Jump 

The Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) has witnessed since its inception in May 2001, steady and sustained growth across many areas of its work. Of notable mention would be...

  • The rise in Anglican Parishes and Dioceses employing a full time youth worker, currently 50.
  • The number of Parishes seeking to employ a youth worker, (approximately 10 to date),
  • The increase of young adults attending CIYD's national programme and expressing a desire to engage in youth work in a voluntary/full time capacity.

As an all-Ireland agency, CIYD is committed to create with and for young adults a unique opportunity, that develops practical experience of youth work, in support of Parishes; as they address the youth concerns of their local communities. To this end, the ‘Jump' programme has been developed.

Purpose of the ‘Jump' programme

To recruit, train and place young adults, aged between 18-30 years, in Parish-based youth work positions across Ireland for a one year time period.
This programme will focus on three strands....

  • Christian Mission: Providing opportunities for young adults to engage in mission and service opportunities across the Church, through local Parishes and Dioceses.
  • Active Citizenship: Seeking to resource and deepen the call to serve Irish society, by providing key learning opportunities for young adults regarding voluntary service.
  • Reconciliation/Citizenship: Developing a contextual awareness and experience of issues affecting Irish society (North and South of the Border), therefore better equipping this generation of young adults for leadership in the 21st Century.

The Proposal:

  • It is CIYD's aim to
    To establish a CIYD ‘year out', service opportunity for young adults (aged between 18 and 30 years old), beginning Autumn 2008.
  • To draw together through this programme, up to 10 young adults each year from the breadth and diversity of the Church and Irish society.
  • To place these young adults in local Parish or Diocesan Youth work contexts, to support their development and to support the hosting Parish or Diocese in this process.
  • To give those who participate an opportunity to achieve an accredited qualification in a chosen field (for example, youth work, reconciliation, anti-racism training). Please note: accredited training opportunities are available in partnership with other Youth service providers for example Youth Link. NI and the National Youth Council of Ireland. 
  • Provide opportunities where the Jump team will work as a complete unit via participation with other CIYD programmes, e.g. Anois (1), Summer Madness (2).

Target groups relevant to this Programme:

Young adults aged between 18-30 years, Diocesan Youth Officers, full-time Youth Workers, part-time Youth Workers, and volunteer Parish-based youth leaders, across the Church of Ireland. University Chaplaincies where Church of Ireland students are active will also form a key target group for the Jump programme. This post will involve supporting Clergy, Parishes and their local communities around the placement of the ‘Jump' programme members.