Connected Youth Apprenticeship - Ellie’s Experience

Ellie McIlwrath - Connected Youth Apprentice

When I applied for this apprenticeship I was really stepping out of my comfort zone and I knew that this would be an amazing but very new experience for me. I was correct, although the extent of opportunities, growth and support from everyone I worked with this year has exceeded all of my expectations. 

To be in a role which provides opportunities to work with young people through church, schools, youth and kids clubs, community events and camps is so rare, and to learn to lead in each of those contexts has been so valuable to me. From preparing and delivering talks for a large youth club at CFC East, to facilitating discussions around stereotypes and discrimination with Year 8s in Schools, I have been able to develop so many skills and learn how to effectively communicate with young people in many different ways.

The teams both in Belfast YMCA and CFC South are phenomenal. I have felt so encouraged and spurred on throughout this year. Everyone has invested in me and made me feel like such a valued member of each team, and because of that I have been able to do things that really stretched me. Working in an office for the first time was very new but the YMCA staff made it an awesome experience, and I particularly love our weekly team prayer meetings at the YMCA. To work in a place where time is made to come together and pray each week has been such a privilege.

I have definitely grown closer to God throughout my apprenticeship. I have felt more obedient and reliant on him when stepping out of my comfort zone, I have been reminded of his faithfulness and the importance of his word, and he has especially reinforced to me the importance of community. Being immersed in a new church environment was something that made me nervous, but the church community at CFC South are so welcoming and loving that I have felt like such a part of the family. Serving with the youth and kids this year has been so special and just being in the room and journeying with them each Sunday morning has been a joy.

I have so many highlights from this year. I loved leading a group of young people as part of a TBUC camp- as they met each other, went on a residential and then ran their own coffee morning fundraiser- this was incredible. I have also loved organising other community events including carnival games for a pumpkin patch event, and planning and executing a Wildlife event as part of Belfast Learning Festival. All of these opportunities have equipped me with organisational skills and it has been so rewarding to see our plans come into fruition to welcome the community in such a fun way!

Having a mentor this year has also been a highlight of mine- being able to walk alongside someone who has been where you are and genuinely wants to invest time, effort and prayer into you has been really significant. Alongside this I have also loved attending events with others at a similar stage as me through “Interns Together” days. These days even led me to go on a mission trip to Romania outside of work and I have formed so many lasting friendships because of this

Not only have I learnt so much from working alongside young people, I have also received amazing training throughout the year. When my Apprenticeship is finished I will have an OCN Level 2 in Youth Work which is really cool. I also loved my First Aid training and different events and seminars on topics such as Autism, Mental Health and ADHD. All of these opportunities will be so valuable as I move on from this year and carry knowledge and skills into my future. 

One of my most favourite parts of my apprenticeship has been working with the other apprentice Andy this year. It has been so fun to work alongside someone in the office, to learn from each other and to play on our different strengths in each of the environments we work in. 

I will really really miss being surrounded by the wonderful people I have been working alongside this year.

I would highly recommend this apprenticeship to anyone who wants to gain experience working with young people in a variety of settings, anyone who wants to be equipped in leadership, communication and team work and anyone who wants to grow closer to God through serving him and showing young people from different backgrounds his love.

To apply for the 25/26 Connected Youth Apprenticeship please click here.