Children and young people are being offered the chance to help shape the Church of England’s vision for the next decade through the creation of National Younger Leadership Groups.

Split into primary, secondary and further education groups, this is an opportunity for children and young people’s voices to be heard on topics such as diversity, social justice, environment and more.

The three groups will include 100 participants each who have made a one-year commitment. During the year, there will be three consultation events (in November, February and June) and two online leadership development opportunities in January and March. Those nominated will need to be accompanied by an adult from their school for each session.

The initiative, which is part of the Church of England’s Growing Faith programme, was launched by the Archbishop of York, The Most Revd & Rt Hon Stephen Cottrell. He said: “I am delighted to encourage young people from every diocese to take part in our three younger leadership groups this November – for your voices to be listened to and for the church’s thinking and direction to be shaped and led by children and young people.”

This programme also supports the Diocese of Truro’s new vision The Saints’ Way, which has made one of its five priorities to be ‘A Church that conspicuously celebrates children and young people at its heart’.

Each diocese has been asked to nominate three or four students from each of the primary and secondary age groups. We are keen that our diocese is represented and so we now extend the invitation to you to nominate students from your school for these groups.

To nominate a student please email education@truro.anglican.org by 12 noon on Friday, October 14, 2020. Nominations can either by written or recorded and need to outline why the young person wants to get involved. Please confirm parental permission to participate in your nomination.