The BLMF Apprenticeship Scheme is one of the ways in which the Diocese of London is seeking to facilitate and grow youth work in London. It is building on the success of its first year with the recruitment of four new Youth and Children’s work apprentices: Beth, Polly, Isaac and Moses, who were welcomed at an induction day recently.
Despite the fact that they’ve only recently started on the scheme, the new apprentices have been busy establishing themselves on their parish placements. Beth has been helping to lead Youth Alpha and Dance workshops in secondary schools. Isaac organised a Space themed Light Party as an alternative to Halloween. Moses ran a photography workshop for young people over half term and Polly has been leading youth sessions on the Strawberry Vale Estate, as well as starting football outreach.
The induction was a great opportunity for the Willesden apprentices Nikkita, Richard, Samuel and Steven to share their experiences with those starting out on the scheme this year. Looking back, they can see that their work has resulted in young people coming to church and discovering faith and they’re looking forward to what the second year will hold for them.
Judith Skinner, Head of FE programmes at YMCA George Williams College said that the scheme is ground- breaking in the light of the many public funding cuts to youth services. She is delighted that all the Willesden apprentices were awarded Merits for the Level 3 Diploma in Youth work.
Sam Donoghue, Head of Children’s and Youth Ministry support, spoke at the induction about how the scheme is deliberately generous in giving apprentices three years to develop and grow their ministry to young people. He encouraged them to engage with young people with the intention of directing them towards Jesus.
The BLMF Apprenticeship Scheme is building a system to recruit, equip, support and establish people from London as paid Youth and Children’s workers. It does this by investing in those who have a genuine heart for youth work; providing them with an opportunity to gain experience and training on a parish placement.
