Volunteer Opportunities
Becoming a Gap Year Volunteer at Walsingham House
Thank you for considering a Gap Year at Walsingham House. Whether after year 13, after uni, or as a break between jobs, a Gap Year is a precious time and we hope that spending it at Walsingham House will be enjoyable and rewarding, as well as a time when you discover and develop new gifts and talents in yourself.
You will make a difference
A retreat at Walsingham House is, we hope, a place where young people discover more about who they are, more about their relationships in their school or Confirmation group, and more about their relationship with God.
To be part of a Team leading young people in these discoveries and challenges is superb. We welcome around 5,000 young people aged 11 - 18 on retreat each year: as part of the Walsingham House Team you will work with at least 3,000 of them!
Most people on the Walsingham House Team are there because they have taken part in a retreat at the House, or a similar centre somewhere else in the country.
Young people remember the Team that led them on retreat, they remember what it is like to be welcomed into a retreat by young adults, and to be led in small and large group discussions by them.
It is also often the first time that young people have prayed in a setting where they are guided by young people close to their age.
As a Team member on a residential retreat you will spend about thirty five hours with a group of thirty young people; about fifteen of those hours will be with a small group, of seven or eight young people. These are wonderful times, and your presence and attitude can make a real difference to them.
Living in Community
Community is an essential part of life at Walsingham House: if you commit to a Gap Year here it is not just committing to a job, but to a way of life.
You will be part of a young and vibrant community, with all the excitement, joy and challenge of living with a new group of people. To live with the same seven or eight people for a year means that you get to know each other well and that strong friendships form friendships where people can be truly honest.
Certainly, community living has its difficulties just like any family, there are moments of tension but we hope that for most people it is a positive experience where even the challenges become moments of personal growth and discovery.
Consistently, former Team members tell us that the year at Walsingham House helped them when they started uni, or work, and that it was the time in community, even more than the retreat work, which was most significant for them.
Faith
Our Catholic faith radiates through what we offer on retreat, but this does not mean that we expect every Team member to have their faith sorted. We know that at eighteen, or twenty one, and in fact for the whole of life, believing in God raises a lot of questions.
We hope that Walsingham House is a place where your own faith is deepened and strengthened, and as a Team we dont just lead retreats, but go on retreat ourselves two or three times in the year. We also pray together for a short time each evening, and celebrate Mass as a community usually once a week.
Training
Training is offered for three weeks at the start of the year covering the key aspects of working with young people, and there is ongoing training and mentoring during the year.
Accommodation
Accommodation is naturally part of being on the Team. You will have your own furnished room, shared access to the Internet and digital TV, and shared bath/shower facilities. Meals are provided for you. The usual time off is Sunday approx 5.00pm Tuesday approx 10.00am. Expenses are offered to you currently £47 per week.
What next?
If you would like to apply for the Team please fill in the application form and post it to Fr Dominic at the address on the form.
We will invite you to work alongside the Team for a weekend, and your interview will take place within that weekend. For the Gap Year you need to be able to commit from the first week in September to the last week in July.
Again, thank you for considering a Gap Year at Walsingham House any questions please call Fr Dominic on 01268 696610 or email frdominic@walsinghamhouse.org.
Working with the Team
If you'd like to come and work with the team on a day retreat or a residential, please contact Fr Dominic or Jon. If you're thinking of applying to be a team member, it's a great way of experiencing what's involved before committing and perfect for those unable to commit to a full year.