Over 50 people from across our diocese gathered in Truro to connect, share stories and help shape the diocese’s work in the important area of children and young people.

The inaugural networking event for those working and volunteering under the umbrella term of ‘children, young people, families and schools’ was held at Truro Methodist Church.

The aim of the network is to bring together people working in various capacities with children, young people, families and schools to develop the children and young people’s work in the diocese, an area which forms significant parts of many deanery plans.

The morning started with opening prayers led by Archdeacon Kelly Betteridge. Lee Moscato, Director of Education, Isaac McNish, Head of Ministry, and Sarah Welply, Lay Ministries Development Officer, then spoke on what was the thinking behind the event and gave their views on what they think should happen next. The groups in attendance were then asked to help shape this work by answering some questions: ‘What do we want from the event? What can we offer? How should this look moving forward (how often etc)?

The feedback was helpful and insightful, and the team are already using this to shape the next steps, and it will also be used in wider diocesan planning.

Ruth Marriott, Director of Change & Renewal, was on hand to explain wider diocesan planning, before Daniel Knuckey from The Rainbow Multi Academy Trust gave an update on safeguarding in schools explaining what volunteers and visitors can expect when visiting but most importantly, why. He gave details on the legislation and frameworks that schools must adhere to to help those present better understand the policy and processes.

Clare Green, the diocesan Schools’ Creation Care Officer, spoke about the work she does supporting churches to join with schools in their Creation Care work and showed how the diocesan team have trialled centrally sharing resources using the diocesan website.

Speaking after the event, Lee Moscato, Director of Education, said: “We all left so uplifted by what this continued sharing will bring and so thankful for all that so many are doing to serve our children and young people and schools.

“It was a real opportunity to come together modelling the work of our schools – connecting in, out and up.  We had time to consider our roles and what we bring and want, we connected with others and through our work, and on the day, connect up, with God.”

Ruth Marriott, Director of Change and Renewal, said: “It was wonderful to see the number of people working with children and young people coming together to share their experiences, and make new relationships and partnerships.”