Development worker (Schools) based in Kent
My role within Scripture Union is to inspire, encourage and envision churches, organizations and individuals to reach out with God’s love and passion to young people and children. This is primarily in the context of schools but not exclusively. Schools can be great places for young people to grow and develop but for some young people they can create stress and difficulties. It can be a particularly difficult place for Christian young people to be in. Therefore there are many young people needing support and help. My vision is to see every church feel able, committed and envisioned to reach out in whatever way it can, starting from where it is. There are lots of different ways of doing this and I aim to share with people the many different pieces of good practice that others are doing as well as models of work gained through my own experience.
Here are just some of the projects I can help with:
- Setting up a project e.g. after school club, lunch time club, running Governor Support evenings, sixth form conferences, holiday clubs, etc
- Training in schools work in ‘Bitesize’
- Inspire and set up our SU projects: Lifepath, Its Your Move, (please see information under these headings on our website)
- Setting up schools worker and youth worker support networks
Working as a team in the South East we can draw on greater resources of experience, gifting and passions to help you in your task. We are here to offer ideas, support, encouragement and training. Please see my colleagues’ pages to see the range in what we can offer.
It was back in 1996 that God first kindled a passion in me to work with young people. Initially this involved voluntary work in my local church helping with 'Landing Club' for 11-14s. For me though it was a launch pad, rather than a landing, because I sensed a call to do this work full time and to become equipped for it. I took a diploma in youth ministry with Oasis in London, which led to a full-time youth work job with a church in Sheffield. After four years I moved to Kent to be a youth worker with a 'Churches Together' project, with an office base in a school.
So, knowing me well, God introduced me very gradually to schools work. Initially I helped out at a lunchtime club and prayed with local Christians, and eventually found myself running clubs, leading assemblies and organising 'It's Your Move!' events for pupils moving from primary to secondary school. This led me to join Scripture Union in September 2007 as a schools staff worker based in Kent.
My vision is to see all young people in schools in Kent reached with the gospel. As a Development Worker, I offer support, encouragement and guidance to Christian schools workers, volunteers, teachers and students across Kent and network with other schools work organisations. I also offer support to the SU associates in Sussex and work with others as part of the SU South-East team.
For more information or to get Lisa's latest newsletter by email, please contact her.