Volunteer Chaplains for YMCA DownsLink Group

Volunteer Chaplains for YMCA DownsLink Group

Could you make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable young people at YMCA DownsLink Group?

We are looking for volunteer chaplains to help run informal weekly chaplaincy evenings to support the residents who live at our housing projects in the following locations: Brighton, Hove, Eastbourne, Horsham, Worthing, Crawley, and Guildford.

We house young people, aged 16-25, most of whom stay around 2 years. Our young people face many barriers; we provide a place and space for young people to feel safe through our projects that will lead to better life chances and a positive future. Our volunteers are at the heart of our work to support and encourage young people to turn their lives around.

YMCA DownsLink Group has a Christian foundation and inclusive vision. Our chaplaincy service helps ensure our YMCA supported accommodation is unique. Our multi-faith chaplains make a difference to the lives of young people in our supported accommodation by providing a space to be heard, to have fun, and to eat together.

Could you be a volunteer chaplain and add real value to the work we do? We are looking for people of faith or belief who are kind, good listeners, non-judgemental, with a sense of humour, and a love of young people. As a volunteer chaplain, you will work as part of a team and spend time with the residents in their projects, cooking and eating with them, chatting, playing board games, and generally just being there for them. You will also receive training and support from one of our paid Chaplains.

We ask for a commitment of one evening (approximately 2 hours) every 2-3 weeks. The training is all online through ME learning. The six sessions are:

Contact Information:

1. West Sussex (Crawley, Worthing, and Horsham) – Samantha Burton, West Sussex chaplain : Work mobile: 07557855779 | Email: samantha.burton@ymcadlg.org
2. East Sussex and Guildford – Elly McKay-Smith, East Sussex and Guildford chaplain – Work mobile: 07884 549308 | Email: elly.mckay-smith@ymcadlg.org