willing to learn the appropriate use of social media and other means of communicating effectively with young people.

Some previous experience as a volunteer in a church or Christian charity context.

To be agreed with the trainee prior to taking up the position

We will make sure that our trainee has the required amount of study time and time to attend and participate fully in the SWYM events, for example Conference Teaching weeks.

We will arrange the timetable around personal/family commitments and ensure appropriate amounts of free time. We will ensure that a regular full day each week is set aside for rest & recreation.

The working week will depend on the trainee's particular interests and abilities and where they feel their gifts can be best developed and used. This work pattern may change over time as opportunities develop.

A typical week may look something like this:

Monday am Study Time, pm Cluster in Exeter

Tuesday am Parents & Toddlers, pm Primary School Assemblies

Wednesday am School Assemblies, Staff Meeting, pm YP after school

Thursday am Parents & Toddlers, pm free time,

Friday am Staff Prayers, Line Manager Meet & Plan, pm Youth groups

Saturday Free time pm Youth events

Sunday am Church service, pm Youth Groups