WELCOME!!!
Book mark this page if you want to keep up with what we're up to...
What we do & where?
Who are we?
Youth Associates
Jacob Project
STOP PRESS...
GREENBELT '08: 22-25 August: We'll be there! This year we've got our very own venue. Look out for the Northern Lights tent, just around the corner from the Performance Cafe, We're bringing together Church Action on Poverty, Fischy Music, The Iona Community, the Iona Community's Youth Department and Wild Goose Resource Group. Download your sneak preview Venue Programme.
WELCOME BACK... Helen Wass O'Donnell has just returned from her month travelling around a number of South African countries looking at various projects. If you'd like to read about her experiences on her travels log into her BLOG. Updated 18/06/08.
CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS.... Are you 18-25 age bracket, available for 10 weeks, have a passport and an adventurous spirt. Check out http://www.myplatform2.com/. Supported by Christian AID, BUNAC & Islamic Relief, you will be working and living in communities in Ghana, South Africa, Peru, India, Malawi or Nepal. If you want to speak to someone to get more information contact Christian Aid Glasgow Office on 0141 241 6130
BEBO... The Youth Team have a Bebo page. Join here!
YOUNG ADULTS & YOUTH ASSOCIATES... Sign up to our Facebook group now - Iona Youth Associates.
YOUTH FESITVAL REUNION: 17 October 2008... SYHA Edinburgh. Book your space now!!! Contact Suet
NEW EDINBURGH OFFICE OPEN... St Georges West Church, 58 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh EH2 4RT -0131 260 9566 . We're not there all the time, but if we are we'll stop to say 'HI'. The Jacob Project, Helen and Jean will be the main inhabitants of this space.
'08 ON IONA
God, Sex & Soul: Spirutuality and Sexuality: 30 August - 5 September
To book your place on any of these weeks or would like more information about the weeks, then get in touch with the Bookings Office on Iona (01681 700 404) or email ionacomm@iona.org.uk
If you can't make it to any of these weeks, then consider going up with some friends to an Open Week or a Part Week at the MacLeod Centre. Or why not have an adventure at Camas, our environmentally friendly Outdoor Activity Centre on the Isle of Mull?
If you'd like us to do a workshop with your Youth Group, Club or church Group then please don't hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your requirements.
WHAT WE DO AND WHERE...
We have a wealth of experience in working in a Youth Club/Group Environments, . Members of the team will help plan sessions and assist you in setting up and participating in games, activities and workshops for your group.
We can draw upon a wide range of workshops which have been developed and delivered over the years to challenge young people on issues important to them.
For more information and more details of what we offer, you can download our leaflet here.
IN SCHOOLS...
Laura McAleese is our key worker for schools. She has worked in a number of schools around Glasgow including Holyrood, Bellahouston Academy,Castlhead High and St Thomas Aquinous.
She provides a wide range of workshops which are matched to the curriculum for Religious and Moral Education in both secular and faith environments. Laura can deliver individual workshops or put togther a workshop package to be delivered over a set time period.
We participate in REMS (Religious Education Movement in Scotland) Speakers for Schools Scheme and can provide a speaker for assemblies and conferences on a wide variety of subjects.
IN CLUBS & THE COMMUNITY...
Pam Breen is our Rank Foundation Supported Youth Worker. She has worked with the Community on Iona as a volunteer for a number of years and is an active Youth Associate.
Pam will be developing links with our Community Groups and will also be helping Laura with the Schools Work.
YOUTH ASSOCIATES
Some 40 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from the UK and Europe and who have all shared the 'Iona Experience' undertake to commit to the Iona Community on an annual basis.
The Youth Associates Common Ideals are:
- To challenge and contribute to the life of the Iona Community
- To support each other
- Share common values of justice & peace, time, spiritual growth and the exploration of faith
- To encourage other groups of people to join the Youth Associates
- To meet regularly as Youth Associates
- To act in our own areas with the support of other Youth Associates
For an annual fee of £17.50 there are numerous opportunities open to you. You will:
- Receive regular copies of the Iona Community magazine 'The Coracle'
- Receive the Youth Associates booklet.
- Contribute to and receive the annual Youth Associates magazine 'Juicy Bits'
- Have the opportunity to be involved in leading Youth Events in your area/country.
- Meet annually to share stories with other Associates, spend time together and discuss pertinent issues.
- Become involved in your local Members' Family Group.
- Become involved in the wider work of the Iona Community
- Have regular contact with other Youth Associates
If you would like more information or would like to consider becoming a Youth Associate, then please contact Lynn Harper Baldwin, our Membership Secretary.
The Jacob Project was started and developed by Time For God, a Christian volunteering organisation, who saw the need to help ex-young offenders reintegrate with society via voluntary work, after their time in prison.
The Iona Community first became involved when TFG got in touch and offered us one of their candidates to work on Iona. The partnership worked well and the candidate responded positively and is now in full time employment.
The Iona Community is now the sole provider of this important resource for ex young offenders. We have a dedicated team who meet with prison chaplains and young offenders to prepare them for the Project. We have a stringent selection process and work closely with the chaplains, prison officers and governors.
Maggie Black is our main throughcare worker and she is assisted by Jean Oliver.
Laura McAleese, our Youth Project Worker, also runs workshops for the young offenders in Polmont YOI once a week.
THE YOUTH TEAM
Helen Wass O'Donnell - Youth Development Co-ordinator/Manager: An energetic and experienced facilitator and communicator, Helen leads workshops and retreats as well as manages the Community's Youth Team. She is involved in the planning of Island events for young people and takes the lead in Youth Clubs' week. She also ensures that all members of staff who come into contact with young people undergo rigorous Child Protection Training so that they conform to Iona Community CP Policy. Helen is also Project Leader for the Jacob Project - the Community's throughcare project for ex-young offenders. She is a potential marathon runner and the resident labyrinth expert.
Laura McAleese - Youth Project Worker: Laura has a wealth of experience working with schools and groups in the East end of Glasgow. She specialises in creative and performing arts. Laura also works closely with the chaplaincy team in Polmont YOI. She is an avid Ocean Colour Scene fan.
Pam Breen - Rank Foundation Trainee Youth Worker: Pam has been involved with the Iona Community as a participant in many events, a volunteer on Iona and as a Youth Associate. All this now culminates in her joining us as our Trainee Youth Worker. She likes karaoke and cheesy pop.
Suet Teo-Winter - Admin Support: Suet joined the Iona Community staff list some 6 years ago as an occasional part-timer and she's still here! She is one of the few people who has worked in every department of the mainland office. She has worked as a youth worker and as a PA in an international IT company. Suet often wishes she was either on top of a mountain or galloping off into the sunset but is content with a good night's sleep undisturbed by her 2 children.
Maggie Black - Jacob Project Throughcare Worker: The team's newest member. Maggie is an experienced youth worker having worked for a number of years in Glasgow. She is a busy mother of 2 and not only is she our throughcare worker but also continues to work as a youthworker.
Jean Oliver - Jacob Project Administrator: Jean Oliver is a member of the Community. She is an active demonstrator and it has been known for Helen to come to her rescue. Jean divides her time between working for a research group at Edinburgh University and the Jacob Project.
Carolyn Smyth - Carolyn has been recently appointed by Kathy Galloway, the Leader of the Iona Community, to work with us to strengthen links between us, the Community and the Young People we work with. She is a member of the Iona Community and is an ordained URC Minister.
