Chaplaincy Programme

What is the overall idea?

The main description of the new volunteer chaplain role will be to provide for the pastoral needs of service users, volunteers and staff. They will assist young people, staff and volunteers to understand more fully life's events as they relate to their spiritual and emotional well-being that promotes their flourishing as people. The chaplains will play a linking / networking /representational role in external networks e.g. churches. All of this will be In partnership with the local General Secretary, the chaplain will play a role with the YMCA trustees in relation to how the mission is reflected in practice. In light of our Christian Ethos & discerning ways to further emphasise it & support people spiritually, this new volunteer role will attempt to provide focus & guidance.

What has been developed as of Oct 2020?

Anne, the National Coordinating Chaplain, alongside the General Secretaries (Cork, Dublin & Newcastle plus John Peacock) have recruited and interviewed 6 trainees. Anne has met with several chaplains across Ireland to discuss what the role should look like, what training needs to be given & what insights they have to share. Anne has & will continue to develop the 10-12 session training to happen over zoom through January/February 2021.

Recruitment materials can be found here.

What’s next?

Training has been developed (Google Folder here). Training started November 1 with trainer & 6 trainees (3 from Cork, 2 from Dublin & 1 from County Down area) over Zoom. Anne will continue to train the participants. Feedback evaluations will be completed by trainees every 3 sessions to evaluate the trainer & the material. We hope to finish the training at the end of January to then re-interview trainees to see if they are a fit to place in the centre.