ANNUAL REPORT FINAL 10 Nov 21

Southwark Catholic Youth Service
Twenty-twenty was the year that brought
the most significant and unpredictable
challenges to us all.
The pandemic has had a particularly negative
impact on the lives of young people, limiting their
opportunities and disrupting plans in all areas. The
uncertainty and anxiety have led to a rise in mental
health issues and highlighted many areas of inequality
within our society.
For the Youth Service it has been a time of significant
challenge and change, most markedly with the closure
of St Vincent’s Residential Youth Retreat Centre,
Whitstable. St Vincent’s has been home to Southwark
Catholic Youth Service (SCYS) and their peer
ministry community for the last 17 years, welcoming
residential groups from the across the Diocese. Over
30,000 young people have benefited from residential
and day retreats; we are very sad that this work is
unable to continue at St Vincent’s Centre.
We give thanks for the many blessings received: for
each moment of encounter with Christ; for each
young person; each member of the peer ministry team
who has given a year in service to the Diocese and
for the hospitality and encouragement received by
visiting teachers, catechists, youth workers and clergy.
In response to the COVID-19 lockdown, SCYS
developed its online presence, most notably the
adaption of a planned resource: ‘Christ is Alive’.
As part of the process SCYS worked with a group
of young people to produce five short films and
reflections on Christus Vivit (Christ is Alive) - The post
Synod Apostolic Exhortation written by Pope Francis for
young people and for the whole of the Church.
The programme acknowledged the difficulties of the
COVID-19 restrictions for young people. Using short
films alongside journaling, we offered a format for young
people to think about what is really important, to ponder
some of the big questions about life and faith and also
focus on staying healthy spiritually. We know many
young people accessed this resource through our schools
or self-directed via YouTube.
We all know the negative impact of Coronavirus and
the effect on individuals, families and communities.
Throughout the lockdown and time of restriction,
SCYS has heard many positive stories of young people
reaching out and making a difference through social
action. We captured some of these through our work
on the CYMFed Faith in Action award; examples
included young people shopping for older neighbours,
helping with SVP and foodbanks, supporting other
young people struggling in lockdown and writing to
older parishioners in parishes.
Looking ahead, we acknowledge that SCYS needs to
adapt and develop in response to the changing needs
of our young people and parish communities. We
will be taking time to develop programmes, training
and new opportunities for our young people and
those supporting them in parishes and schools. This
will include an emphasis on training, support and the
development of networks in our parishes and deaneries.
Moving forward, Southwark Catholic Youth Service
continue to provide opportunities for young people to
encounter Christ, to live life to its fullest (Jn 10:10).
https://youtu.be/mFVdZNY2DQw
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