What is the Alway Project?

Two years ago, The Lab began work in the Alway estate on the edge of Newport, forming a residential community of young adults to invest time into the local community and build relationships with local young people.

  • Alway has been identified as one of the most deprived areas in Wales
  • According to the 2001 census, nearly 50% of the population of Alway and the surrounding area is under the age of 25

The Work

The team’s work in Alway is constantly changing and expanding as new projects are developed and old ones are expanded. Here are some of the activities our team is involved in:

  • Innovative Youth Work / Chaplaincy project in Hartridge High School
  • Primary and Secondary School Assemblies and RE lessons.
  • Youth & Children’s Work in partnership with Bishpool Methodist Church
  • Detached Youth Work

Partner Churches

We are very thankful to the two local churches who have partnered with us in building up contacts and partnering with us to develop our work on the estate.

St Teilo’s Church (Church in Wales)

St Teilo’s Church and their vicar, Father Terry, have been incredibly supportive of the Lab. St Teilo’s is a congregation of faithful people who are strongly committed to their local community.

Bishpool Methodist Church

Bishpool Methodist Church, led by Anne Ellis, is just down the road from the two Lab houses, which is at the centre of the Bishpool community on the edge of Alway/Ringland. They have a long-running Children’s club and growing youth club which are attended by young people living in and on the edge of Alway.

Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeship is the term we are using to describe our gap-year or internship program. For us, an Apprenticeship is about:

  • Developing character as a leader and learning new skills.
  • Being given the space and flexibility to work in a role which suits you and fits in with your strengths.
  • Being mentored and discipled by more experienced leaders and by learning together with others through community life.
  • Engaging in real mission-oriented work with children, young people and communities.

Why do an Apprenticeship?

If you feel called to some form of church leadership or mission.
A Lab Apprenticeship will give you the opportunity to work out your calling whilst learning skills, theology and training in community with other young adults.

If you are thinking about doing or training for youth or community work somewhere else.
An apprenticeship will give you the chance to experience the practice of youth and community work, to get useful nationally accredited training, and to be a part of an innovative and pioneering project.

If you want to explore what it means to lead a missional lifestyle.
An apprenticeship will help you to learn the spiritual disciplines of living in community and leading a life which is focused on partnering with God in mission.

The Packages

Our apprenticeship program is highly flexible, and each placement will be worked to fit your strengths and gifts. Throughout the course of the apprenticeship, accommodation will be provided in one of the Lab community houses in Alway.

There are three different apprenticeship streams with us which are available:

Community Youth & Schools Work

Join us for a year to gain experience in youth work and school work for a year. Your responsibilities will include chaplaincy/relational youth work in the local secondary school, primary and secondary school assemblies and RE lessons, as well as other projects. We will encourage and fund you to take appropriate training, which will help you to hone your skills and test your sense of calling for youth or children’s work, mission or church leadership.

CYM Student Youth Worker

Join us for three years to gain experience of leading and managing a variety of different youth work, as well as pioneering and innovating new projects. During the three years, you will study for a degree in Youth & Community Work and Practical Theology with the Centre for Youth Ministry based in Bristol.

Part-time Apprenticeship

The is the most flexible of our apprenticeships for those who are interested in exploring community living and mission, but would also like to work at the same time. We’ll work out with you what bits of work you could be involved in, and figure out a schedule that fits. We’ll figure out a rent package based on what you can afford to pay.

Get more Information

If you’re interested in joining us for an Apprenticeship, we’d love for you pay us a visit as a way of getting to know us. If you have any questions, queries or would like to apply to join us then please contact us.