A thriving Christian Union group at the Henry Box School is one of the successes of the Witney Youth Work and Chaplaincy project.
Based at St Mary’s church and funded by the Development Fund, Laverne Williams has been hard at work connecting with under 18’s in the town.
“The whole project is going really well,” says Laverne who’s been with the project since it started in 2021.
The work within the schools in the area is Laverne's greatest success.
The Christian Union at Henry Box is pupil-led. It started in January and now up to 25 pupils attend. "The pupils lead with such passion that I now only need to bring the biscuits,” she says. “It has been a great way for pupils to share their faith, ask questions. It is open to people from both faith or no faith backgrounds, but who just want to share and or find out more. It is also a safe space for those just looking for a community of friendly young people.”
A Global Majority Heritage group sees pupils from Afro-Caribbean, African and Asian heritage, supported to build self-esteem, positive relationships, and create positivity around their cultural identity.
Across a number of local primary schools, Laverne has been conducting Collective Worship and is currently focussing on one or two schools where she supports further, including focussed Chaplaincy time and break time support.
Laverne also works with the Be Space team, where she helps to facilitate week-long events in schools where pupils can experience prayer and reflection in creative ways. “It’s an amazing programme. We transform an area, usually a hall or a classroom using a variety of methods including gazeboes and fairy lights. The space gives pupils of faith and no-faith the space to explore different ways to pray, spend time with God and or reflect.”
There are a variety of activities. One of Laverne’s favourites is ‘fizzy forgiveness’. “We put Vitamin C tablets in glass tubes, as it fizzes out, it illustrates perfect God’s forgiveness and how our sins are forgiven and remembered no more.”
Some of Laverne’s work includes sign posting families to local churches. She’s also aware of the power of word of mouth. “It’s so important that young people invite their friends to attend services, and or events at the church. ‘It’s non-threatening when the invitation comes from a peer. My friend’s invited me. I can go along. It’s approachable.”
Looking ahead Laverne’s working with a group of asylum seekers and their families, hosted in a local hotel.
"There are up to 60 children at any one time, a community from both Christian and Muslim backgrounds. The aim is to set up a children and youth programme (youth club to include positive mental health, homework and sports club activities and also a summer scheme) there with the hopes of the community (with training and support) then feeling confident to run the provision themselves. Volunteers are always needed!"