We aim to encourage young people into a relationship with Christ and fully into the life of the Church.

What's on

  • YMT Co-Workers

    Adult Leaders

    Representing the many people across our parishes and different organisations in the diocese who are involved in youth ministry, we give people the opportunity to network, share ideas and work together with YMT.

  • Pope John Paul II Award

    Year 12- 13

    An award scheme for Year 12-13 students living or going to school in the Diocese, the Award will enable you to become more actively involved in the life of your parish and community.

Have your say

Have you got something to tell us or a story you wanted to share? Please use this form to tell us

what you think. Submitting this form will generate an email to the Youth Ministry Trust and does not automatically publish your story on our website. Names and email addresses will not be published.

What you've been telling us

Without you we're youthless

First Summer Festival in 2001 at Ushaw College

Our story so far

The Youth Ministry Team was established in 1994 by Bishop Ambrose Griffiths to answer the call of the Second Vatican Council: ‘The young should be the first apostles of the young, in direct contact with them, exercising the apostolate by themselves, among themselves, taking account of their social environment’. (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, 12)

From the beginning, we gathered together young adults from all over the world to live in community and to give school missions. At the heart of the mission experience is the message of God’s unconditional love for each one of us. Over the last 20 years, this community has continued to be at the heart of the work of YMT providing peer ministry through the generosity of young volunteers from almost every continent.

 

We aim to help young people to discover their own unique value and to reach their full potential. We have developed a strategy of school missions, residential retreats and local area youth ministry. We supports the adults who work with young people, helping them to provide opportunities for young people to grow in faith and take their place in the Church sharing their unique gifts and taking up their responsibility in the world.

 

In 2010, the Emmaus Youth Village, formerly known as 'Youth Village', was opened, a residential centre which allowed us to offer a truly holistic experience which creates a lasting impact on those who participate and enables young people from many different backgrounds and starting points to explore faith and life issues in a relevant and interactive way.

Our Ministry

We begin the process through initial proclamation, whereby the team carry out various activities such as school missions, outreaches, and monthly events. It is in these activities that we present the Gospel in an interesting and radical way, through drama, dance, music, and multimedia – a language that is most effective and appealing in today’s youth culture.

Initial Proclamation

Retreats and Follow-up

Area Development

Each mission reflects upon the basic gospel message, presenting in a lively, modern and interesting way the God of Love whose desire is that all of us reach our full potential. We proclaim and announce God who accepts us where we are and loves us so much that he challenges us to grow and experience the fullness of life (Jn 10:10).

Recognising evangelisation as a process, we enable young people to experience a retreat and to grow in their faith in an environment where they will feel comfortable and relaxed. YMT strongly believes that retreats are a very important part of the faith journey of our young people and is essential to our work in evangelisation.

We hope that, through the support of parish or deanery area groups, young people can experience a sense of belonging and be enabled to grow as members of the Church community in faith and service. The training and support of adults is an important part of this process.

Number of young people we have encountered,

 so far, from August 2017

446

Young People

Overview

Get a taste of a life of a Gap Year Team Member

The Youth Ministry Team (YMT) gathers together young people (18-30) from all over the world, from August to July, to live a community lifestyle and work as part of a team. The Gap Year Team members are given training, ongoing formation and support while they embark as a team, planning and carrying out school missions, retreats and activities for the young people of the diocese.

 

Since we started in 1994, we have had members from all over the world such as the USA, Philippines, Australia, and Cameroon, to name a few. Gap Year Team Members must be willing to grow in a relationship with God, learn more about their faith and help other young people on their faith journey.

 

We are constantly amazed and uplifted when young people of all ages respond and receive a new vision and a new insight into themselves and the God who loves them. The work of the Gap Year Team is essential work and is a life changing experience both for them and for those to whom they minister.

Applications to work with our Gap Year Team in August 2018 are now open.

Requirements

18-30 years old

willing to grow in a relationship with God

willing to learn more about our faith

willing to create new ways of communicating the Gospel

willing to help other young people in their relationship with God

CAFOD Partnership

Step into the Gap is an exciting new venture for CAFOD and YMT that offers a joined up programme for leadership development during a Gap Year. It consists of a rounded experience, with elements that take place both overseas and in the UK, which allows participants to explore and express their faith and develop their abilities to take a lead in bringing about a more just world. It bridges the 'gap' between the elements of adventure and service that occur in many traditional year out schemes.

