Our values and ethos of hope derive from our understanding of God’s love for humanity. We believe all people are created, loved and valued by God, as revealed in Jesus. Therefore, we believe all young people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and that each young person can:

love, think, create, reflect, enjoy, achieve and make a positive difference to their world.

 

This positive, God-inspired view of humanity is central to our work. When asked about the young people we work with, we remember first that young people are our brothers and sisters, fellow human beings, created in the image of God. Often, young people are portrayed as other than this; as hoodies, thugs, criminals, economic units, and as ‘different to us’, as  ‘objects’ to be worked on and changed. We seek to hold our own and young peoples’ humanity as central to our work together.

We value; 

Jesus; his love for all people, the way he works with people, his mission and his kingdom

Young people; being with them and enjoying their company, their initiative and active participation

Prayer; relationship with God and God’s involvement in our lives and in the world

Hope; in God and young people and in their capacity to act for good

Informal education; listening, conversation, dialogue, reflection, democracy, learning through and about life, working with people (not on, to or for) and transformation

Community; commitment to the wider community and to collective action

a Christian ethos; commitment to people, humility, vulnerability, thoughtfulness and critical reflection, integrity, diversity and compassion in our work

‘Shalom’; justice, equality, well-being, wholeness, sufficiency, peace and taking an active stand against oppression, injustice and abuses of power

One another; (management, staff and volunteers), our calling to this work, our humanity, love, commitment and support of each other