Bromsgrove Listening Service

What is it?
We found as a parish that the local High Schools were overwhelmed with pastoral
issues arising amongst the students and that the schools were open and willing to
receive support from the churches of Bromsgrove. In response to this need, the
churches of Bromsgrove started what we now call the Listening Service.
‘Listeners’ are members of local congregations who give varying amounts of their
time to go in to the schools and simply listen to young people.
The Listening Service partners with The Hub, the Community Safety
Officer (Bromsgrove and Redditch Council), Ecumenical churches of Bromsgrove,
Worcester Diocese and most importantly South Bromsgrove High School and
North Bromsgrove High School.
What would I do?
As a Listener, you are either a member of a local Bromsgrove Church or are
sympathetic to this Christian cause. You would undertake mandatory training that
comprises of- Safeguarding training, basic listening skills and the DBS process.
You will commit to giving a certain amount of time on certain days that is catered
to your time schedule. You would also attend termly touch base meetings which
are designed to support you in your Listening. There is also a requirement to
undertake basic paperwork which consists of an initial evaluation done in the first
meeting with the young person and also a closing evaluation done in the last
session with the young person.
What do I need?
We don’t require any previous experience or training in working with young
people. We simply ask that you love young people and want to give your time to
listen to them.

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