UK Experience

Overseas Experience

  • Work with an international team and community with YMT
  • Receive training and formation in communicating the Gospel to young people
  • Work with young people in a variety of settings: school, parish, retreat centre
  • Bring new perspectives from your overseas placement to enrich the community
  • Bring new perspectives to the work of CAFOD in the UK
  • Discover things you didn't know about yourself as you develop new skills
  • Explore your faith
  • Take up a four to six-week work placement in Africa, South America or Asia with a CAFOD partner on grassroots community development projects with others from the UK
  • Training and preparation before you go
  • Get to know a country in a way that you never could as a backpacker
  • Get to know a community in depth - eat, drink, sleep, work, pray, celebrate, and share your life with those you meet
  • Be prepared to be changed by the encounter
  • Make new friendships
  • Discover new perspectives
  • Explore your faith
  • Reflect on your role in a global society

Team 2017-2018

  •  

    Abigail Boyd
    Darlington, UK

    I joined YMT because God loves us and I want to spread this truth to young people.

    Enthusiastic Friendly Joyful

    Wednesdays
    Thursdays

    Mornings
    2pm

    Autumn
    Wet Winters

    Taylor Swift
    Jess Glynne

    Science
    Design & Technology

    Spotify
    File Manager

    For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11

  •  

    Alex Pizzoni
    Ludlow, UK

    I joined YMT because I wanted to develop confidence in working with young people and deepen my relationship with God.

    Caring Compassionate Attentive

    Fridays

    Tuesdays

    9pm (Late)
    5am (Early)

    Mid-Autumn
    Early Spring

    The Killers
    Boyzone

    Maths,Latin
    Biology, Art

    Temple Run
    Messenger

    Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. – Matthew 5:9

  •  

    Andrea Hemmings
    Stanley, UK

    I joined YMT because I wanted to ‘point people towards the Son’!

    Joyful Clumsy Tall

    Sundays

    Thursdays

    Dessert Time
    Before Meals

    Christmas
    Dark Mornings

    Beyoncé
    JLS

    Religious Education
    Maths

    Spotify
    Alarm

    I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:14

  •  

    Charlotte Atkins
    Bristol, UK

    I joined YMT because I loved last year and I wanted to contiinue working for YMT.

    Energetic Happy Creative

    Thursdays
    Mondays

    Early mornings

    Mid afternoon

    Late Spring

    Autumn

    The Script

    Taylor Swift

    English, Sport

    Physics

    Hidden Objects
    Pokemon Go

    Finally, all of you, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. - 1 Peter 3:8

  •  

    Clare Nelson
    Whitley Bay, UK

    I joined YMT because I wanted to inspire young people to find God in their lives.

    Warm Sparkly Smiley

    Fridays

    Mondays

    6pm

    8am

    Easter

    Autumn

    Rachel Platten

    Skrillex

    Physical Education

    History

    Facebook

    Pokemon Go

    Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. - Isaiah 55:1

  •  

    Hannah Collinson
    Billingham, UK

    I joined YMT because I wanted to inspire young people do amazing things.

    Smiley Welcoming Faith-filled

    Saturdays

    Mondays

    Bedtime

    6am - 8am

    Christmas
    English Summer

    Kings of Leon

    Jess Glynne

    Science

    History

    Instagram

    Clash of Titans

    Do not fear, for I am with you. - Isaiah 41:10

  •  

    Hannah Pearson
    Stockton-on-Tees, UK

    I joined YMT because I l want my faith feel more relevant to young people.

    Quirky Crafty Colorful

    Fridays
    Mondays

    Sunset

    Early mornings

    Easter/Spring

    Summer

    Lionel Ritchie

    Justin Bieber

    Textiles

    Physical Education

    YouTube

    Candy Crush

    Clothe yourself in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity. - Colossians 3:12-14

  •  

    Jamie Donaldson
    Pittington (High)

    I joined YMT because I have heard so much about it and really wanted to be part of it.

    Energetic Positive Joyful

    Fridays

    Tuesdays

    7pm
    2pm

    Easter

    Winter

    Tunde Adebimpe

    Lapalux

    Art & Design

    English

    Geometry Dash

    Clash Royale

    Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put in the armour of light; let us live honourably as in the day. Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 13:11-14

  •  

    Joshua Nichol
    Consett, UK

    I joined YMT because I wanted to give back to the process that help me so much.

