At-home resources for children's, youth and families' ministry

Keeping in touch with children, young people and families is so important in these uncertain and anxious times. Please find below some useful tutorials, resources, ideas and groups substantially based on one compiled by OneWayUk - see their list which they continue to update and supplement here

Websites

How to make your group or service digital

Safeguarding with online children/youth and families work

As well as the clear terms in the permission slip (above) and the full might of our Safeguarding team, in particular the diocesan Social Media Policy, the following from a colleague in another diocese may be useful - please note they are thoughts for consideration, not an endorsed policy from any diocese but could be helpful in this rapidly changing season:

First thoughts would be to query what training workers have  done on this, a basic for me would be at least an online digital awareness session such as   https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/professionals/training/kcso/ - £35 per worker . 

In terms of video conferencing - it obviously takes time to be skilled at using this format correctly and effectively as a youth worker. This  document provides pretty good guidance  and covers some of the key points to think about and operate safely. However, for me the age to access video conferencing would absolutely need to be 13+, so that it is more in line with wider digital and online social media policies and practice (Girlguiding do  NOT allow to video conference calls, WhatsApp  or contact under 13’s). 

Most youth organisations in my experience have avoided the use of video conferencing – which means the guidance is lagging behind. This is perhaps because of the issue of practical access to devices and technology (who does it exclude), putting vulnerable people being on camera and the lack of control over who else ‘appears’ on anyone’s camera, it blurs boundaries between home and church/club, the fact that it can unknowingly be  recorded if not via the platform then via another device viewing the call - and therefore the huge complexity of maintaining a safe environment.   

For me I think workers who do use video conferencing to connect with young people should do so with caution and not rush into it. Permissions need to be gained, training of staff/volunteers needs to be in place and codes of conduct clear. My own suggestion would be that as well as permissions and the guidance given here in any video conferencing only the workers/leaders should share their camera and control screen any slides/film, young people’s cameras should be disabled and they engage in the session through access to a live chat box and on screen polls and whiteboards for example.

How to talk about Coronavirus

Complete Teaching Sessions

  • Worship at home
  • Faith In Kids -  'ready-to-go' children's talks, RE Lessons, Sunday School Sessions, Kids Slots, All-Age Services and school assemblies!
  • Also join them on the Faith in Kids Facebook Page for live videos of 'kids church', Podcasts and blog posts
  • Being Church Together, Apart - Complete set of resources for all-ages (not just kids), new resources every week
  • Disorganised Sunday School Blog - Weekly videos with worksheets too
  • Jesus Without Language - a FREE weekly complete teaching resource for parents with kids aged 3-12. Each pack is only available for one week before a new one is posted.
  • Many more teaching packs are also available to purchase there too. Also find them on Facebook here
  • Hodge Hill Junior Church - Complete kids church teaching sessions with video links, stories and activities too
  • Ministry Ark - Family Devotionals released weekly
  • They also have a fantastic 'Worry Busters' printable activity pack here
  • Minno - Choose a worship video and Bible story video or devotional

General Ideas

Worship and Prayer

  • Rend Collective - Social Distance Worship Club! Live Facebook worship sessions, videos available afterwards too
  • Worship for Everyone - Great live video of all-age worship, teaching and fun with Nick & Becky Drake. More videos to follow. Find them on YouTube here for loads more content.
  • St Thomas Church in Kidsgrove have shared this great prayer card.

Online Toddler groups sharing videos and resources

YouTube/ Videos

Complete video services

  • Cool Bananas - Complete kids church programme running weekly sessions on YouTube (approx. 40 minutes)
  • LifeKids Plug & Play Kids Services - Full length video services for kids ministry, with interactive elements, worship and more! NOW AVAILABLE. New content each week through to Easter.
  • Find their website here and their Facebook page here.
  • Kidology - Complete online kids services
  • Go! Curriculum - Working to provide lessons for families at home, sign up on their page to be notified of new videos
  • Hillsong Kids - Complete kids church videos
  • Discovery Kids - Facebook Live kids services (Saturdays 10am)
  • Vineyard Kids - Weekly 30 minute complete online kids services

Animated Bible Stories

Teaching/ Worship

Page last updated: Tuesday 24th August 2021 9:43 AM
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