Worcester Spirit Mark

Over the last few years, Emma and I have been so pleased to see churches engaging with the Worcester Spirit Mark. This scheme helps parishes celebrate their good practice with children and youth. It seeks to help parishes identify ways in which they could improve how they reach out to children and young people and the ways they are welcomed into and included within worship and day to day activities of the church. Recently we have awarded Bronze Awards to Drakes Broughton.

 The Bronze Award itself represents a set of minimum standards in children's and youth work and ask questions such as ‘Are all those who work with children and young people possess a Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Certificate?’  For parishes which are going further in the way they include and welcome children and young people and the diocese will be awarding Silver where, for example training has been completed and Gold awards where children and young people are routinely involved in the planning and delivery of services.

Now that the scheme has been running for three years we are pleased to be able to promote these churches which are demonstrably welcoming to children and young people through our forthcoming Children and Youth Friendly Churches page of the diocesan website. All those who have achieved any level of the award will be listed as a church recommended for families looking for a church to attend. We’d love to be able to add more churches to this page so do have a look at the details of the scheme or download the Bronze award booklet. Do get in touch if you would like advice about exploring the Worcester Spirit Mark in your church.