MEET THE TEAM...

CLAIRE HINCHLIFF:  ch

Claire is 22 and from Eglinton in Co. Londonderry. Claire has just graduated from Dundee University in Scotland with a BSc in Environmental Science.

Claire has been involved in the Sitting Ducks Youth Project in Derry and Raphoe Diocese for the last few years and has gained lots of useful experience during that time.

Claire is a really enthusiastic and outgoing person. Claire has been involved in outdoor education over the past few summers and really enjoys hiking, cycling, climbing, canoeing and most things outdoorsy! Claire has been involved in Scouts for a number of years too.

Claire is really sociable and enjoys spending time with friends and staying in touch with them.

Claire is both worried and excited about going to Cork. Claire will be a great asset to the work in Midleton College as well as to Cloyne Union.

LYNDA McCANN: lm

Lynda is 31 and from Athy in Co Kildare. Lynda is a qualified Science teacher but has decided to explore Youth Work as a career option by taking a year out with the JUMP Programme.

Lynda has lived and taught in England in the past. Lynda is heavily involved in her home Parish of Athy where she has been part of the Parish Vision Development Team recently and also served as Rectors Church Warden.

Having been a teacher for the past 8 years Lynda is hoping to broaden her horizons as an intern with the JUMP Programme in Magheraculmoney. Lynda is very organised, she is a good listener and has a very caring nature.

Lynda enjoys being outside and is very interested in nature.

When asked about how she felt about the year ahead Lynda said that is looking forward to getting started and getting to know the young people and children in the parish. Lynda is keen to really get stuck in and to make the most of this year and opportunity. Lynda is hardworking and will be an asset to the team in Kesh

ANDREW NEILL:

Andrew is 21, from Donaghcloney and has just graduated from Queens University Belfast with a Law and Politics (LLB) Degree.

During his time at Queens Andrew lived in the Church of Ireland Student Centre and was one of the Student Wardens there in his final year.

Andrew really enjoys sport and plays football regularly. He is also very musical; Andrew plays a variety of instruments. Andrew enjoys spending time with people and has a very outgoing nature.

When asked about the year ahead Andrew said that he is really looking forward to getting started in St Jude's, getting to know the young people and the staff team there.

Andrew has joined the JUMP Programme to explore what it is like to work with young people and to see the difference he can make in their lives; he wants to build on his existing experience during the next year.

Andrew is a strong candidate and he will bring a lot to the existing youth and children's work in Ballynafeigh Parish.

BILLY FYFFE: bf

Billy Fyffe is 20 and from Magheralin (he shouldn't have any problem spelling Maghera!!). Billy has been working in Christ Church, Lisburn for the last year as part of the Youth For Christ Y1 Programme. Billy does feel a calling to Youth Ministry so is hoping that this year with the JUMP Programme will equip him more for that in the future.

Billy is an outgoing people person, he has a big personality which naturally draws people too him. Billy has lots of energy and has experiences in a variety of different youth work settings, he has worked in both America and Canada in the past.

In his spare time Billy enjoys sport, he plays a wide variety of sports including football, rugby and badminton. Billy is also musical, he plays guitar and enjoys singing - he even writes his own songs!

Billy is keen to get more experience this year, he wants to learn from the team around him. With the right support Billy will be a real asset to the existing team in Maghera.

NEIL DAWSON: nd

Neil is 18 and from Banbridge. Neil has just completed his A-Levels at Banbridge Academy and hopes to study Pharmacy at Queens University Belfast after his year out with the JUMP Programme.

Neil attends Seapatrick Church of Ireland in Banbridge and is involved with helping with Sunday school and other groups, like the Summer Serve team in the church. Neil attends Youth Fellowship regularly.

Neil is a keen skateboarder and also enjoys other more extreme sports like mountain biking and bungee jumping!! Neil also enjoys playing and listening to music, he plays the drums.

Neil is excited and nervous about the next year as a JUMP Programme Intern in Glenavy, about getting to know new people and also helping out with the programmes already running there.

Neil is enthusiastic and hardworking; he will work well as part of the team involved in Youth and Children's Ministry in Glenavy.

RICHARD JOHNSTON: rr

Richard is 19 and from Moira. He has just finished A-Levels at Wallace High School in Lisburn, Richard was Head Boy there last year. After his time with the JUMP Programme Richard does want to go to University, he's not sure what he will study yet. Richard feels that this year will test whether or not youth work is for him.

Richard likes sport, music and drama - I'm sure he will get to make the most of these skills in Athy!

Richard enjoys meeting new people and hanging out with his friends; Richard is a really sociable person.

When asked about how he was feeling about the JUMP Programme Richard said that he was most excited about doing something new and discovering more about himself. Richard did admit to being a little nervous about living in a new place and settling in there. Richard really wants to use his time as an Intern with the JUMP Programme to broaden his horizons.

Richard is committed, energetic and enthusiastic; he will be a real asset to the existing and developing work in Athy Union of Parishes.