Formation across the Generations 

Over the last few months the YCW has been undertaking an ambitious programme of formation, offering training courses to priest chaplains and adult companions up and down the country.

"Building a School without Walls" is a four session course, running over a month, for priests, religious and lay adults who gather together for quality input, a chance for reflection, discussion and sharing, and to go away equipped to accompany young people.

Beginning with young people's reality, the course leads participants through the differences in the generations and helps adults to identify in what ways young people are experts of their own lives. After exploring the whole concept of adolescence and emerging adulthood, foundations are laid, offering guiding principles for accompanying our groups.

We take the remainder of the course to explore the vision which YCW has for young people – taking their active part in the transformation of the world – with an opportunity to really discover some of the tools which work.

In total 96 participants, including many priests and Religious, have taken part in the six courses held in Manchester, Cardiff, London, Hull and Middlesbrough. The feedback has been positive, with participants appreciating the chance to explore the major themes in young people's lives.

One woman said "I've been reminded that things are different to when I was young. This generation is a world apart from young people a few decades ago. I'm going to take back the tools of YCW and see how we can use them in our parish."

If you would like to host the course please contact the YCW office. You will need to guarantee a minimum number of participants, working across your Diocese or with other parishes, but we assure you it will be worth the effort.