The purpose of the link is to encourage one another, in a mutual concern to help each other in our mission to make Christ's love known. Each year, there are several exchange trips to and from South Africa. Here's a flavour of some of them.

Youth Work Leaders'

One of the great benefits of the link is sharing the experiences of youth work leaders. Youth work leaders from York have visited Cape Town to experience the rich variety of youth work in South Africa; to receive training, particularly through Fikelela's 'Agents of Change" programme, and to give something back through practical work. The experience is always positive and leaders come back energised. The personal links with chaplains and youth pastors add to our own development and growth.

Archbishop Holgate School Link with Cape Town

Archbishop Holgate’s School has fostered a great link with the Diocese of Cape Town, and have made several trips there.

Back in January 2012 the school was fortunate to be able to welcome a new pupil who joined them for a month from South Africa. As a fruit of their ongoing relationship with the Diocese of Cape Town the school played host to Ciara Mash who participated in an exchange with Hayley Neal from year 11. Ciara arrived into the UK on Boxing Day and came up to chilly York on 30th December to stay with the Neal family until the end of January. At that time Cape Town was sweltering in temperatures in the high 30’s, having hit 40 degrees centigrade at one point!

Getting more information

To find out more about the link, contact:

The Revd Canon Maggie McLean, chair of the Companion Link committee: missioner@yorkminster.org

The Revd Richard Nihill, School Link (Archbishop Holgate School): richardnihill@hotmail.com