Our story

The Charter originated from Youthwork, a collaboration of organisations committed to working together to resource and inspire Christian youth work. Alongside Youthwork the conference, the largest annual youth work training event in the UK, they develop other training programmes and courses, publish resources and work together to better engage and equip the church to serve young people.

Working with Youthwork is Amaze, the first professional body for Christian youth and children’s workers in the UK, offering support on practical issues like insurance, driving minibuses, health and safety and recruitment.

The Charter started as an idea in 2007, talking to youth workers about the experience of working in a church. All felt passionate about working with young people and committed to serving the churches who were paying them, but their experiences of being supported were mixed. Often it was simply because churches weren’t aware of some of the pressures and issues the youth workers faced.

Talking and praying together, the idea of a Charter was formed, a set of promises that would both challenge and inspire churches to think about these issues. Our dream is that every church, including those already doing a great deal to support their youth worker, would find the experience of accreditation helpful.

Planning the Charter has taken a year, but the response has been overwhelming. We really do hope the dream that started nearly two years ago now begins to make a difference.

We love our youthworker

"The Baptist Union’s Mission Department welcomes this initiative. I believe that this Charter is timely, prophetic, and if taken seriously would change the culture and practice of employment of youth workers."

Ian Bunce, Head of Mission Department, Baptist Union of Great Britain

"I am convinced if every church employing a youth worker was diligently outworking this Charter, it would have a dramatic effect, not only our youth workers but also on the young people they serve."

Steve Clifford, General Director of the EA

"Over the last twenty years the church has done a fantastic job of recognising the need for youth workers. Now it’s time the church took a serious look at the needs of youth workers."

Martin Saunders, Editor, Youthwork Magazine

"This Charter is a clear, strategic and timely reminder that as youth workers express and demonstrate worth and value to those they serve, as the church we should be doing exactly the same for them."

Susie Mapldoram, Diocesan Youth Officer, Manchester Diocese

"This Charter helps the church articulate its desire to value and develop its youth workers. I believe it will add richness to those who are among our churches greatest assets!"

Mark Pugh, National Director, Serious4God

"I commend this National Charter to every church who wants a fulfilled youth worker and the resulting growth in their youth work!"

Rev Stephen Gaukroger, Clarion Trust International

“My prayer is that the Charter will, indeed, be a great encouragement to all churches that employ a youth worker to show in even more tangible ways that they really do value, love, and cherish them.”

Peter Ball, National Youth Adviser, Church of Engalnd

“Every church should commit to The National Charter for Church Youth Workers. It reminds us all that we have a responsibility to care for those who are at the forefront of so much incredible work with young people here in the UK.”

Steve Chalke, MBE Founder, Oasis Global, Faithworks & Stop The Traffik