The Diocesan Youth & Children’s Forum, under the chairmanship of Rt Revd David Atkinson, Bishop of Thetford, has the overall responsibility for diocesan youth & children’s work, its finances, direction and accountability.

Membership:
Clergy and Lay representatives from Diocesan Synod, the Youth and Children’s Task Force Conveners, the Diocesan Youth & Children’s Co-ordinator, Chair of Trustees of the Horstead Centre and the Diocesan Youth & Children’s Administrator.

The Diocesan Youth & Children’s Office and Resource Centre is based at The Horstead Centre, Rectory Road, Horstead, Norwich NR12 7EP.  It is the diocesan activity centre on the Norfolk Broads, offering residential and day facilities, land and water based activities to groups, schools and organisations.

The Diocesan Youth & Children’s Co-ordinator, Mark Heybourne, who is also the Manager of the Horstead Centre, oversees the work of the Task Forces and reports to the Forum.

The Task Forces, are voluntary groups. Members are active youth or children’s leaders, or clergy, from all over Norwich Diocese, with a heart for sharing Christ with children and young people.  They aim to be proactive and dynamic in their approach to meeting local needs:

• supporting and encouraging clergy, leaders and workers through activities, resources and training
• helping leaders and clergy to encourage children and young people to grow in their spiritual life
• promoting family, children and young people’s involvement in creating 'relevant' church in our parishes

Each Task Force meets 4 times a year and is led by a Convener.
Convener of the Youth Task Force is Revd Andrew Beane.
Convener of the Children’s Task Force is Margaret Woodham.

If you would like discuss joining a Task Force, contact us.

The Youth & Children’s Administrator, Tricia Elson, services the work of the Forum and Task Forces, manages the Resource Centre and advises on child protection procedures and training.  Contact with the Task Forces or Forum should be made through the Administrator.