Boys work
Two great days with about 30 on each. The great thing was that they really did engage with the people who were there. The discussions on the first were not repeated on the second; people attending engaged and, I believe got a lot out of it as a result.
For me, a key factor was that we were trying to understand the basis as to why, in the main boys respond in certain ways that are different from girls. It wasn't just a list of activities we could do, in fact some were disappointed that it wasn't more of that, but it was about helpinjg us think through what we do, in light of a clear framework. It is like everything, it has to be worked out in real life, but I think that people were encouraged to make some changes, which will hiopefully reap results in their work with boys - and girls! These days were a significant investment in the Youth Service training budget, but I believe was a good investment into the lives of both youth workers as well as young people. It would be great to hear what people have done following the days - why not make a posting here?
November 17th 2009: On the eve of our first day with Lucinda Neall I am excited at the potential of our mixture of children's workers, youth workers, clergy, parents and grand parents that are coming together to work out how we do bring out the best in boys. In a recent discussion with Lucinda I realised something key about her - she really respects boys and sees this as underpinning each and every encounter with them. She also said something that caused me to smile. Men are often referred to as little boys who have never grown up; she sees it as boys are little men; the issues, concerns and approaches are from the same baseline.
After these days I hope to add more on engaging with boys. In the meantime feel free to have your say!
September posting:
It is great that bookings are coming in for these days and I am meeting with Lucinda very soon to finalise the details for the day. If you have any thoughts about issues to include, please let me know.
I keep meeting people who remind me of the great need for stepping up our work with boys - of all ages, of the potential of young men, as well as women, knowing Christ and responding to the call to live lives to the full.
I have been working through Lucinda's books, having committed myself to producing a review for Youth Work Magazine. It is both interesting, if not a little disturbing that it is bringing back memories of some of my early years at school, the messages I got from the responses of a range of people and how some of that still echoes in my head now and then. The great thing is that Lucinda challenges us to do it differently, in some ways it reminds me of the call of Jesus in Matthew (we call it the Beatitudes) - that last bit where he calls us to be salt and light - it is about the difference we can make in people's lives - and how recognising the qualities of both boys and girls we can help support young people to reach their full, God given potential.
That excites me!
Interesting that, having booked Lucinda Neall to lead some days on ‘Bringing out the best in boys' I open YouthWork Magazine to find an excellent article on working with boys and the issues we face. I have spoken to them and will be reviewing Lucinda's books, but more importantly we are not the only ones to be talking about how we minister more effectively to boys and young men. The more I talk about it, the more I realise that others are concerned too.
I am due to meet with Lucinda in early November as she prepares for the workshops. She would like some specific issues that people face, so she can engage with the real questions being asked within our churches. If you would like a particular aspect explored on those days, do email me us or post something here which I will pick up.
For years the idea that church is for women and children has been bandied around, but is that one factor, the image of the church why boys and men don't engage? Is it all too nice and feminine, or is there more to it? How do we address what are big issues? What do we need to do? You don't have to be a leader, many parents are asking how they pass on their faith to their children when they just don't seem to want to engage?
Lots of questions, let's tease out the answers!
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Short links
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/boys_work
http://www.albandys.org.uk/go/170
I work in a school as a youth worker. In the first few weeks I was in my job pretty much the whole school went out on trips for the day. Two lads that were deemed to disruptive, difficult or the such like didn’t go on the trip. On that day the lads possibly had a more rewarding day than the rest of the school. One of the senior members of staff told them that he was thinking about creating a gardeny area around the main entrance of the school. He gave them the chose as to weather they were interested in taking on the task, even asking them what they needed to do what they wanted to the area. Once kitted out with their desired items the lads worked harder than they had done in any lesson in the three years they’d been at the school. Everytime someone walked past they saw the awesome job these guys were doing and complimented their work. With each positive reaction they worked even harder. This for me showed that if given the opportunity to shine boys will grasp it. Sadly, I feel we can fail to promote the fact they can succeed, they can achieve, and have the potential to be amazing at something. Lads need to know that they can.
By Jaming on 2009 09 11