This year our Children & Youth Work Apprentices have been busy working in their parishes across London, bringing energy, creativity, and heart to their churches.
Our Apprentices are all employed by the Diocese on a 3 year programme and placed in parishes across London. Apprentices work in their parishes running children & youth ministry whilst also studying for a Certificate in Higher Education in Theology, Ministry & Mission with Ridley Hall. Whether it’s leading Sunday Schools, running youth clubs, or planning worship nights, they’ve been making a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and families.
Apprentices have been building relationships and finding their feet in their local contexts. They’re not just supporting ministry—they’re leading it. Across the diocese, they’re co-leading or fully running activities like All-Age Services, After School Clubs, Youth Clubs, Messy Church, Toddler Groups, School Assemblies, Confirmation and First Communion classes, Youth Alpha, Bible Study Group and a Forest Church. That’s a lot of tea, biscuits, and meaningful conversations!
This year, apprentices have launched new initiatives including a youth-led service, holiday study spaces, youth football sessions and worship bands. They’ve also been instrumental in organising and leading four youth worship nights, collaborating with other churches to create spaces where young people can encounter God and each other in powerful ways.
One standout story is an Apprentice who secured funding through The Spark Fund and took six young people to the New Wine Festival over the summer. It was a chance for young people to experience Christian community on a bigger scale, deepen their faith, and have a lot of fun along the way.
Leadership development is at the heart of the programme, and apprentices have been mentoring young leaders and helping to safely recruit volunteers to support children and youth ministry. It’s all about building sustainable, thriving ministry that lasts beyond the apprenticeship.
We’ve also seen young people themselves stepping up to lead and dream big. Thanks to The Spark Fund, other youth-led projects have received grants this year with support from Apprentices. One Apprentice secured £2,500 from The Spark Fund to host a youth Fun Day in October—an outreach event designed to welcome local youth and share the Christian story. They also received a £500 mini grant and created leaflets explaining faith, which they handed out with invites to the event.
In Willesden, Apprentices teamed up with local churches to launch One West, a termly youth worship event that’s already drawing 30–60 young people each time. These nights are becoming key moments for young people to connect, worship, and grow together.
The Diocese of London Children & Youth Apprentice Programme is more than just training – it’s a movement of young leaders shaping the future of the Church, and we couldn’t be more excited about what’s next!