An essential part of the YCW Movement is the support and guidance our Adult Companions and Chaplains give to the young people we work with. Therefore, providing training to both new and existing Companions is hugely important.
The latest training day had a range of activities and updates on our campaigns, resources for groups, a presentation about the new YCW leadership programme and opportunities for the sharing of best practice.
We were also pleased to be joined by a young leader from the Ramsbottom IMPACT! Group who took the adult companions through a presentation about what they have been doing in their Group. This was a good chance to explain from example how the support of an adult companion can make a huge difference to the work of the Movement.
Our guest speaker for the day was John Battle, who spoke about the need for our mission to reach out into the community. John explained how Pope Francis’ call for us to be missionary disciples fits in with vision of the YCW as being an active and positive influence in the world around us. By training up a new generation of young leaders we will be shaping the future of our communities and beyond, so it is essential that we are equipped for that.
Marc Besford, National President of the YCW, said: “I want to thank John for his inspiring words to us all. The group of adult companions left the day with a renewed sense of purpose and mission, which will be of a great benefit to the movement but also the communities within which we serve.”
Finally, National Chaplain of the YCW, Fr John Marsland, led a training session on the Three Truths - the Truth of Faith, Reality and Method. Cardijn described them as such: “The three truths that light up and explain the problem of working youth in the world today”.
It is through the contradiction between the truths of Faith and Reality that we can truly understand and appreciate the need for the SEE-JUDGE-ACT Method. This gives the young people an opportunity to discuss their own realities and examine how this all fits into their local communities and the wider world, but then inspires them to act upon this with authentic Christian action. Therefore, this is an essential aspect for the adult companions to be trained in.
Fr John said: “The work of our adult companions cannot be underestimated. They are highly dedicated to the movement and the young leaders within it. We hope to put on further training in the new year, so please keep an eye out for details and share it with anyone who may be interested.”
