A day in the Life… the Youth Team

Adam Prior and Becky Wood make up the permanent youth work team in the parish. So what does a youth worker actually do?

"Our job is to encourage and reach out to both Christian and non-Christian young people in Ashtead," replies Adam. "That leaves us plenty of freedom!"

They choose to begin each day by praying together, as an expression of their team approach. "We believe God answers prayer, it's one of our core values," says Becky.

Then, with most teenagers in school, the focus is on preparations for Soul Survivor. This is a national 5-day Christian festival incorporating everything from skateboarding to prayer. Every summer, around 50 young people from the parish attend, making it the biggest trip of the year. An exodus on this scale doesn't happen without a lot of planning.

At lunchtime, they are both off to Therfield School. Becky co-leads a lunchtime discussion group on life issues, while Adam engages the more actively-minded in a serious Frisbee session. Neither activity is specifically Christian, but that is not the point. "It's a great opportunity to meet young people where they are and have fun together. We are not here exclusively for Christians," says Becky.
Photo of Adam Prior
Photo of Becky Wood
In the early afternoon Adam's formal youth work qualification and local authority experience are put to good use in the office. "We have to address Child Protection issues seriously," he insists. "That means administration and training development for voluntary leaders to ensure that we run a safe and professional youth organisation."

Later, they are both involved with the Friday café, which runs after school in St George's Centre. "It's somewhere to chill out at the end of a long week, with all the usual youth club stuff on hand," summarises Adam.

The evening often means yet more activities, such as football, Frisbee or, most importantly, housegroups. "There is so much pressure on young people to match up to the expectations of peers and adults," sympathises Becky. "It covers everything from dress to exam success. In a small group with some trusted friends they can drop their masks, getting real about who they are, and who God is."

However, this evening there is a rare chance for Becky and Adam to rest, relax and reflect on their roles.

Becky sums it up. "I love investing in young people, and seeing them grow up into people who are going to make a difference in this world. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else."

Adam echoes this. "God really changes lives. I've known young people who were labelled 'losers' and 'no-hopers'. They have come to a real sense of selfworth through meeting God, and then gone on to help others. Also," he smiles, "I get to play Frisbee and football for a living!"

next/forwardGo to last article - Festival Diary
See also the ashtead at Christmas 2002 magazine article Looking out from Ashtead
See also Adam Prior's page
See also Beck Wood's page
See also Soul Survivor
See also Therfield School
See also Links to local schools, colleges and universities
previous/backBack to ashtead at Harvest 2002 front page

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