The Catholic Diocese of Northampton commissioned the "Y Church Report" as part of a major new strategy for youth ministry.  The research done by Avril Baigent in 2001/02 included a search of the literature in this area; a wide-ranging questionnaire, and series of focus groups with young people; a survey of every parish and school in the diocese; and a comprehensive look elsewhere for good practice, including a trip to the States.  As a result the strategy takes the best advice from both academics and practitioners, applies it to the current situation in Northampton, and provides a way forward.  At the present time, the Report still provides the foundation of the innovative work being done in our Diocese

The report, published in late summer 2002 and still fresh and relevant, covers postmodernism and the cultural world of young people; teenage spirituality; the Church in the world today; and youth ministry both within and outside the diocese.  It concludes with a look forward to the kind of structures needed, a detailed plan for the implementation, and the cost implications of the strategy.
Drawing on the collected wisdom of the Christian youth work community, the report is useful to all those working with young people in a Christian setting. 

The report is available in two forms: the full version, and a much shorter work-book version, to be used in parishes and schools which is available from the foot of this page as a free download. We'd love to know if people around the country - or elsewhere ! - are reading it, so please let us know if you download it and send a message to info@nymo.org
For paper copies (£3.00 + p/p) or the full version (£10 + p/p), contact Liz

There is also a process, outlining a series of three meetings, which will help groups to apply the lessons learned to their own situation.  The shortened version and process can be downloaded here. For an example of how the process has been effectively used in the parish of St Peter's, Rushden, click here. If you would like to quote from it, please include the following acknowledgement: © Avril Baigent, RC Diocese of Northampton, 2002.  

Downloads
Y Church report - shortened version