YCW Group Meets at Trafford Park HQ

The regular meeting of the YCW Trafford Park HQ Group met last week to continue their ongoing discussions around the National Campaign, "MIND! The Gap".

Having previously used the Mental Health resource to more broadly cover the general issue around it, the Group delved more deeply into the topic of relationships and their impact on the mental health of young people.

To begin with, the values of good and bad relationships were talked about including the link between this and mental health. For many young people, there is increased pressure on them from a variety of sources and if this is not dealt with openly it can lead to a negative spiral.

Added to this, the Group discussed some of the difficulties that many young people face to financially sustain relationships and friendships. Often the cost of socialising means there is huge pressure to spend too much money and potentially fall into debt. This too was raised as an issue that could negatively affect someone's mental health.

YCW Attends "Working for a Better Future" Conference

The YCW attended an event this week held by Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) and the Centre for Catholic Social Thought and Practice to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Trade Union Congress.

The meeting was to gain insights from Catholic Social Teaching into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with issues of automation, Brexit, workers’ rights, discrimination and the gig economy being discussed.

The Conference posed the question: How do we face the threats and opportunities presented by this new world, so that no one is left behind and all are respected and valued?

With the world of work changing so substantially over the last 20 years, innovative solutions are needed to protect the interests of workers. The principles behind this will be incredibly important and Catholic Social Teaching represents an opportunity to influence this.

The organisers of the event spoke about the nature of work, saying: "Workers have an inalienable right to human dignity and their labour cannot be reduced to a commodity. Work is both an obligation and a right, for it is a means of human fulfilment by which a person may become "more a human being".

The event hosted several high profile speakers: 

Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the NEU, 2017 President of the TUC

Bishop William Kenney, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Birmingham

Rob Flello, Political consultant, former Labour MP and shadow Justice Minister

and held panel discussions with:

Dr Anna Rowlands, Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice, Clifford Longley, author, broadcaster and journalist

Kevin Flanagan, National President GMB Commercial Services Section

In terms of Catholic Social Teaching, the theme of work has been very prominent since Rerum Novarum. Perhaps the fullest discussion of human work is in St Pope John Paul II's encyclical Laborem Exercens (1981), saying: "human work is a key, probably the essential key, to the whole social question."

Marc Besford, YCW Training and Development Worker, who attended the Conference said: "It was an enlightening day, with lots of useful and insightful comments on the challenges many young people face around work. It was great to be able to share some of the experiences of our young members with the panel."

Feast Of Saint Joseph The Worker And International Workers' Day 2018

Today marks the joint celebration of the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker and International Workers' Day.

It is a chance to acknowledge the role of workers in our world and renew our commitment to ensuring there is dignity in work.

In 1955, Pope Pius XII also established the day as the Feast of St Joseph the Worker in order to reflect Joseph's status as a model for and patron of workers. The Church highlights, especially, Joseph's patience, persistence, courage, and hard work.

In the words of St Pope John Paul II: “Saint Joseph is a man of great spirit. He is great in faith, not because he speaks his own words, but above all because he listens to the words of the Living God. He listens in silence. And his heart ceaselessly perseveres in the readiness to accept the Truth contained in the word of the Living God.”

We ask that you keep workers in your prayers and continue your support of our mission to young workers in particular. 

79th National Council of the YCW in England and Wales

The YCW held its 79th National Council on 28th April 2018, at St Monica's RC Church in Flixton, Manchester.

The National Council draws together members, companions and national leaders from across the country to provide training, plan for the future, as well as the official aspects of the Council itself - approving the accounts and resolutions put before the members.

This council elected two new posts, National Secretary and National Treasurer. Ben Sinclair from Billingham YCW was elected Secretary and Sean Smith as National Treasurer.

Ben commented on his election to the position, saying: “I am really pleased to be joining the National Team and look forward to getting started. Since we have a growing number of groups and companions across England and Wales we are planning on boosting our communication efforts, which is really exciting.”

The day itself consisted of the formal Council in the morning and then in the afternoon IMPACT members joined the event for training around our current campaign on young people and mental health called “MIND! The Gap”.

The group then celebrated Mass together along with the parishioners of St Monica’s and contributed to the Mass with music, prayers and a drama on the Gospel of the day. Mass concluded with each member renewing their promise of devotion to serve, educate and represent young people; live out and spread the ideals of the YCW; play an active part in the YCW and say the YCW prayer daily.

National President Kate Wilkinson said: "It was fantastic to see so many of our members and adult companions there as we look to the future of our movement.

Can I also just say a big thank you to Becca Henderson who served as part of our National Team for many years. Becca is a tremendous asset to our movement and we know that even though she's left the National Team, her prayers and best wishes will continue to support us all.”

Will You Be Voting On May 3rd?

The YCW believes it is vitally important for the voice of young people to be heard in public life. It is why we are proud to put young people at the heart of our movement.

With local elections coming up in many parts of England and Wales on May 3rd, we believe that the politicians and their parties should do their utmost to engage with young people, listen to their concerns and priorities and then show, through their actions, a willingness to respond.

But this also means young people taking the responsibility to get involved too.

We would encourage all young people to not only vote, but look into the various candidates, parties and policies on offer, as well as challenge candidates on what they have done and can do for young people.

Pope Francis puts it simply: "A good Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of themselves." Let's make sure we fulfil our calling to engage fully in public life and use our votes on May 3rd.

79th National Council To Be Held on 28th April

The YCW will be holding our 79th National Council on 28th April 2018, at St Monica's RC Church in Flixton, Manchester.

The National Council draws together members, companions and national leaders from across the country to provide training, plan for the future, as well as the official aspects of the Council itself - approving the accounts and resolutions put before the members.

The day itself will consist of the formal Council (YCW members only) from 10am-2pm (lunch included), training (YCW and IMPACT! members) in the afternoon incorporating the results from the SEE stage of our National Campaign, Mind! the Gap.

Mass will follow the training at 5:30pm and bring our day to a close. 

Formal dress is encouraged for the National Council and you must be registered as a member to vote. YCW individual membership is £15 (£5 for the unwaged) for the year. 

Once attendance has been confirmed emails will be sent containing requests for nominations, resolutions and recommendations.

National President Kate Wilkinson said: "National Council is one of the most important dates in our YCW calendar. It is where young people show their leadership skills, step up and take responsibility but also share their thoughts, ideas and enthusiasm with others. I hope to see as many of our members and adult companions there as we look to build upon our National Campaign on mental health and young people."

Full details: St Monica's RC Church, Woodsend Rd South, Flixton, Manchester, M41 6QB - 10am-5:30pm