The Archbishop of York Youth Trust are delighted that they will be hosting the National Younger Leadership groups in partnership with the national Church of England Education Office.

The National Younger Leadership Groups will be made of two networks, one Primary aged and one Secondary, involving around 200 young people from across the country. A third group for students in Further Education will also be running.

The networks will help develop leadership skills and character virtues for young people through a year-long online leadership development programme, allowing them to be catalysts for positive change within their schools, communities, and churches. Additionally, young people will be provided a platform to engage with, and contribute to, the strategic development of the Church of England.

The Most Revd & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell Archbishop of York said:

“We long to see our church grow younger, growing faith of children and young people through schools, churches and families. As we shape the vision of the Church of England for the next decade together, we want children and young people to be central to this journey.  

I am therefore delighted that the Archbishop of York Youth Trust are facilitating the National Younger Leadership Groups, led by the Church of England, listening to young peoples’ voices. It is excellent that the church’s thinking and direction will be shaped and led with the help of children and young people.”

Andy Wolfe, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Leadership Development) for the Church of England said:

“We’re delighted to be working together with the Youth Trust support in creating these interactive and through-provoking sessions for both Primary and Secondary pupils. They will help encourage children and young people to acknowledge that they have a voice and the ability to be great leaders, no matter how old they are.”

Young people have been invited to join these networks by every Diocese across the Church of England. The National Younger Leadership Groups will meet on Zoom for the first time in November, with following sessions scheduled across the rest of the academic year.

The Youth Trust was founded by Dr John Sentamu in 2009 when he announced his vision to empower a new generation of young leaders who would be the change we need to see in our schools and communities. Through the Young Leaders Award, a leadership and character education programme for all schools, the Youth Trust have reached over 100,000 young people; helping them to grow in confidence and building their leadership skills to make a difference in local communities and beyond.

For more information, please contact comms@abyyt.com.