Monkey business in Gloucestershire
Hi I am Esther the Benefice youth worker for Chipping Norton, Kingham, Churchill and surrounding villages. I have been in the post for over a year now since moving from South East London in 2008.
Over the past year with support from parents, vicars, and villages I have mananged to run three youth groups.
Hot Chocolate- for school years 7-9 This group runs every other Friday@ Churchill Church from 6:30pm-8pm. We play games and do bible stuff as well as eat lots of chocolate [if a parent is reading this I mean fruit] and we do love our hot chocolates [again I mean water] Last year we enjoyed two residentials- one to the New Forest where we took part in raft building, high ropes, night walks and lots more cool stuff. We also had a survival few days @ I'm a christian get me out of here' in a forest in Gloucestershire. The young people were not allowed any electrical stuff, mobiles, ipods, and only 3 sets of clothes...it was challenging but great fun!!
Zion-for school/college years 10-12 this groups runs on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th sunday at 137 Cornish road and is a very relaxed setting with games, bible study and drinks/snacks. The group is gradually expanding but we would love to see more youth coming to this group.
This year we had trips to- Clothes show live, Alton Towers, London Hillsong, Oxford worship central...
Salford Youth group- we run from 8 years old- 16 years at Salford village Hall every Thursday night from 5:45pm-7:15pm. This group has had a really fun year with activities running every Thursday- indoor cricket, table tennis, cooking, table tennis, art, outdoor games, etc. This year the young people managed to raise enough money for their own Hoodies!! which they now all wear on the night which is great!!
I meet with young people on a one-2one level which I really enjoy, I use the training and skills I have gained through the 10 years of youth work experience I have to build positive relationships with young people. Some areas I have worked on have included- anger management, self-esteem building, relationship advice in a christian context and lots more. If you would like to meet me for this kind of support or would like to refer a youth you know please get in contact.
I also run confirmation classes for young people who are interested in finding out more about what is means to be a Christian, we work through a 6 week programme where the young person will get an opportunity to find out more about Jesus.
If you are interested in finding out about any of the above groups I run please give me call or drop me an email/facebook me.
Esther Bacon
01608 645744
esthertheyouthworker@live.co.uk
facebook: esther the youth worker