St Luke’s and St Mark’s Downham are looking for a part-time Youth Worker (20 hours per week, including a commitment to Thursday after school, Sundays and other weekend working, some evening sessions, church festivals and school holidays) to develop our mission and ministry with youth on the Downham Estate. St Luke’s and St Mark’s are two of four churches which makes up the Church of England Parish of Catford and Downham, one of the poorest parishes in the UK (within the bottom 8%).

• Are you good at relating to young people, building a rapport with them and being a consistent presence?
• Are you able to meet young people where they are and be a listening and supportive person to them?
• Can you play a part in rebuilding our youth work after the pandemic?
• Do you want to be part of a diverse, supportive team with a shared commitment to the local community?
• Do you want a Youth Work role that doesn’t fit the usual mould?

Application Process:

To apply send a CV and covering letter setting out why you believe that you are suitable for this role to Jo Cannon at jo@canddparish.co.uk by midnight on Tuesday 28th February 2023.

Email or telephone conversations and informal visits to the Parish in advance would be encouraged.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to visit the parish and meet the congregation(s) and community; this will then be followed by a formal interview.

Background:
St Luke’s and St Mark’s Downham are looking for a Youth Worker to develop our mission and ministry with youth on the Downham Estate. St Luke’s and St Mark’s are two of four churches which makes up the Church of England Parish of Catford and Downham, one of the poorest parishes in the UK (within the top 8%).

St Luke’s is a small (average attendance of 25 adults and 8 children/youth) but active church with the building open 6 days a week for the community. Our flagship project is the Front Room Club, a community café for adults, particularly those who are socially isolated or have mental health needs, out of which our Parish Nurse and Front Room Team support the community, and we run sewing classes, seated exercise, quizzes, bingo, trips, etc. The Front Room also hosts 6-8 SEN student volunteers from one of the local secondary schools on a Friday. We partner with the youth work charity XLP, to run a detached youth work session on a Thursday afternoon in a nearby park.

St Mark’s has a small, formal morning service with an average attendance of 8-10 adults and 2/3 children/youth; a vibrant (and chaotic) Messy Church with an average attendance of 20 children and 15 adults. St Mark’s is also exploring establishing an informal Sunday afternoon service. The majority of St Mark’s community work is run by Pathways (a team of local families); who lead Messy Church as well as running several activities during the week.

Job description:

Main tasks:

• Undertaking a research project into the needs and aspirations of young people in Downham and how community projects can respond. Delivered in partnership with Pathways Lewisham and Partnership for Young London this research will generate further funding and youth projects on the estate. This is the top priority for the role.
• Detached youth work with XLP in the Shroffold Road park on Thursday between 3.30pm and 6pm. This is the other main priority for the role.
• Equipping and enabling volunteers and young people to shape and lead the projects where appropriate
• Develop and lead youth groups and activities for the community, such as Youth Film Club and Youth DIY Club
• Developing resources from our learning to share with other churches and organisations.
• Providing youth activities at church events when required
• Work with the Children and Youth Team to develop our relationships with local schools
• Identify other churches and community groups to partner with in order to develop youth work across the estate.
• Being part of our safeguarding leadership team
• Contributing to our social media and marketing

Person specification:

Essential:
• The ability to build meaningful relationships, without judgement, across a wide age range, responding sensitively to the diversity within our church family and wider community and to those who do not conform to middle class or religious values.
• Reliability and consistency and able to commit to the required working hours of the role, including after school and weekend sessions
• Demonstrates leadership qualities, be willing to lead by example and be committed to further training.
• Experience of working with young people and community groups in some capacity either voluntary, within community, family and/or within paid employment
• Able to ensure that the views of young people are central to service planning, delivery and evaluation
• Understanding of life in areas of urban social housing and other socially disadvantaged areas.
• Willing to serve practically and ‘get stuck in’ the mundane (for example, chairs will need moving and washing up will need doing and some sessions will be quieter than others!)
• Able to work within a church environment and sympathetic with the values of St Luke’s and St Mark’s

Desirable:
• Understanding of working with people with Special Educational Needs
• Understanding of ethnic diversity
• Able to communicate in a variety of ways, adapting to the audience
• Ability to write and deliver reports to the leadership team and funding bodies

Responsible to: Children, Youth and Family Ministry Leader, Team Vicar, Charity Director and DCC.
Place of Work: Downham
Hours of work: 20 hours – the role will require flexibility across the week, including a commitment to Thursdays after school, Sundays and other weekend working, some evening sessions, church festivals and school holidays.

Salary: £15,000 per annum (pro rata of £28,000) plus pension contribution and expenses.

Status: Funding for this role is secured for 1 year – we will work with the successful candidate to secure further funding. The role is subject to 3 months’ probation and an annual review.