Leeds Faith in Schools exists to be good news to the highs schools in Leeds. For over 30 years we have worked together to find ways the local church and Christian community can support their local high school. Most frequently this is through the employment of our youthworkers who visit schools to deliver RE, PSCHE lessons and assemblies, mentor individuals and small groups and host a range of recreational activities to support both Christian pupils (such as a Christian Union) and those of other faiths or none. We work with all young people, believing that every young person is valuable and has a unique contribution to make to their school community as well as local and global communities.
Our lessons contribute to the curriculum and we tailor each of our sessions to meet the outcomes set by schools for those sessions, providing pupils with the opportunity to question and explore Christianity through the eyes of a believer.
If you are looking for a particular contribution, community project or support for pupils in your school please contact us to see how we can help.
What we do can be broken down into three areas…
Pastoral
Within our time in schools, one of the main uses of our time is to assist pastoral support. We provide one to one mentoring with students highlighted by the school staff, single sex groups that focus on self esteem and relationships, and opportunities for spiritual exploration by running prayer spaces and retreat days.
Educational
Most prominently, in our partner schools and additional schools where there is capacity within the team, we deliver seasonal lessons at Christmas and Easter, sharing the Christian message of these significant festivals. As well as this, we deliver lessons throughout the year on a variety of topics within RE and PSHE. We also deliver assemblies on a range of issues.
Recreational
At Leeds Faith in Schools, we believe that life should be fun, and we bring that in our recreational activities. Whether it’s running lunch clubs in schools, drop ins after school in local churches near to the schools, running Rock Solid groups or Christian Unions, we believe that all young people should have access to a safe place to relax and enjoy themselves.
Drop Ins
One of the most significant challenges facing young people today is the crisis of loneliness and the challenge of belonging. Statistics suggest that 24% of teenagers experience loneliness often, and 7% at all times. In the face of this we believe our young people need as many opportunities as possible to build connections, make friends and find a place to belong.
Working closely with our local church and community partners we hope to ensure that supportive, open youth groups are accessible to the young people in each school we serve. Through volunteers, community partnerships and connections we work to develop, grow and support these local drop in groups, to ensure our young people have a supportive community space outside of school in which to be part.
Each of these groups looks slightly, shaped by the young people involved and the needs of the local community. We continue to work to see the wider picture of youth work in Leeds strengthened, and hope to encourage our wider communities to be welcoming to young people.
Why partner with us?
LFIS has developed a strong reputation as a trusted and dependable partner through years of dedicated service to our city. Our team’s commitment to making a meaningful difference in school communities, combined with our adaptability, results in tangible impacts on the lives of young people and the broader school communities we partner with.
We believe our values led approach paired with our commitment to understanding the lives of young people around Leeds enables us to be the answer to some of the most significant needs faced by schools today. With our desire to serve, and our willingness to adapt to the needs of each school, our team has so much to offer to you and your local school community.
For each school this partnership looks different, from ad hoc lesson or assembly input to long term weekly pastoral work our team are committed to growing to support as many schools as possible in Leeds.
The work of Leeds Faith In Schools is defined by our partnerships and connections with schools, churches and local communities. We are proud to support schools across this city but desire to be present, and active in as many communities across Leeds as we can.
We would love to partner with you, whether you are a school in Leeds in need of support, a church with a passion for your local school or an individual with a desire to make a difference.
To discuss our team supporting your school or to explore a formal partnership with LFIS please contact our Charity Leader – Ben Cordy.
Or if you are part of a local church, or wish to support our work as an individual there are lots of ways to stand with us. Please contact our Operations Lead – Emma Chadwick.
We look forward to connecting with others who share our passion for young people, this city and the call to be ‘Good News’.
