The Methodist Church gave a cautious welcome to the Government’s July green paper Youth Matters in a detailed response published this week.

|TOP|The Church welcomed the initiative taken by the Government to consult with youth but voiced concern that the paper does not pay sufficient to the spirituality of young people.

The response by the Methodist Church also criticised the paper for not addressing concerns about alienation, rural isolation and the specific needs of people from minority ethnic groups or with disabilities.

“The underpinning principle for young people’s services must be a desire to care for their well-being,” said Mike Seaton, National Secretary of the MAYC, the youth work ministry of the Methodist Church (formerly the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs).

Mr Seaton added: “Services must treat (young people) with respect, and engage them in meaningful projects that prompt ownership and provide the proper levels of participation, support and guidance.”

|QUOTE|In a video diary survey of young people conducted by the Methodist Church throughout July, August and September this year, young people listed among their greatest worries family situations, being alone, bullying, friendship, exam pressures and crime.

According to press release by the Methodist Church, Church staff across the country report that the young people they work with are also concerned about spiritual development, health, family breakdown, multicultural issues, poverty and education.

“We welcome some aspects of this green paper but feel it does not go into sufficient detail in some areas,” said Mr Seaton. “We want to emphasise the role that the voluntary sector has to play in this area, including Christian organisations.”

|AD|The YMCA England issued its response to Youth Matters after consultations with 30 of its branches across England ended on 4 November.

In the response the YMCA said: “YMCA England welcomes the largely positive tone of the Green Paper but remains concerned that the underlying policy emphasis is on controlling behaviour and prescriptive activities, rather than on holistic personal development.”

The YMCA England recommended the Government expand the involvement of a diverse range of young people in the planning and management of youth services and to include provisions for homeless young people.

The YMCA also urged the Government to increase the budget allocated for the provision of better youth services, saying, the £40million “will not be sufficient”.

Earlier in the year, members of the faith community expressed their disappointment at the youth paper for failing to acknowledge the role of faith-based projects and criticised the concept of an opportunity card.

John Baxter-Brown, executive officer for youth work, Churches Together in England, said: “Spiritual development and education is just as important as cultural, political, social and personal education. If you miss spirituality, you miss out on holistic youth work.”