WHAT DOES SWYM DO?

Youth and schools-work in the South West often takes place in a rural setting and this presents a whole range of challenges. Since starting in 1997 SWYM has found that in smaller communities it is best to bring churches together to work alongside each other, enabling them to achieve what would be unmanageable by themselves.

Often these churches or groups of churches are too small to provide support and training for the workers that they employ, or cannot afford to employ someone in the first place. SWYM works in partnership with these churches and projects, and equips them with trainee youth workers. This enables Ministry Partners to start youth work projects where before it was unfeasible, or to employ a team where originally they could only afford a single worker.

Whilst all managerial support and decisions are carried out by the Ministry Partner, the Area Co-ordinator is always available to provide guidance and support to both Trainee and Ministry Partner, usually by sitting on a management group.

An essential part of SWYM training and development is done through cluster and conference.

As a part of their training and development as leaders SWYM trainees also have the opportunity to plan, lead and participate in a wide range of activities, including small weekends away, larger camps, overseas mission trips, social action projects, creative arts, evangelistic tours and events.