Youth Work in Schools
Hello! My name is Sioned (pronounced Shonned) and I am the youth pastor here at Bay Church. Outside of work, I love nothing more than a long walk in the sunshine on Dartmoor, a picnic and a drink at the pub. I was previously a geography teacher, so I like to point out different landforms, much to my husband’s yawns. I have the privilege of working full time at Bay. You probably know about what I do on Sundays, Wednesday Night Youth, youth weekends away etc. But a big part of my role is serving local schools, and I’d love to tell you a bit more about this, and how you can pray.
Every Tuesday I host a lunch club at Paignton Academy, along with Matt from LINX. It is called the Wonder Room; we fill a classroom with board games, lego and activities for year 7s and 8s. We also have two controversial statements on the screen, designed to get the young people talking. This week’s silly one was “Cereal is just a breakfast soup.” The serious one was “Evil is a human problem that only God can fix.”
Whether we have ‘serious’ conversations or not, The Wonder Room is a safe space where young people are warmly welcomed, and get to build positive relationships with each other and adults. This week a senior member of staff walked in and said “Wow, thanks for what you’re doing in here!” He seemed to be noticing that some trickier students were enjoying the space (fairly calmly!). Do pray that God provides more open doors for faith conversations here.
After the lunch club I mentor two year 11 girls, for half an hour each. This has been incredibly rewarding. Both girls have difficult home lives, resulting in them being ‘naughty’ at school. In reality, they are just anxious, misunderstood and lacking in adults who care. They are both wonderful girls and it is such a privilege to get to be a listening ear to them, and offer guidance and encouragement. I have been mentoring them both since last Easter. Every time I ask them whether they want to continue, they are adamant that they do! They say it’s the only place where they can talk to someone about what’s going on for them. Unfortunately, schools are too stretched to offer mentoring like this for many students, so being able to support schools in this way is really valuable. Do pray for these two girls, that they would encounter the Father’s love.
On Wednesdays I head to Cuthbert-Mayne school at lunchtime. Since Easter last year, I have been going to the sixth form common room every week. I do this with the wonderful chaplain there, Francesca. We grab cookies and drinks from the canteen, walk down to sixth form, and chat to students as we hand them out. Up until recently, I have simply been building relationships with the students here. I now know over 50% of them by name, and when they see me, they expect cookies and games! Some have even referred to me as ‘cookie lady’ – not the worst name I’ve been called! Part of my mission here is to get young people off their phones, and engaging in games like UNO or connect four (they particularly love this!) Games always get them smiling, laughing and connecting.
Since last autumn, I’ve been visiting different tutor groups during their 15 minute ‘Collective Worship’ (they are a faith school) and delivering a short talk to each group. This is a highlight of my week. I love being able to share openly about what following Jesus looks like, or talk about a parable, or challenge them to be curious about faith. A couple of weeks ago, a girl (N) came up to me after one of these talks, she said “I’m an atheist but please can you pray for my boyfriend’s dad who has just had a stroke.” Students like N are beginning to open up like this, and ask questions too.
Just last week, I began an ‘Explore Faith’ group for students to come and open the Bible together, read a passage, discuss and ask questions during lunch. As I was inviting students along, I was met with a lot of blank stares and stony silence. I wasn’t sure if anyone would come! In the end four students came, three of whom would consider themselves Christians, and one ‘atheist’ (N, who asked for prayer before). We had a great time together, and they asked to stay for longer to keep talking. Do pray for this group, and particularly for N, that her questions would lead her to Jesus.
If you’d like to stay in the loop with half-termly updates about what I’m doing in schools and how you can pray, then send me an email on sioned@bay.church and make your subject ‘Keep me in the loop.’