Putting 'faith' into education

A Christian faith-based project on Newland Avenue in Hull called Rhema Youth Works, is helping to tackle educational problems in the city.

The organisation, which was born out of Hull Community Church, works with young people who would often be excluded from school.

By providing practical training opportunities in subjects like First Aid and Health and Safety they aim to see teenagers leave school with qualifications in areas which will then enable them to get a job.

Steve Green, project manager for Rhema Youth Works, said: "There is two sides to our work. One is open youth work, where young people can come into the centre and use our facilities, and then the other side to our work is a learning support programme, with young people from local secondary schools. "

A lot of the young people we have are disengaging with school so if they didn't come here they wouldn't achieve anything. Naomi Fitzpatrick, support worker

"Our youth work is aimed at young people who some people would call social exclusion agenda. We say they are young people who need support, help or assistance."

The project takes around nine teenagers per session who have been sent to the centre by various secondary schools in Hull.

One of the support workers is Naomi Fitzpatrick who said: "The aim of the course with the year elevens is to prepare them to leave school and go out and get jobs. The work is less academic than if you were doing GCSEs at school, though there are some academic elements to it. We try and make it a bit more fun and a bit more practical.

"A lot of the young people we have are disengaging with school so if they didn't come here they wouldn't achieve anything. Some of the young people wont be doing any GCSE's but by achieving something from the courses we provide they will have something to show for it."

She added: "And the faith side to their work is important but something that they don't force upon the youth who are on one of their courses."

Steve Green went on to say: "I think the fact that we are a Christian faith-based project means our staff team are Christians and I think that reflects then in the way we handle the young people.

"It reflects in the way we respond to young people. We are happy to talk about our faith, we are happy to talk about our beliefs with young people, and we will offer to pray with them about situations if that's the right thing to do."