Resources for Children, Young People and Families (updated August 26th 2020)

AS churches look towards reopening in new ways and consider how they can reach and connect with young people and young adults, Jodie Thorpe, the YBA's Children, Youth and Families Enabler, has recommended a series of videos which could be helpful for church leadership teams.

The videos were filmed during an online leaders' day hosted by SCBA (Southern Counties Baptist Association).
In them Rachel Gardner, Director of Youthscape and President of The Girls' Brigade, considers the
challenge of reaching, supporting, developing and empowering young people and young adults.

Jodie says: "I share Rachel's passion and encourage you to take some time to watch the first two videos in particular and explore how the church might 'pivot younger'; to be relevant, inclusive, supporting and empowering. 
Maybe you could use the videos as a discussion tool among your church leadership team and look at how your church might ‘pivot younger’.
Follow this link to see the videos. If you would like to explore this further, or have questions, then do get in touch by email."

Jodie (pictured right) adds: "Many Christian organisations are offering resources and suggesting ways to approach mission with Children, Youth and Families. A few to explore include:-

www.yfc.co.uk  Some great video resources for older children and young people.
 
https://kitchentable.org.uk/  I’d particularly recommend their ‘talking faith’ series.
 
www.scriptureunion.org.uk "With new ideas, updates on the 95 campaign and resources for leaving lockdown."
 
Prayer Spaces in Schools and Youthscape are hosting their new academic year conference about schools work online in September - and it's FREE. This will be a great place to find out about all the new regulations regarding schools work, with seminars about mental health and wellbeing, grief and loss, chaplaincy in primary and secondary schools, racial injustice and education, prayer spaces in schools and more. Find out more - click here.

The latest Covid-19 guidance relating to Children’s, Youth and Families Ministry is available from Baptists Together - click here.

And finally, a reminder from Jodie: "Do remember to check the Baptists Together website which is updated as new advice and regulations are published.
And if you would like to talk to me about any aspect of Children, Youth and Families work in churches, please feel free to email me "

Below are some other useful websites, links, events, materials that might be appropriate for your ministries with children, youth and families:-

Tabletalk - Usually purchased in the format of cards to discuss around a table.  Tabletalk have currently got some great discussion questions available free on their website to help generate chat with friends and family.  Could also be used in a youth group setting.  (Something to keep your eye out for too - they are developing a new ‘wellbeing’ table talk game which sounds great.) http://www.table-talk.org/

1277 National Network of Church-based Toddler Groups - Have some good ideas for praying for and with Toddler Groups.  See their website and Facebook.  Also links to various resources ready for when you are able to get Toddler Groups back up and running.  https://1277.org.uk/

Toddler Time - A weekly story, craft and song time for Toddlers on YouTube from West Mersea Free Church.  Accessible from their website (https://merseafree.church/youth/toddlers/) and on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvqUJSqo2zw)

Joanne, from Beauchief Baptist Church, Sheffield, has shared her really useful blog where she reviews various Christian apps and advises which ones are good.

‘Together at Home’ - family resource sheets around scripture with suggestions for activities, prayers, discussion etc:

Godly Play UK - 10 easy things to do to help us talk to each other … listen … be calm and relax …be quiet and still … and, perhaps, be silent.