On 6 May, the Growing Younger Team gathered with attendees for an encouraging and thought-provoking workshop, 'Keeping Connected', which explored how churches can better support children and young people through the important transition from Year 6 to Year 7.
Participants heard inspiring stories, honest reflections, and practical advice from four different ministry contexts:
- Rev’d Matt Tarling (Vicar of St Paul’s Spennymoor)
- Catherine Simpson (Chaplain at St John’s Primary School Shildon)
- Meg Haslam (Youth Enabler at St Nics, Durham)
- Graham Cleland (Growing Younger Strategic Leader – talking about his experience
Each shared both the joys and challenges of transition ministry, offering ideas and encouragement for others exploring this area.
The workshop also welcomed Ian Kent and Geoff Brown from Scripture Union, who introduced new free online resources designed to support churches and ministries in this work. Jeni Nottingham facilitated a Q&A panel with all contributors, creating space for practical discussion and shared wisdom. In the second half of the session, Christine Muneza facilitated an Action Learning exercise, giving attendees space to reflect deeply on their own contexts and explore next steps together. Several participants shared that the session helped them think more clearly and confidently about developing their ministry.
Jeni Nottingham, Mission Enabler for Youth, said: “We left encouraged by the passion, creativity, and commitment people are showing in serving young people well through times of transition.”
If you’d like to explore Year 6–7 transition ministry further — or simply don’t know where to begin — the Growing Younger team would love to support you:
- Jeni Nottingham (Mission Enabler – Youth) Jeni.Nottingham@durham.anglican.org
- Christine Muneza (Mission Enabler – Children) Christine.Muneza@durham.anglican.org