Sandhurst Youth - Community and Church Youth Work
The young people of Sandhurst deserve the best possible start in life - one that will make them proud to have grown up in Sandhurst, and grateful to the town for offering the facilities and support to confidently approach adult life. We want "every young person equipped with a dream" as they grow up here.
In 2015 St Michael’s Church approached Sandhurst Town Council with a view to establishing, for the long term, an independent Youth Work provision for the town - a project duly agreed by both the church PCC and the Town Council Strategy and Policy Committee. The project has been titled "Sandhurst Youth".
The first phase of the project employed a Youth Worker, from April 2016 to August 2017, and confirmed the need for youth work in both school and detached settings as well as continuing to build on existing church work.
Phase 2 of the project started in March 2018 with the intent that by December 2018 Sandhurst Youth will be ready to transition to being an independent charity providing a strategic Youth Work resource for Sandhurst supported by the town, the church and others.
In 2015 St Michael’s Church approached Sandhurst Town Council with a view to establishing, for the long term, an independent Youth Work provision for the town - a project duly agreed by both the church PCC and the Town Council Strategy and Policy Committee. The project has been titled "Sandhurst Youth".
The first phase of the project employed a Youth Worker, from April 2016 to August 2017, and confirmed the need for youth work in both school and detached settings as well as continuing to build on existing church work.
Phase 2 of the project started in March 2018 with the intent that by December 2018 Sandhurst Youth will be ready to transition to being an independent charity providing a strategic Youth Work resource for Sandhurst supported by the town, the church and others.
Our Vision And Plans
There are many different organisations which interact with the young people of the area; each has its unique qualities, capabilities and focus. Sandhurst Youth vision is that all these work together to offer every young person in Sandhurst the best possible opportunity to grow and develop towards their "dream" for life.
The figure above illustrates areas of personal development (across the top), and generic stages or levels of development (left hand side). Some of the main types of organisations involved with young people are shown (coloured blocks) and the area of influence for Sandhurst Youth is purple shaded. The right hand column (spiritual) reflects the elements of work done in a church context, the remainder being the work with all the young people of the town.
The vision of Sandhurst Youth is not only to undertake certain activities in its own right, but also to work in partnership with all the different organisations and agencies with which young people interact so that collectively we are offering the greatest possible opportunity for young people, and that the young people recognise and are engaged with all that Sandhurst has to offer. This is captured in the phrase "A movement . . . not an organisation".
At its core Sandhurst Youth is about building relationships with the local young people to help them develop and fulfil their ambitions, and to give them confidence for life ahead. Being relational, it will take time and continuity both in terms of intent and personnel.
The vision of Sandhurst Youth is not only to undertake certain activities in its own right, but also to work in partnership with all the different organisations and agencies with which young people interact so that collectively we are offering the greatest possible opportunity for young people, and that the young people recognise and are engaged with all that Sandhurst has to offer. This is captured in the phrase "A movement . . . not an organisation".
At its core Sandhurst Youth is about building relationships with the local young people to help them develop and fulfil their ambitions, and to give them confidence for life ahead. Being relational, it will take time and continuity both in terms of intent and personnel.
Our Youth Worker
Our Youth Worker Mark Gower started in March 2018.
So, in his own words, who is Mike Gower?
‘Well what can I tell you about myself? To start with I have about 26 years of experience working with young people. This has ranged from youth clubs, schools, young offenders’ institutes, YMCA hostel, and street work. I have worked with local authorities, YMCA, prison chaplaincy, and Salvation Army. I have experienced working with young people who have had issues from homelessness, drugs, antisocial behaviour, gangs. I am a south Londoner and have moved from north to west London. I have lived on a narrow-boat. I have two older brothers. My dad passed away with leukaemia and my mum is in a care home in Maidenhead with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
‘So, with my experience and passion to see young people get the best provision. I am moving from Ashford in Kent to be your youth worker. I am game for a laugh and have done things such as dressing in drag and attempting to run around Windsor for charity. I am a Chelsea FC supporter as well as following cricket and rugby. I also enjoy fishing and a good curry. So, I look forward to the next adventure, being part of your community and congregation.’
‘Well what can I tell you about myself? To start with I have about 26 years of experience working with young people. This has ranged from youth clubs, schools, young offenders’ institutes, YMCA hostel, and street work. I have worked with local authorities, YMCA, prison chaplaincy, and Salvation Army. I have experienced working with young people who have had issues from homelessness, drugs, antisocial behaviour, gangs. I am a south Londoner and have moved from north to west London. I have lived on a narrow-boat. I have two older brothers. My dad passed away with leukaemia and my mum is in a care home in Maidenhead with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
‘So, with my experience and passion to see young people get the best provision. I am moving from Ashford in Kent to be your youth worker. I am game for a laugh and have done things such as dressing in drag and attempting to run around Windsor for charity. I am a Chelsea FC supporter as well as following cricket and rugby. I also enjoy fishing and a good curry. So, I look forward to the next adventure, being part of your community and congregation.’
Our Aspiration
It is not uncommon to view young people as problems to be solved or victims in need of charity – this is not our view! Sandhurst Youth sees young people as valuable members of society deserving our appreciation and encouragement. Some of its aspirations include:-
- Wanting young people to be at the heart of all we do, harnessing the experiences they have had and using them to shape services that really work for them;
- Wanting to focus on the young person rather than their problems, and challenge all young people to be the best that they possibly can be;
- Wanting to create a different kind of language when talking about and to young people leaving negative, stereotyping behind, and letting young people become the central characters in their own stories;
- Wanting to gather and disseminate the right kind of information about young people - data that focuses less on their ‘needs’ and more on their abilities, goals and potential;
- Wanting to create fundraising and marketing techniques that present young people and their aspirations in a positive light that attracts support;
- Wanting to promote intelligent investments in services that enable young people to build thriving lives rather than moving them on when the immediate crisis is stabilised and leaving them to ‘cope’ with any disadvantage;
- Wanting anyone working with young people to have the skills to identify, nurture and promote young people’s talents and aspirations;
- Wanting to challenge ourselves and others by joining together to create a new future with and for young people in Sandhurst.
Come And Talk To Us
For more information please see our website sandhurstyouth.org.uk or talk to:
David Percival - Project Leader for Sandhurst Youth
Mike Gower - our Youth Worker
Liz Percival - who leads the volunteer team in the church.
David Percival - Project Leader for Sandhurst Youth
Mike Gower - our Youth Worker
Liz Percival - who leads the volunteer team in the church.