Calling young people: this is your OPPortunity to shine

Young people are being encouraged to apply for one-yearplacements with a variety of innovative church projects throughoutBritain. The opportunities range from working with young peopledirectly affected by drug and alcohol problems to addressing someof the UK's most pressing social issues on a national scale.

The One Programme is a paid year out for young people aged 16 to23 years old. One Programme Participants (known as OPPs) are paidto work 15 hours a week: nine hours in a local church project andsix hours for training and other national work. The projects areselected by a panel of young people and key-workers. Successfulcandidates will have the opportunity to make a difference in theirown communities and will be paid a living wage.

Hayley Moss, Methodist Youth President, said: "I'm delighted thatthe Church has chosen to continue to invest in the One Programme.It offers excellent opportunities both for the young people and theprojects hosting them. Young people get stuck in to an excitinglocal project and participate in an excellent training programmealongside other young people from across the UK. Churches benefitfrom having an enthusiastic, dedicated young person involved intheir work. I loved my year on The One Programme. I think it is afantastic, challenging, worthwhile experience both for young peopleand their host projects. Everybody wins!"

Each project is unique, with the OPP given the freedom to shape anddevelop the work according to their own skills and insights. Theposts are open to anyone who will be between the ages of 16 and 23on 1 September 2013. Anyone within that age bracket - whetherconnected to a local Methodist church or not - is welcome to applyand the best applicants will be invited for interview.

Last year, Esther Salisbury was based at the Cross-Links project inDover, where she worked alongside the youth worker, lay ministerand volunteers to reach out to young people. "As a young personmyself, I know that the passion youth hold can be far moreenergetic than any other and that trust in the ability of youthneeds to grow," she said. "The opportunity I have been given as anOPP has allowed me to not only influence the lives of other youngpeople and children, but its challenges have greatly impacted theway I think and live; growing me into a stronger disciple ofGod."

Deadlines for applications range from mid-May to early June - formore information and to apply click here.

Notes:

1. A hi-res image of Hayley Moss is available to download here.