‘By their fruit you will recognise them… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit’ Matthew 7 v 16-18

My Role is to help those working with Children and Young People to… …Bear Good fruit

Equipping Supporting Nurturing Training Encouraging Advising

Fostering supportive opportunities for encouragement and nurturing Through… The lay worker’s support group Get Connected Hubs Training days Conferences

empowering churches, youth and children’s workers with: Advice and Guidance Online Resources Blogs Space to pray and reflect As well as opportunities for young people from across London to gather together

My first question is always: How can I help…? How can I help your youth and children’s workers and volunteers? How can I help your churches with youth and children’s work?

Providing 3 levels of training opportunities for youth and children's workers and volunteers : Level 1= The ‘Core Skills’ that every youth and children’s worker should know?

Covering such topics as: Child development How own values impact on work Common issues affecting children and young people Relationships Planning Awareness of policies and procedures Working as a team All underpinned with Theology

Level 2: delving ‘deeper’ into youth & children's work: Challenging behaviour Empowerment Transitions from childhood to adulthood Reflection Nurture Justice Young leaders

Level 3: accredited training programmes: Providing youth and children’s workers with the opportunity to gain a level 3 accredited qualification in either youth or children’s work. One - two years training programmes, combining face to face training days with online/distance learning elements.

Bespoke training:  The Misconceptions of Youth Work: Debunking the Myths  Film and Theology: How to use films as modern day parables to reach and teach young people  The Theology of Youth & Children’s Work  Survival Skills / Bush Craft: The Gospel according to the Born Survivor  Discipleship  Worship  Social action  World / Cultural awareness  Biblical Knowledge: A new theological spin  Sharing good practice  Participation – Voice Activated  Bible Explorer – a visual way of teaching the Bible in Junior Church and Sunday School, as well as in primary Schools  The Language we use: How language in churches can create barriers for people and how to overcome them  Getting and keeping Volunteers  Leadership programme for young people

You know your circuits: Send me the people involved in youth and children’s work Book them on the training Give them my details and get them to contact me. I’d love to meet with them and with your churches

Thank You Brian Smith Youth & Children’s Coordinator London District of the Methodist Church