Background

The aim of CDYP is to support and develop youth provisions within the Roman Catholic Deanery of Croydon adhering to the policies and procedures of Southwark Catholic Youth Service.

CDYP is about supporting the schools and churches within the deanery that are undertaking youth ministry.  This can include helping with policy and procedures, help with training (child protection, data protection act, working with children and young people, health and safety, what is youth work), running occasional session, help with planning events.  Also CDYP create opportunities for young people to get together on a deanery level for friendship and support in growing in their faith.  CDYP also forwards information about up coming events.

Objectives

1. To provide encouragement and support in the establishment of youth groups, whether social, issue-based or religious in their nature.
   
2. To promote training courses and support for youth workers, both priest and laity.


3. To develop leadership among Catholic young people.


4. To promote the right of individuals and groups to become self-managing, to co-operate and to share power and decision making
   
5. To ensure that all working within youth ministry understand and have in place all policies and procedures the need to be adhered to in regards to working with young people, children and vulnerable adults.
   
6. To promote changes in structures, processes and expectations which oppress people and deny them access to resources and opportunities.

For over 15 years CDYP has been providing support and encouragement to the young people and adult leaders within Croydon Deanery, which is situated within Archdiocese of Southwark.

• With young people
• With young people in schools
• With those accompanying young people
• With Catechists


Working with young people in parishes
• Working with young people through the Deanery
• Encouraging and facilitating young people in meeting together on a regular basis within the local parishes and within the deanery
• Networking young people with Catholic Youth Movements and secular youth events
• Encouraging participation in youth events
Providing retreats opportunities

Working with young people in schools
• Resourcing and supporting the spiritual accompaniment of young people at school
• Assisting with school organised retreats
• Assisting with Faith Groups
• Building bridges between school and parishes


Working with those accompanying young people
• Building support network
• Providing training opportunities for those working with young people
• Raising the profile of youth ministry as a vital ministry within the deanery
• Encouraging the discernment and involvement of those with a gift for working with young people to take on this ministry


Working with Catechists
• Being a resource for catechists
• Facilitating and sharing good practice
• Providing further training opportunities
• Encouraging follow-up programmes in conjunction with those engaged in other forms of youth ministry within parishes, deanery and diocese


In addition, the project produces its own Newsletters, Youth Matters, and there are various documents and reports on the site for you to view and download.