Youth Ministry in the Diocese of Northampton is overseen by members of the Bishop’s Council for Youth Ministry, which meets with the Bishop approximately three times a year. Members include two priests, experienced youth workers, both professional and voluntary, chaplains, and representatives from the RE sector and the New Communities.                                                                  The Council is chaired by Charles Whitehead, who has been a member since 1997. As chairman of the Council, Charles also manages Avril, and oversees the work of the office.

The Bishop's Council for Youth Ministry supports youth ministry in the Diocese of Northampton.  In partnership with young people and those that work with them, we actively encourage the personal and spiritual growth of our young people in their relationship with Jesus Christ and each other.

On the photo, back row: Neil Roseman, Pam Lewis, Liz Clark: front row, Avril Baigent, Matt van Duyvenbode, Stephanie Guirten, Brin Dunsire.

Avril Baigent is the Youth Ministry Co-ordinator, responsible for implementing our youth ministry strategy, which is based on the Y-Church Report of which she was the author. She normally works three days a week (Wed.-Fri.) and oversees the work of the Diocesan Youth Workers for Outreach, Discipleship, and Training (see below). 

Brin Dunsire is the part-time Funding Adviser for the Youth Ministry Office. He investigates sources of external funding for youth ministry at Diocesan and parish level. As he is also employed as the Diocesan Planned Giving Officer, he is effectively contactable full-time. He maintains the Funding section of this website. 

Stephanie Guirten joined us in May 2007 as Youth Project Assistant.  She has taken over the DYSpatches newsletter and this website, and her role involves much of the organisation and admin of our events like "lumos", and World Youth Day.

Pam Lewis started work in January 2007 as Diocesan Youth Worker for Training and Formation. Pam works throughout the diocese to provide training, to raise up adult leaders for undertaking youth ministry in parishes. Having been off work following a bad car accident in July 07, she is back in our office. 

Neil Roseman was team co-leader at the Ezekiel Project till December 2007 and is now working as a Diocesan Youth Worker for Discipleship. In particular he is looking after the Lumos weekends, the running of the Salt & Light course and programme development for young adults.

Matthew Van Duyvenbode  is the Diocesan Youth Worker for Outreach.  In this role, Matthew works with young people, leaders, catechists and schools to explore and implement new forms of youth evangelisation especially aimed at those not in regular contact with parishes. He is also responsible for the PYD course.

Liz Clark keeps everyone organised and together, and provides much-needed support (especially with finances) as our Administrator.  Liz also wears other hats in the Diocese, in particular as a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.

Youth ministry is principally carried out by enthusiastic volunteers in the parishes. There are four paid 'pastoral assistants' with responsibility for youth ministry. Most of these are located in the southern half of the Diocese.

National bodies, such as Youth 2000, the St Vincent de Paul Society, and the Knights of St Columba also have youth sections represented in the Diocese.