The aim of the six session course is to raise awareness of the power of Listening to young people in schools or in youth clubs and in everyday life.
By equipping older teenagers with some of the skills needed to listen effectively to younger teenagers.
The course follows a similar pattern to other Acorn listening courses for adults and children, including elements of listening to ourselves, to others and to God.
While the Christian Faith is at the heart of Acorn’s work, this course has been written with understanding and sensitivity so that its benefits can be offered to anyone or everyone of any faith or none, without any conditions attached.
The purpose of the course is to train groups of 12-16 older teenagers in secondary schools or youth clubs in listening.
Sometimes our young trained listeners operate as part of a mentoring scheme or a personal and social education programme in their schools.
In other situations, they are able to listen to the needs of younger members of their youth or social club.
The course grew from the vision of an Acorn listener tutor with experience as a Head Teacher in a large multi ethnic Secondary School.
This experience led to a growing realisation of the needs of young people to be heard. It also highlighted the importance of listening to young people and the role that older students can play in helping younger ones to cope with the difficulties and pressures of everyday life, such as bullying and peer pressure.
Our purpose is to address the spiritual vacuum that exists within many young people’s lives and as Christians reach out into the world with empathy, compassion and respect through good listening. I am perhaps too keen to tell others what I think or What to do in their situation, or how they ought to feel, when listening to what they say is the most important” Chas -Youth Club Worker - Buckhurst Hill
The Acorn Fast Track Training is for practising Christians with a heart for young people and a concern for their spiritual welfare. You need to be a good communicator and relate well to 15-18 year olds. You may come from any walk of life - a teacher, youth leader, church worker or parent - just someone wanting to help young people deal more effectively with their personal problems. The course may also help you increase your own self-awareness and improve your own listening skills. If you decide to take up the training you will need to be ready to commit to three days’ training.
The Acorn One Day Familiarisation Course for Listening to Young People is both for Fast Track and existing Acorn adult tutors. The main purpose of this course is to familiarise tutors with the materials and approach, plus issues of particular relevance and concerns to schools.
Schools or Youth Groups interested in the Listening to Young People Course need to know that they are responsible for selecting the core group of 12-14 trainee mentors/listeners ( preferably equal numbers of boys & girls) and for setting up, hosting and supervision of the six session course. It is the responsibility of the school or youth club/church leader to nominate a LINK person who will be responsible for practical arrangements, supervision and follow-up.
Acorn in Scotland is delighted to be able to welcome Revd Dr Russ Parker to The Bield in Perth from the 7th - 9th May 2010. During his visit Acorn tutors and listeners will have the opportunity to meet with Russ and share news of the work being done here in Scotland.