    Funny Talkative Competitive

    Football Day

    Mondays

    Evening

    Morning

    Easter

    None

    John Williams

    Rick Astley

    Politics

    Maths

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Why have I found favour in your eyes, since I am a foreigner. - Ruth 2:10

Gap Year Interest Form

YMT Stories

Phillip Salkeld

Fr Paul Verla

Anna Forsberg

Gap Year Programme

Get more in life. Experience a YMT Gap year.

Booking Query

Welcome to Emmaus Youth Village

Opened by Ant & Dec, the Emmaus Youth Village is at the heart of the North East region and is in close proximity to many famous landmarks and attractions including Durham Cathedral, Bede’s World, Holy Island, Hadrian’s Wall, Beamish Museum and the Metrocentre.

 

The Emmaus Youth Village, which houses a group of international volunteers living in community, provides a variety of youth ministry opportunities across schools and parishes throughout the region.

 

Guests to the Emmaus Youth Village will enjoy state of the art facilities which include an auditorium and dining hall accommodating up to 98 people. They can stay in twin and triple en-suite bedrooms spread across four attractive chalets and use spacious gardens, playing fields and a chapel for prayer and reflection.

 

In addition to the young people who are invited to use the Emmaus Youth Village for retreats, it also offers an ideal venue for different occasions such as adult conferences and meetings.

 

Key Features:

  • Large Capacity Auditorium and Dining Hall
  • 98 beds spread across 4 chalets
  • Twin and Triple en-suite Bedrooms
  • Underfloor heating
  • Surrounded by 60 acres of land
  • Wi-Fi Facilities
  • Disabled Access
  • Areas for prayer and reflection

Booking Query

Pope John Paul II Award

The Award was created to commemorate the late Pope John Paul II who was so committed to young people and who had such belief and confidence in them.

 

Through the Pope John Paul II Award, young people in the Hexham and Newcastle Diocese will be enabled to take an active part in the life of their Church, in the life of their community and society, and also become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world. This will enable young people to engage at a deep level with Christ, whose body the Church is.

 

It will allow young people to understand that religion and faith are not just for learning, nor are they a list of rules, but that they are for living.

Encouraging Parish Awareness

Encouraging Social Awareness

When we are baptised we become members of the Body of Christ. This means that we are called to be the presence of Christ in the world. As the Body of Christ, we belong to the community of the Church. We live out this belonging in our parish. For the Church, for the Body of Christ to be fully alive everybody needs to be actively involved. There are many things we can do in our parish.

 

Examples of activities that can be done for your Award in the parish are:

 

  • Reading at Mass
  • Altar Server
  • Eucharistic Minister
  • Member of choir/music group
  • Children’s Liturgy of the Word
  • Composing prayers of the faithful
  • Welcomer at Mass
  • Helping with sacramental preparation
  • Preparing articles for the parish bulletin
  • Church decoration/flower arranging/church cleaning

As members of the Body of Christ, through baptism, we make Christ present by the way we

treat others. Our faith is lived out most fully in our actions, which is why it is important to be aware of the needs of others and to minister to their needs. That is why ‘Social Awareness’ is such an important aspect of this Award.

 

Examples of activities in the area of Social Awareness that you could do for your Award are:

 

  • Member of St. Vincent de Paul
  • Young leader for CAFOD
  • Young leader at parish youth group
  • Running a fair trade stall
  • Fundraising for a charity
  • Regular visitation of residential homes
  • Supporting a residential retreat for young people
  • Working with the homeless
  • Raising awareness of the needs of others
  • Volunteering on a parish or community project to support the vulnerable, e.g. Justice and Peace

There may be other activities that you are involved in that are not included here but may be relevant, if so, please contact the Pope John Paul II Award Committee through your Parish or School Co-ordinator, for approval.

Instruction Video on how to fold the 'origami' Record Card

Contact us

 

Address: Emmaus Youth Village,

Pemberton Road, Allensford,

Consett, Co. Durham DH8 9BA

 

Phone: (+44) 01207 592244

Fax: (+44) 01207 592245

E-mail: admin@ymt.org

 

Office Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm

Frequently

Asked

Questions

Get in touch

Youth Ministry Trust

Emmaus Youth Village

Pemberton Road

Allensford

Consett

Co. Durham

DH8 9BA

T: 01207 592244

E: admin@ymt.org

F: 01207 592245

 

The Youth Ministry Trust (YMT) is a Company limited by guarantee registered in England No.07937704 Registered Charity Number 1146158 ©2016