Brand new detached project in school launches successfully!

Last week we were really pleased to launch a brand new detached youth work project at Ysgol John Bright, marking an exciting new chapter in our work with young people in the town.

We were present in the school’s outdoor spaces across the lunch period for Year 7, Year 9, and Year 11, simply showing up, being visible, and creating opportunities for conversation. We brought along a couple of informal activities, including a simple game and a chalkboard inviting pupils to respond to a question about God. What started as curiosity quickly turned into connection.

Across lunchtime, we engaged with over 50 young people, leading to a wide range of conversations; some light-hearted and playful, others thoughtful and surprisingly deep. The chalkboard sparked interest, questions, and honest reflections, giving young people space to share their thoughts without pressure.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the session was the chance to renew relationships with young people we hadn’t seen for quite some time, while also meeting and getting to know many new faces. Detached work often begins quietly, but this first session felt full of energy, openness, and genuine engagement from the pupils.
The young people were respectful, welcoming, and enthusiastic, and the school staff were pleased with how the session went. We’re grateful for the support of the school and for the opportunity to be present in a way that prioritises relationship and trust.

This first session felt like a really strong start. Detached youth work is about being there, listening well, and creating safe spaces where young people can explore questions of life, faith, and identity at their own pace. Next time we’ll be there for the other lunch, for years 8, 10 and the sixth form. We’re excited to continue building on this foundation and to see how these lunchtime connections grow over the coming weeks. Keep praying for us! 🙂