YCW Group provide cheer & friendship through lockdown

Tuesday 14th July 2020

Lockdown hasn’t stopped the YCW Impact Group at St Joseph’s in Ramsbottom from reaching out and connecting with those in need of a friendly hello.

As the country became locked down, the Impact group received a donation from TK Maxx of boxes of chocolates, tea, pasta and biscuits.

Members of the group – nine young people aged between 12 and 17 – decided to make up care packages which were affectionately known as ‘Little Bags of Cheer’.  These were delivered to the parish’s elderly community to bring them a smile as they faced the isolation which impacted us all.

As well as this, over 100 ‘Keeping in Touch’ cards were sent to older members of the parish community and some older members of the parish have been receiving weekly phone calls from members of the Impact group which have been described by recipients as a ‘lifeline’.

They have also been collecting food donations for the local food bank. As their church was closed, the local high school got involved and acted as a drop off for donations.

The impact group’s weekly meeting has gone digital and now they meet online to play Bingo or write their own quizzes for a prize – which has so far been a pizza delivered to your house, or one star-baked made a homemade loaf which the winner gratefully received!

Parish priest Fr Frank has been receiving calls from the parishioners who received the kind gifts and note cards saying how pleased they are and that the contact has repeatedly made their day.

The group hope to be able to meet face-to-face again soon, maybe in a park, but it’s evident that despite being apart in person, their actions have kept the community knitted tightly together.

Impact is a programme and project of the Young Christian Workers movement in England and Wales. It is made up of young people aged between 11 and 17 who meet regularly in groups in parishes, schools or local communities.

If you’d like advice or support in starting a youth group in your parish, contact our Diocesan Youth Ministry Manager, Lorraine Leonard by emailing lorraine.leonard@dioceseofsalford.org.uk or calling 0161 817 2250

Tagged | Around the Diocese