Children and young people are a vital part of the life of Quaker meetings. The Youth, Children, and Families Team in Quaker Life offers training and networking opportunities to support Quaker meetings in this work.

We do not seek to tell you what to do but hope to enable you to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes, as our work with young Quakers is not effective without your help.

These opportunities are offered by the experienced volunteer Training Team – a part of the Quaker Life Network – supported by Quaker Life staff. They are Friends with experience in children and young people's work; they are also skilled at facilitating groups of adults. They have a desire for Quakerism to be for people of all ages. Usually two members from this team would meet any request made.

Workshops and conferences

    Host a workshop

    All workshops provide opportunities to come together, learn, reflect, practice and plan.

    Request a workshop for your meeting on one of the following topics:

    For adults:

    • being ready for children and families
    • embracing babies and toddlers in Quaker meetings
    • building relationships with children
    • exploring the spiritual with young people
    • working with small numbers across a wide age range

    For ages over five, all together:

    • making everyone welcome
    • worshipping multi-generationally
    • storytelling (Godly Play and the Quaker Faith & Play)
    • enquiring and reflecting together (using Philosophy 4 Communities)
    • singing with children in a Quaker context

    Bespoke, tailored for your meeting:

    • considering an aspect of all–age community relevant to your Meeting

    To find out more about these opportunities check our 'Growing community' leaflet (PDF).

    To make a request, please contact cypadmin@quaker.org.uk.

    Within two weeks of making a request, you will be contacted by Quaker Life staff.

    Network Opportunities

    We offer regular opportunities to meet with Quakers across Britain Yearly Meeting (and beyond!) to ask questions, share ideas, good practice and concerns to support each other in our work/interactions with youth, children and families. These meetings were borne out of the need to connect differently during the pandemic, and continue to offer our widespread community a way to connect, develop and sustain each other.

    • A monthly meeting for those working with young people in Quaker settings – second Wednesday of each month 7.30-9.00pm. Register for the next meeting.
    • A monthly meeting for those involved with Children's Meeting and All Age Worship – third Thursday of the month on zoom, 7.30pm–9pm. Register for the next meeting.
    • Termly Children and Young Person's Work Advocate Network Meeting to support people in the role of CYP Work Advocate to think about how they creatively and effectively champion work with youth, children and families in their area. The next meeting is on Tuesday 5 March 2024. 7.30-9.00pm. Register for the next meeting.

    Conferences

    Quaker work with children & young people

    17 February 2024, Bolton

    A free in-person day of workshops, speakers and networking to explore and develop skills in running Quaker children's meeting, youth events and opportunities for families and all ages.

    The first of a series of days planned to be held across different parts of Britain in 2024.

    Book here

    Contact us

    CYP Administrator
    cypadmin@quaker.org.uk
    020 7663 1013