Children's/ Youth Groups - UnD@ground.YP

The Sacred Heart with the other churches in Diggle and Uppermill have joined together to create a charitable company, Diggle and Uppermill Ecumenical Youth Project Ltd, with a shared vision to reach out to the young people in the Saddleworth area.

The Project
The Project receives financial support from 5 churches of different Christian denominations in Uppermill and Diggle, and representatives of these Churches sit on the Board of Trustees. The project has received grants from, among others, the Council for World Mission, the Rotary and Round Table organisations, Lees & Saddleworth Parish Council and Lloyds TSB.

Provision
The Project currently employs 2 part-time youth workers who between them, provide the following activities:

• The Und@ground - Friday evenings in Uppermill Methodist Church cellar. A membership based club open to 14 – 16 year olds that mixes provision commonly found in ‘open’ youth club situations (snooker table, dance mats, playstations, tuck shop) with organised activities such as drama, quizzes, live music and, weekly, a short input ‘Life2theMax’ where issues are discussed from a Christian perspective.

• Two Rock Solid Clubs – held Thursday and Friday evenings in Kiln Green Church, Diggle and the Congregational Church, Uppermill. These are aimed at 11 – 14 year olds. They feature a mix of games, buzz groups and discussions (e.g. bullying, parents, self-worth, money, friends) following the programme written by the national charity ‘Youth for Christ’.

• Saddleworth Secondary School. Inputs that now include working in partnership with the Learning Mentor Department in planning and delivering 6-week courses aimed at building self esteem in Year 7 pupils identified as being at risk of becoming disaffected with school. Involvement in Yr 9 Young Women’s group and RS lessons.

• Lunchtime Clubs – Using Scripture Union material with KS2 children in 3 of the local primary schools.

• After-school provision twice weekly in the Methodist Church Cellar. This is a drop-in facility for young people aged 11+

• A recently introduced monthly Church service for young people called elev8.

• Special events – such as visits to ‘SPACE’, a Christian event in Manchester, two very successful activity weekends for young people, Creative Arts days and a 24-hour famine during which young people raised money for projects sponsored by World Vision.

For further information on the youth activities please contact us by using the contact form.