Meetings to highlight the importance of spirituality for young people

Recent research commissioned by the Commission on Urban Life andFaith shows that, while 70% of young people who live in urban areassaid they felt live was worth living, 52% said they often feeldepressed and 27% have sometimes considered taking their ownlife.

The World Health Organisation shows that young people in Britainare amongst the unhappiest in Europe and this detailed researchadds to the concern. At the same time the media often give youngpeople a hard time. There is therefore a pressing need to considerthe well being of young people in Britain, especially those inareas of multiple deprivation.

There is now an opportunity to discuss these and other issues thataffect young people's well being and how this may influence ourwork with young people today. The Methodist Church is organisingevents around the country to enable all those who work with youngpeople in any capacity to be involved in such discussions.

These events will draw on the extensive research prompted by theCommission on Urban Life and Faith and undertaken by the Universityof Wales, Bangor and The Children's Society. They will inform thechurches' and others' youth work and will provide useful materialto feedback to government in response to their Youth GreenPaper.

Steve Pearce, Methodist Secretary for Children, said: 'Young peoplein our towns and cities face tremendous pressure, and we owe it toboth them and those who work with them to offer all the time,support and insight we can. The churches and other faith groupshave a genuine desire to help young people and their know-how inthe area of spirituality can be a major contribution to youth andchildren's work. The research conducted by the Commission on UrbanLife and Faith and The Children's Society shows just how muchdifference spirituality makes to young lives and their sense ofpurpose. The Church, through this initiative, is sharing itscommitment with all who are working for the well being of youngpeople.

'These seminars offer a chance for church leaders, youth workers,local government and everyone else concerned with the well-being ofyoung people a chance to come together to discuss these vitallyimportant topics. The report gives us a previously unavailableinsight into the role of spirituality in young people's lives, andthese meetings will provide a unique opportunity to develop thisfurther.'

Baroness Kathleen Richardson will chair some of the seminars. Shesaid: 'these seminars will be very interesting to anyone involvedwith children's work in our urban areas. The research from CULF andthe Children's Society raises many important questions about thespiritual needs and beliefs of children, and how these make adifference to their lives and actions. Faith communities of alltypes have important roles to play in the development of ourchildren, and in overcoming the negative image of urban youth thattoo many people have. Faith groups can provide the positive adultrole models, sense of purpose and the moral practical guidance thatchildren clearly need.'

The seminars take place in Brixton, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpooland Newcastle in September and October. They are aimed at voluntarysector professionals, children and youth workers, social workers,health care professionals, local government workers, clergy, andothers concerned with the well being of young people.