Did you grow up in a religious family or convert to Christianity later in life?

My Dad is a Vicar so I have always grown up going to church. I have always had faith in God and decided to be Confirmed when I was 14.


If you could converse with any historical figure of the Old Testament, who would you choose and why?

I'd choose Samson as he managed to do impressive things with a Donkey's jawbone.


Did you always have a calling to work with young adults?

I slightly stumbled into youth work. I was finishing at Durham University and had no real idea what i wanted to do next. I thought about trying to earn my way going on TV quiz shows but that idea really seem sustainable. I heard about a job with WCCYM which involved some sports and youth work as a gap year so I thought I'd give it a whirl, and quickly realised this was something I loved. So I trained with the Centre for Youth Ministry and qualified in 2006. So I wouldn't say I always had a calling but I know now that this is definitely what i should be doing with my life. I owe a lot to my youth worker when I was a teenager who showed me what a good youth worker should be!


What in your opinion are pressing issues facing youth in our community and how can members of Cambourne Church help?

Boredom is a big issue affecting young people in Cambourne. Whilst there are a great number of youth clubs, sports clubs and uniform groups for them to be a part of, Cambourne is still in a rural environment away from the town centres and so the young people do still lack activities and facilities, especially when a bus fare to Cambridge is now so high. This then can cause low self-esteem and can lead to getting involved in activities such as drug or alcohol misuse.
The most pressing issue however, is one that affects young people wherever they are, which is a need to be loved. It is therefore vital that we as a church get alongside as many young people in Cambourne as possible with that message that they are special, loved and are valued. This means meeting them where they are at whether that be on the streets, on the MUGA, at the youth clubs, in their schools, in church or wherever else. It is also really important that we offer them positive activities so that they feel good about themselves. We are always looking for more volunteers to support the work, whether that be face-to-face work, admin, providing food etc, so please get in touch!


Working with teenagers can be challenging but equally very rewarding. Please share a few of the many positive experiences you have had serving the youth in Cambourne.

I feel very privileged to have this job in Cambourne, and have had so many great moments with young people here since I started in 2006. Within the church I've loved seeing young people do the Talk or play in the band as part of the Sunday services. I've loved seeing young people just develop and go on to work or University, and it was great to see one become a youth worker in a nearby church as part of his gap year. I always love the Baptism and Confirmation services we have where the young people express their faith and commitment to God in front of their friends and family.
Residentials are always highlights, although absolutely knackering - walking up Snowdon with a group of lads was a recent great moment. It's always a fantastic moment seeing young people overcome their fears or achieve things they didn't think were possible. I love running the Cambourne 10k each year with young people in fancy dress for the sense of achievement and the comedy value! The Kenya trip was also an amazing experience.
For me the most special times with young people are on a one-to-one level where you get to chat with them properly and find out about things going on in their lives. It is amazing how many times you feel you are making such a difference doing something as simple as that.