Development Focus England

Wednesday 12th February 2014

As The Boys’ Brigade continues to try new ways of working, John Myers, Development Worker in Leeds Battalion, shares what he’s been up to over the last few months.

Following months of discussions, ideas and prayer, the 1st Wetherby Company commenced at Wetherby Young Offender Institute on Monday 16^th September. The new Company, developed in partnership between Leeds Battalion and the prison’s Chaplaincy Unit, will work with young people aged between 16 and 18 who may be deemed as vulnerable or hard to reach. The vision for the Company was conceived because there was a growing concern about the risk of young men leaving the institute and re-offending within a short period of time, and the Army Cadets (which meet at the Institute) is constantly over-subscribed.

Our weekly activities have included debates and discussions on various subjects, fun activities and games, and a world record attempt at stretching the longest Curly Wurly!! We have recently been looking at the subject of ethics and values and whilst this has proved quite a challenging subject for some of our participants, they have said that they have enjoyed the discussions and debates. We are also looking at the opportunity of integrating The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award into our BB programme.

Over the last couple of months we have had lots of fun, and on occasions, difficult challenges. Most of all though, we have been able to develop friendship.

Find out more about development work england.boys-brigade.org.uk/youthuniteddev.htm