Youth Tutor Positions

The youth work at Castlerigg Manor is done by the tutorial staff. This is made up of around 4 people, who are led by the Chaplain and Team Leader and may be assisted by gap year volunteers.

The quality of youth tutors is the key to Castlerigg Manor's high standards. Youth tutors are responsible for leading sessions, prayers, workshops, small groups, handling administrative and organisational aspects of the centre and interacting with school staff and pupils.

We are looking for applicants who:

• Are practicing Catholics able to demonstrate a real commitment to their faith through their words and deeds
• Have a genuine interest in the formation of young people and their futures
• Are honest, reliable and willing to work hard in a spirit of generosity
• Are well disposed to living and working as a member of a dedicated team
• Are able to communicate effectively with both young and older people
• Are willing to act as a positive role model for young people
• Are of good health and able to undertake regular activities such as fell-walking
• Demonstrate an ability (or the potential) to be able to lead group activities, educational sessions and chapel services
• Will show initiative in all aspects of life and work at the Manor
• Have an ability to get on with other people
• Have a sense of proportion and balance in life and who also possess a good sense of humour

The following skills are desirable in applicants (but not essential):

• Experience of working with other young people and adults
• Understanding of aspects of the Catholic faith
• Music/ singing
• Drama
• Computer/ ICT skills
• Good literacy/ numeracy
• Ability to drive

After a period of induction the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Prepare and deliver established educational workshops/sessions that concentrate on the personal, social and spiritual development of young people
• Lead and facilitate group work/ discussion
• Take an active part in walking and other outdoor activities which groups visiting the centre engage in
• Attend (and often lead) times of prayer and chapel sessions
• Help to prepare new educational material for the centre
• Undertake a variety of administrative duties to help with the running of the centre
• Take an active role in both the evaluation of courses and personal appraisal
• Extend hospitality to all visitors and groups, some of whom may not be using the Centre's educational facilities.
• Contribute to the community aspects of living and working together

By the end of the placement the candidate will have:

• Gained considerable experience in working with groups of all ages and backgrounds, especially teenagers
• Grown in confidence and in the ability to lead others and to speak in public
• Developed personal time-management and organisational skills
• An understanding of a variety of educational methods
• Been trained in preparation, delivery and evaluation of a variety of educational topics
• Experience in preparing and delivering workshops and prayer services suitable for young people
• First-hand knowledge of the management and running of such a residential centre
• Developed computer literacy and familiarisation with a wide range of office and educational equipment
• Deepened their knowledge and the living-out of their faith in daily life
• Enhanced their future employment/ vocational prospects

Voluntary Gap Year Positions

The gap year programme was started to enable Young People aged 18 and above who may not be eligible for youth tutor positions to experience ministry with Young People. Although the position is voluntary, food and accommodation are provided as well as a small amount of spending money per week.

The role of gap year volunteers is to assist the youth tutors in ministering to young people, delivering courses and doing the work of the centre. Most applicants are between A-Levels & University although there is no formal age limit.

We are looking for applicants who:

• Are over 18 (by the time of starting) and show a level of maturity
• Are practicing Catholics able to demonstrate a real commitment to their faith
• Have a genuine interest in the formation of young people and their futures
• Are honest, reliable and willing to work hard
• Are well disposed to living and working as a member of a dedicated team
• Present themselves well and behave in an appropriate manner as circumstances dictate
• Are of good health and able to undertake regular activities such as fell-walking
• Demonstrate an ability (or the potential) to be able to lead group activities, educational sessions and chapel services

The following skills are desirable in applicants (but not essential):

• Good communuication
• Experience of working with other young people and adults
• Understanding of aspects of the Catholic faith
• Music/ singing
• Drama
• Computer/ ICT skills
• Good literacy/ numeracy

After a period of induction the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Provide practical support for tutorial staff by helping research, prepare and deliver course material
• Assist in the delivery of courses through leading group work, walks and workshops
• Work in the office undertaking a variety of administrative duties
• Extend hospitality to visitors (including working in the bar and shop)
• Join in with the community life and the general work of the residential educational team
• Assist with some of the domestic work of the centre as instructed by the Chaplain/ Education Co-ordinator
• Undertake any sundry tasks appropriate to the nature of the post

By the end of the placement the candidate will have:

• Gained considerable experience in working with groups of all ages and backgrounds
• Grown in confidence and in the ability to lead others and to speak in public
• Developed personal time-management and organisational skills
• An understanding of a variety of educational methods
• Been trained in preparation, delivery and evaluation of a variety of educational topics
• Learned how to prepare workshops and prayer services suitable for young people
• First-hand knowledge of the management and running of such a residential centre
• Developed computer literacy and familiarisation with a wide range of office and educational equipment
• Deepened their knowledge and the living-out of their faith in daily life

NOTES:

1. The post is likely to commence late August 2008 and run till late August 2009
2. Residency at the centre is a requirement of the post, as is availability for work on a seven day basis (inc. Bank Hols)
3. Accommodation, food, bedding, heat and light are all provided
4. A small amount of pocket money will be provided each week
5. Holidays will be similar to those of other residential team members (i.e. 4 nights off each month, 2 weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter)

Community Life

Life at the Manor can be very demanding and that is why we place a great deal of emphasis on the support that we offer each other, living and working as a member of a team.

Those who wish to work at Castlerigg Manor should realise that residency at the centre is a requirement of the post, where a single room is provided.

A highlight of the week for many of the team is our Sunday evening meal. Normally there is no group staying in the building that night and so one of us will prepare the meal for the rest of the team. This is an important time for everyojne to relax before the beginning of the new week.

Each morning team members gather in the chapel to begin the day with the morning prayer. We usually follow the morning prayer of the Church, but at times we produce our own morning prayer with a specific theme relevant to out lives or a liturgical season.

Like those who work in other youth centre, the staff at Castlerigg have to make a good deal of personal sacrifice when they chose to live and work here. The work is truly 'vocational' and it would be fair to say that a post at a residential youth centre is more of a way of life, rather than simply a job. The Manor is a place of work and it is also a home for the residential team. This atmosphere provides not only a unique welcome for the young people and the adults who accompany them, but also vaulable and necessary support for those who live here.

For those who are really keen to contribute to the formation and education of young people in a Catholic Christian setting, a period of time at Castlerigg is a positive and life-enhancing experience. It is a challenge to work here, it is a challenge to live here, but it is also fun, supportive, rewarding and very satisfying.

The professional, human and spiritual development of each team member is an important part of life here. It is not only about what you can do for Castlerigg, but also what Castlerigg can do for you. Given that most of our youth tutors are recent graduates on a 2 year contract, their own on-going formation is a very important consideration. Many go on to teaching jobs or to other 'caring professions.'

During their time here the tutorial staff would develop skills in areas such as: communication, self-confidence, IT skills, liturgy and working with others, especially young people. They are helped in their personal and professional development by mentoring with senior members of the team and also by training sessions and a formal termly appraisal.