For Young People The world has been turned upside down, our normal way of life has changed beyond all recognition and we now spend an increased amount of time in the same 4 walls. Maybe you have access to a garden; maybe you’re enjoying the extra time spent on video games, playing guitar or another hobby; maybe you’re still attending school because of the role your parents play; maybe someone close to you has suffered with Covid-19; maybe you are getting fed up of not being able to see people you would normally enjoy hanging out with. There will be a whole heap of emotions that we feel, and situations that we encounter that we haven’t experienced before, and probably that others haven’t experienced too. In this time of lockdown there are many people out there willing to help you, and resources for you to use in helping yourself. In this season of lockdown, and even as we start to go back to a form of normality, we are in control much more of the media we see and hear. No longer are we subject to our friends music or opinions in the same way, we also have less input from teachers and other adults. In this time choose positivity. Change your news feed settings on social media so that you see things that make you happy; use a music streaming playlist to change your mood; and engage with things that bring you joy, even if that is Marie Kondo folding clothes! For a daily dose of inspiration and relevant and practical Bible Teaching check out the Soul Survivor YouTube Channel (Link to www.youtube.com/soulsurvivoruk) where Mike Pilavachi and Andy Croft share a 5-10minute podcast- it's called Take Heart, and it’s a really good! Kooth (link to www.kooth.com) is a great website full of support from peers and professionals to make sure you are ok in this lockdown season. Once you have signed up there are opportunities to read and write short stories about how you are, there are message boards on loads of topics and also people to talk to if you need some support in anything, big or small. Young Minds (link to www.youngminds.org.uk) is another site packed full of ideas to help us look after ourselves. For Children’s and Youth Ministers Your role at this time may have changed, it may feel quite disorientating trying to work out how to minister to and disciple the children and young people you work with from a distance but you have a vital role to play in supporting families at this time. If at all possible stay connected with the families you normally engage with week by week. It doesn’t matter whether this is by social media, telephone, email, or by sharing activity ideas; they will really come to value the way you have continued to support them throughout this. Please signpost families to the section below For Families where there are lots of resources available, and please do send us any you have found particularly helpful so we can encourage others to use them. Video conferencing has become part of the new normal and Children and Young People can be a part of it too, why not try a catch up with your regular group one weekday afternoon with them all logging in. You might need to explain how the mute button works, but once they know they seem better at using it than adults! It is important that any Church Activity regardless of whether it is now taking place in person or online is properly Risk Assessed and for children you have their (and their parents, where age defines it) permission to both contact them and include them in any group communications. Please see below some example Risk Assessments and consent forms for using video conferencing. They have been written by Louisa Ley our Youth Hub leader, but have been de-personalised so with a small amount of editing they should be relevant to any setting.
For churches who use the lectionary readings, you can find wonderfully created resources on Facebook here If you would like any advice or support please do get in touch with Kira Hedley Smith- details on the CYP Team page. For Families Supporting Health and Wellbeing Talk to your children
Try out some of these ideas to help your family thrive through the lockdown
Supporting Faith One of the primary places Children grow in their faith is the home and for the time being it will be the main place they do so. Children’s faith journeys can be supported by the adults in the household, and often our own faith journey can be strengthened too.
If you want to read more about Growing Faith at home The Youth and Children’s Work Magazine is a great place to start. Every month they include a section on Faith at home and you can sign up for free to read it- www.youthandchildrens.work Below are some ideas for growing in faith at home, you don’t have to try and make it like Sunday Church, but have a go and let us know what is working for you and your family
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