This role leads on the delivery of Junior Church and the leadership and co-ordination of volunteer Junior Church Helpers. In the Benedictine tradition of welcoming everyone, including children and young people to the Cathedral, Junior Church is open to children of reception age (3 - 4 years old) to Year 6 (10 - 11 years old) with the option of staying on after Year 6 if that seems appropriate. This role enables the Junior Church to play their part in fulfilling the mission and values of the Cathedral by nurturing faith and bible teaching in an inclusive, engaging and creative way.
Applicants to this role are required to obtain a DBS check to Enhanced Level plus the Children's Barred List before commencing their duties. This will be arranged for you through our HR team.
We are thrilled to be receiving a high volume of applications and enquiries about volunteering at present, although this does mean our processing times are a little longer than usual. We will do our best to reply to your enquiry via County Durham Volunteering within a week, or within two weeks of you making an application through our online application form. Thank you so much for your patience.
In this role you can expect to:
- Provide a friendly, safe, supportive and caring welcome to all who attend the Junior Church and to help them feel at home in the Cathedral.
- Help to lead and co-ordinate the Junior Church Helpers in their duties and be the first point of contact for issues arising.
- Share in the nurture of children in the Christian faith through storytelling, prayer, singing, games, crafts and other creative activities.
- Help plan and prepare the content of sessions to ensure they fulfil our mission and provide an interactive and enjoyable context for the children’s learning.
- Support the safety and wellbeing of members and Helpers whilst in the building, including collecting and returning the key and radio from the Porters’ Lodge, setting up and clearing up.
- Raise any concerns relating to safeguarding or health and safety with a relevant member of staff.
- Help support and coordinate Helpers.
- Support the induction and training of new Helpers with the Minor Canon for Liturgy & Learning and any other relevant members of staff.
- Help communicate the Sunday programme and any special activities with parents and guardians.
- Help identify necessary resources required.
- Help with planning rotas.
- Help ensure that registers are completed and logged.
- Attend meetings as required.
For this role, we are looking for the following:
- A baptised Christian and a regular worshipper at the Cathedral or another Christian church or acceptance of, and willingness to communicate, the basic elements of the Christian faith coupled with an openness and willingness to grow in understanding of the Christian faith through being a Junior Church helper.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the Cathedral.
- Commitment to the safeguarding policy and practice within the Cathedral.
- A pleasant, polite, kind, calm and welcoming manner, especially with children, young people, and their families.
- Respect and sensitivity towards people of all abilities, beliefs, cultures and backgrounds.
- Experience of teaching, working or volunteering with children (including those with Special Educational Needs) would be an advantage.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills, particularly in the engagement of children and young people.
- Flexible and adaptable whilst also being reliable, conscientious and a good timekeeper.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
- Current email address for effective communication.
In this role, you will usually be based in the Cathedral and environs including the Chapter House.
Sessions are during the 10:00 service during term time (usually State School term time for Sunday School, Chorister School term time for Sunday Club). Regular commitment is appreciated but it is not expected that you are present at every session. There may also be a small amount of administrative time outside of usual session hours.
The following will be provided:
- New Junior Church Leaders learn through shadowing existing Leaders and Helpers.
- We will ask you to undertake the National Church of England Safeguarding training (Basic, Foundations and Leadership Levels) and Action Counters Terrorism security training before you start in role.
Play an important role in facilitating the Cathedral’s welcome and ministry to children and their families.
- Be part of a passionate and dedicated team.
- Experience of working with children and young people.
- Be part of some of the key events in the Cathedral’s liturgical calendar.
- Be involved in the important life and history of one of Britain’s best-loved buildings.
- References available on request
- Opportunity to join the Cathedral’s Community Roll
- Cloister Card offering 10% discount in the Cathedral Shop and Undercroft Restaurant (conditions apply)
- Various optional volunteer training as available
