Earlier this month, YCW Training and Development Worker, Marc Besford, visited Preston to catch up with all the groups and activities that are happening there.
To start off, St Bede's in Lytham St Annes put together a Youth Forum to bring together all four of their school's groups. Each group explained to the Forum what they had been doing, including a well-being questionnaire around the mental health of their peers. They also worked with another school - Our Lady's in Fulwood, Preston - to reach as many young people as possible.
Outside of YCW and IMPACT work, the groups help support CAFOD and have expanded a Respect Ambassadors programme with a focus on the issue of bullying and the harm this can cause to the mental health of young people.
In addition to this, Our Lady's Catholic High School have developed links with their local University by making films on environmental issues following discussion of this topic in their Groups.
Importantly, the Groups have also made links with their local parishes and other young people around the world. Being part of an international movement of young people, like the YCW, is a great opportunity to expand horizons and share realities.
Following the visit, Marc Besford congratulated the work of the Groups in Preston saying: "It struck me that all the young people I met expressed the same feelings about what YCW and IMPACT means to them: building friendships, gaining confidence and instilling a real determination to act on issues that are close to them as young people.
Overall, I was really pleased to be able to meet so many inspirational young people who are committed to voicing the concerns of their peers and taking authentic Christian action on the big issues of the day."
