It takes a village to raise a child

Ecclesall Road enjoyed a vibrant sight this week as about 20 joyful, chirpy teenagers swayed and nudged into position for a group photograph on our church steps. Kids from age 12 to 17 resplendent in matching hoodies and smiles, they were pumped and ready to go. Go where? To a night club? A festival, a theme park? No, to a Christian youth camp.

These teens then piled into the cars of their adult volunteer leaders, they filled a hired van full of tents, sleeping bags and wellies, they filled the air with banter. There were hopes of sunshine, the buzz of going camping (which, frankly, fills some of us with dread), the hope of flirting and fun.

To me, it was a very wholesome picture. Last week a major scientific study made the news, reporting a causal link between poor mental health in a person’s teenage years and poor physical health in later mid-life. Any youth work that helps teenagers to come to grips with life, to build friendships and even to endure a rainy camping weekend without the usual trappings of TV and the fridge, has to be a positive step.

For the past century some of largest, and without doubt the most sustained youth provision in the country, has come through local churches. Sheffield is no different. As a father of two teenagers, I’m so grateful to those young adults in our church (all carefully vetted for safeguarding) who are willing as volunteers to give up their weeknights to put on a youth club, and take annual leave so they can go away on a camp.

In the bible, St Paul said this: “Encourage young people to use good judgment. Always set an example by doing good things. When you teach, be an example of moral purity and dignity.” (Titus 2:6-7)

That’s a high standard that all of us should live by. We know the saying, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. After a pandemic year of challenge, when our city’s children have literally had to be locked up at home for long periods, quality youth work outside of school hours is more important than ever.

Young people are mostly a resilient and hopeful group. As I waved my teenagers off for the weekend, I was so grateful for all youth providers in our city and towns. If you are one of the many, usually volunteer, people investing your time and wisdom into the next generation, we say thank you.