In 2019 a report to General Synod stated that Dioceses in the Northern Province are losing under 16s at a rate of 35% a year. This is a shocking statistic but we are hopeful that our comprehensive strategy to support churches in their engagement with children and young people will not only stem the flow but start to reverse it.
What is important is that we listen to the children and young people so that we can better understand how to help them grow in knowledge and love of God, and reach out to their peers. We have a long-term plan to hear the voices of children and young people across the Diocese in the coming years, an online Youth Forum was formed which will be taken around the Diocese in due course.