Youth
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An event for young people aged 11-16 in Birmingham The next Fulfil is on Friday 16th March 2012
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in partnership with
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Football coaching project for boys Years 4-9 (from Lee Bank, Attwood Green, Harborne, Balsall Heath & Edgbaston areas) Includes Bible input Begins again in April 2012
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All of the Youth Team members and volunteers are CRB cleared and can provide documentation if requested. Schools We currently have involvement in around a dozen Birmingham & Solihull secondary schools. As well as providing advice to schools on Christian-related matters, we provide assemblies, lessons & after-school clubs.
Birmingham City Mission seeks to make a positive contribution to schools, serving the students in various ways and working to help meet their needs. We aim to provide enriching, stimulating input from a Christian perspective that meets the educational, moral and spiritual needs of young people. Our material is inclusive and appropriate for, and relevant to, students from all faiths and backgrounds. Integral aspects of our work are both the presentation of Christian beliefs (in line with government guidance) and the social work of BCM with the aim of educating and informing young people.
Acts of Collective Worship (Assemblies) We take Acts of Collective Worship (adhering to the ‘Principles of Inspiring Collective Worship’ as outlined by the Birmingham SACRE ) at several schools on topics such as The Christmas Story, Easter, Harvest, the work of BCM, Identity, Trust, Friendship, Choices, Fear, Money, Prejudice, Forgiveness
Lessons We offer RE, Citizenship and PSHE lessons to schools on themes relating to Christian values. We predominantly teach RE lessons to all secondary year groups according to local Syllabus’ for Religious Studies. We present engaging lessons on topics (for ages 11 to16) such as God, The Trinity, the Bible, Christian Beliefs, The Bible’, ‘Good & Evil’, The Person of Jesus, The Death and Resurrection of Jesus, Prayer, Worship, the Human Conscience and Community Cohesion. It is an honour to be asked to present the Christian message through both lessons and assemblies.
See below some feedback from teachers with regard to our lessons:
‘I liked your positive and up-beat approach… Students benefited from being able to ask questions about personal experience and belief.’ (a Birmingham teacher after a BCM year 11 lesson)
‘Just to tell you how much the students enjoyed your lesson this week. It was very useful for them and covered the whole topic which was fantastic... Thank you for taking the time to come and speak to our students.’ (a Birmingham teacher after a BCM year 10 lesson).
‘Sending my greatest thanks to you for two fantastic lessons and your organised and insightful deliveries. It has been very much appreciated by myself, the teachers and most importantly the students themselves. I have had some very positive reviews about the lessons, so thank you! (a Solihull Head of Humanities after BCM lessons on ‘The Problem of and Response to Pain’).
‘Thank you for your service. It is a valuable job and it’s just nice to have something different now and again!’ (a Birmingham R.E teacher).
After-school clubs We support two weekly after-school clubs and provide regular input at another. We lead students in clear, accessible Bible teaching, discuss various issues, pray together and generally encourage young people in their daily lives. Attendees comprise of children from all faiths and no faith. They are keen to come and learn about the Bible and the stories of Jesus (and discuss Bible stories of Jesus / about Christian beliefs) as we discuss various topics and have fun together.
See below some thoughts from attendees of one particular after-school club:
‘J. Platt from the BCM comes to discuss not only passages from the Bible but answers our questions on life. For example, we have looked at why there is suffering in the world if God exists? There is also an opportunity for you to say a prayer if you want to.’ (3 year 7 girls)
‘I didn’t (at first) want to go because I thought it would be boring. However, I found the Christian club very fun & interesting and.. my questions were answered.’(year 7 girl)
‘The first time I was really scared and nervous, I thought John might ask me loads of difficult questions (!!) but it turned out to be really nice and I will definately be going every Thursday.’ (a year 7 girl)
Transition Programme This programme provides advice to schools on faith-related matters and fulfilling the requirements of the syllabus and expectations for Acts of Collective Worship.
Youth Events, Projects & Residentials BCM’s youth team run the following youth events and projects, the aim of which is to engage with and provide constructive, stimulating activities for local young people, and, again, meeting their social, educational and spiritual needs. All of these activities are run according to a Christian ethos and all young people of whatever background or faith tradition are welcome to our events.
Fulfil is a new termly outreach event geared toward local young people between the ages of 11 and 16. The dynamic event features live music and entertainment (through various guests, artists and performers), cafe, games, competitions, media and video. Past Fulfil’s have involved visits by bands, DJ’s, Rap-artists, Christian magician/illusionists/comedians and football freestyle artists.
There is also an opportunity to ‘dive a little deeper’ and explore faith-based issues with Christian beliefs being presented. With a good mix of the light side and the deeper, faith-based elements, this event is a great night out for young people. It is open to young people from all backgrounds and faiths.
For a photo gallery of the last Fulfil event, click here. For information on future Fulfil events click here.
Onside Onside is a football coaching project run weekly during the summer term in Attwood Green by BCM in partnership with Faith and Football) to local children and young people, some of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Onside is provides a blend of football coaching (led by F.A qualified coaches) alongside a consideration of relevant life values, values taken from the Bible and that are relevant to the football field and life as a whole. We seek to encourage children to be both ‘Onside’ on the football field and ‘Onside’ for life.
Residentials currently take the form of BCM’s annual summer youth ‘camp’. The camp is usually held at a various outdoor activity centres near the coast. The aim of the residential is to provide an enriching, stimulating educational experience for the young people who attend (from various churches and groups). Young people learn various life skills and disciplines as they engage in different challenges, gaining in confidence, discipline, teamwork and social skills. Alongside this, youngsters explore aspects of the Christian faith as they consider and discuss stories from the Bible and the relevance of such principles to their daily lives. This residential provides a good mix of the physical and the spiritual side.
Again, all of these events are open to children of all backgrounds and faiths. We respect young people and their family’s own traditions and beliefs.
Support for local youth groups and projects The youth team provide support, resourcing and networking opportunities for local youth groups and organisations. We aim to facilitate link-up between community and faith-based charities, youth groups and youth leaders. We visit groups (ranging from church groups, to youth clubs and Brigade Groups) to run sessions and provide varied input.
You can help If you are interested in supporting our work with young people please contact the BCM office.
Your generous support ensures that we are able to further develop and expand our work, meaning that more local young people are reached by our provision.
John Platt Youth Co-ordinator, Birmingham City Mission |
