CAFOD Step into the Gap UK placements 2017 – 2018

CAFOD gap year volunteers live in a UK placement and volunteer alongside CAFOD for one academic year. Accommodation and living expenses vary, along with the start and finishing dates. Holidays usually follow the school or university holidays.

2 – 3 weeks of the year is spent visiting CAFOD partners and communities in the global South.

General skills, experience and personal attributes required for the programme

  • Openness to new experiences, to learning new things and growing in your own faith
  • Interested in global justice, with a desire to put faith into action and to inspire others to act
  • Ability to communicate effectively in a range of ways with different people, especially young people
  • Ability and confidence in giving talks and presentations
  • Willingness and ability to share about your faith experience
  • Ability to work with others as part of a team
  • Self-motivated

Specific skills and experience for each UK placement

Please see the specific interests, skills and experience for each placement below.

Placement / Description of placement / What will I be doing? / Where will I be living? / What specific interests, skills or experience will I need? / For further info
The Briars, Derbyshire / Residential Youth Centre for the Diocese of Nottingham. / Working as part of a team with young people on residential retreats, outreach to parishes, schools and other Diocesan Youth events. / In community with other young adult volunteers. / A desire and ability to work with young people exploring their faith and global justice, while growing in your own faith. / The Briars website
Call Angela Gillespie on
01773 852 044e-mail
St. Cassian’s Centre, Kintbury, West Berkshire / Residential Youth Centre owned by the de la Salle brothers / Working as part of a team with young people on residential retreats, outreach to schools and other youth events. / In community with other young adult volunteers. / A desire and ability to work with young people exploring their faith and global justice, while growing in your own faith. / St. Cassian’s website
Call Emma on 01488 658 267 email
Leeds Trinity University, Leeds / Single campus Catholic foundation university with 3,600 students / Supporting the campus wide mission of the Chaplaincy through building relationships, promoting global justice and contributing to the spiritual and community life of the University. / In halls of residence with students on campus. / Personal interest in and knowledge of international development and global justice. A willingness to engage with students and staff and commitment to personal faith development. Opennessand respect for other people’s experience. / Leeds Trinity University website
Call Hannah Hayward on 0113 283 7199 ext 435
e-mail
Newman University, Birmingham / Single campus Catholic University with 3,000 students and 21 subject areas. / Promoting global justice to students and staff in a Catholic University Chaplaincy team, as well as outreach within local CAFOD networks. / In halls of residence with students on campus. / Experience of studying at a university is desirable. Interest in and knowledge of international development and global justice issues. A willingness to share other people’s experience and respect alternate views. / Newman University website
Call Margaret Hollandon
0121-476-1181 ext 2473
e-mail
St. Mary’s College
Blackpool / A mixed secondary school in Blackpool. / Based at St Mary’s, with some time spent in primary schools and the local parishes. You will work with the Chaplaincy team to create and lead prayer and assemblies, work with small groups and individual students, and raise awareness about CAFOD and social justice issues. / With one other Step into the Gap volunteer in shared accommodation. / An openness to grow in faith; creativity; initiative; passion to make a difference; the ability to communicate with young people, school staff and members of the local community. / St. Mary's website
Call Christine Smith on 01253-442-591
e-mail
Youth Ministry Team, Consett, near Durham / Youth Service for the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. / Working as part of a team with young people on residential retreats, school missions, other Diocesan Youth events and festivals. / In community with volunteers from the UK and overseas in shared accommodation. / Desire to make social justice issues relevant to the lives of young people whilst growing in your own faith and passion for global justice. / YMT website
Call Phillip or Mel on
01207-592-244e-mail