This page will be constantly updated with more opportunities to attend training. To keep up to date with all training and events offered by the Children, Youth and Family Team and others, sign-up to receive The Well e-news here. You can also join The Well Community on Facebook.
NEW: CHILDREN'S MINISTRY ESSENTIALS TRAINING
The Children's Ministry Essentials programme is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to mission and ministry with children, whatever context you work in. Each module introduces the key concepts for the theme and then explores how these can be applied to both your practice and you as a practitioner. The modules will be split over three online training sessions, or some access to face to face facilitation.
Our prayer is that, as you watch, think, talk, jot down your ideas and put things in to practice, not only will you grow in confidence, but the children you are engaging with will grow knowledge and love of God.
Topics covered:
- The world of the child
- The developing child
- Biblical perspectives on children
- The role of play in faith formation
- Creating space for children in our church communities
- Inclusion
- Participation
- Contexts of mission and ministry with children
- Pastoral care
- Leadership and teamwork
ACCESS CHILDRENS MINISTRY ESSENTIALS
Introductory training cohorts starting Autumn 2026
The Methodist Connexional Team will be launching an introductory package of several free online training for cohorts of up to 24 people:
- November 2026
- February 2027
- May 2027
More information on how to Register will be available in September 2026.
Access online via Cliff College now
Individuals can access the course directly now via Cliff College. This costs £10 per Module or £80 for the full course. More details here.
Facilitators' package via Cliff College online
Also available from Cliff College, purchase a facilitators' package, which will allow you to train a specified amount of people per package. More details here.
After the initial free Connexional facilitated introductory training cohorts, circuits will be able to purchase further packages from Cliff College directly for individuals to access and complete online or to offer your own facilitated training package.
We will also be inviting each circuit to register one person to complete the online training for free through Cliff College directly (this will be communicated to Circuit Superintendents, who will be asked to recommend one person who can be an advocate for the training).
Coming soon: Family & Intergenerational Ministry Essentials
We are currently working ecumenically to create similar courses to inspire and equip people for family and intergenerational work in the Church. If you'd like to be kept in the loop about this work as it progresses, and be alerted when the training becomes available, please complete the expression of interest form.
YOUTH MINISTRY ESSENTIALS TRAINING
If you’re wanting to grow your confidence and skills working with young people in churches and community projects then this programme is just what you’re looking for. Youthscape Essentials offers the opportunity to spend time in community with other workers and volunteers, exploring together insights into the lives of young people, relevant skills and character development. It’s a perfect course for anyone involved in or interested in developing ministry with young people (aged 11-18).
Each session is divided into three sections: Insights, Skills and Character.
Download a PDF course summary here.
The material has been developed and piloted in a Methodist Circuit in partnership with Youthscape. If you have any questions about Youthscape Essentials training, please contact Lynne Norman.
THREE WAYS TO ACCESS YOUTHSCAPE ESSENTIALS
Option 1: Attend all or some of the abridged course running online
The Children, Youth and Family Team, in partnership with the Learning Network and others, will run the course online once a year. Sign-up for The Well News to be notified when the next course is advertised.
Option 2: Find a course running locally
There are regular courses being offered locally, and more and more Methodist licensed trainers around the Connexion. Details of local courses will be published here as we have them, or you can contact your local Learning Network representative to find out if it's possible to set-up a local course.
Option 3: Become a licensed trainer and run the course with your team!
It's really easy (and FREE) to become a licensed Youthscape Essentials trainer.
- Email Lynne Norman to express your interest.
- Sign-up to a Youthscape Essentials hosting workshop (online) on a date to suit you.
- Be given access to all the training materials, and also join with other Methodist trainers for ongoing support and ideas sharing.
This is a great option if you want to run the course with your own volunteers as a means of upskilling and building team together. You can do this as flexibly as you like!