 What is it like to be a Trainee for THE WAVE YOUTH in Swanage? Fun, challenging, tiring, exciting, surprising, amazing, exhausting and full of new experiences!
When I signed up for this year, probably one and a half years ago, I had no idea what I was letting myself in for - I just did what God was telling me to do and I ended up in Swanage working for The Wave. The Wave is a very young organisation in Swanage; It's divided into Wave Kids (who work with 0-11 year olds) and The Wave Youth (11-18 year Olds). It's a job with a lot of variety, we are already running lots of groups with different aims and age groups in mind. Most of the groups you will work with are outreach groups like Remix and Juice. You will work regularly in a school by helping to run a Christian Union and you will work with a young house group and disciple young Christians. The variety of what you are doing is huge: So at Remix, for example, you can support the young people by learning a song they want to play or preparing a new song to learn with them. Part of your tasks will be to prepare games and talks for the house group and the Christian union. You will be involved in planning new strategies and new youth groups. Right now we are in the middle of planing Regenerate and as an intern I have the opportunity to explain my ideas and shape the youth group. You will have opportunities to write articles and share your faith in this way. There are also other events set up by the local churches which you can take part in if you are interested. But the biggest part of your work here is just be there: be at every youth group, be open and listen to the young people - don ́t be afraid to share the gospel or to be honest with them. So now you know all this stuff, but why should you come to Swanage? First of all the team are amazing and you get a lot of support; you will work with your line manager on a day to day basis and there are regular prayer meetings. If you should ever have any trouble your line manager, mentor or minister will find time for you and help you. This is important because even though you will go through some hard times, you will always have support and people who love you around you. Something else which I have found unique to Swanage is the way that all the churches work together. The Wave is a charity run by all the churches in Swanage and it works - you will feel welcome in every church you will go to in Swanage. And of course, Swanage has a beautiful seaside and an amazing view... the only negative thing is that it takes you a while to get to another city... But that is a problem that can be solved very easily. If you work with The Wave you will also be part of an organisation called SWYM. When you are doing your first year it will be called 'Be Transformed'. This will include 6 conferences where you will study theology and learn about good youth work practice. SWYM will support you in many other ways and you will meet people your own age, going through the same experiences that you are. What is there left to say? If you feel God is calling you to do youth work in the south west of England or if you just feel the call to sign up: Do it! I did it and I don't regret it. God will use this year and this internship. You will be transformed and you will influence young people. The Team are currently looking for a Gap Year Trainee from September 2016 to July 2017 - for more information contact the team! I would also be more than happy to answer any of your questions - [email protected] Güven
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