Greetings! I’m Debz - the newest addition to the Matrix, joining the team as ‘School’s Relational Worker and NEET Support Worker.’ I’m 24 years old, originally from Essex and graduated in October from a degree in Youth & Community Work and Applied Theology with Centre for Youth Ministry.

My role with the Matrix is primarily within two different settings; Guildford County School, and leading the ASPIRE course alongside Ewan. My work in Guildford County primarily involves getting alongside the young people to support, encourage and advise them as they encounter the many difficult situations that life throws at them as teenagers. Whether this involves being a listening ear, a friendly face, a source of information/advice or someone to chat with about something on their minds my hope is that I am able to demonstrate the love, hope and acceptance of God to these young people in a real and practical way.

The other part of my role involves leading ASPIRE; a course that works with young people considered NEET. The course provides an opportunity for them to be offered individual and group support as they work their way through sessions that enable and encourage them to develop confidence in themselves and the skills required to introduce them back into education, employment or training.

My first 2 and a half weeks with the Matrix have been a whirlwind of information as I am getting to grips with how life as part of this wonderful team works. As a newbie to Guildford I am gradually finding my way around, with my sat-nav making fewer appearances as time goes by! (A massive achievement for someone with no sense of direction!) Meeting new people, navigating my way around the corridors of County school and sussing out the coffee shops in Guildford have been a great way to spend my first couple of weeks here, and although overwhelming at times I am excited about all that the coming weeks and months have to offer.

As I get stuck into life in Guildford and learn more about the different projects to get involved in, the prospect of journeying alongside young people as they re-dream their dreams, unlock their potential and discover the freedom of living life in all its fullness is an exciting one that I am very much looking forward to being a part of!

Last week youth workers, teachers and parents from all over the United Kingdom gathered in the centre of London to dream and discuss what prayer spaces in school could look like in our nation. Many people have already had prayer spaces in local schools, others wanted to learn more about how to deliver spaces and some wanted to learn more about the vision.

We have delivered 4 prayer spaces in two schools over the past couple of years which have proved to work very well and are now looking to build something substantial that fits in line with our mission to “transform communities.” With this is mind I went along to draw ideas from people who have been doing prayer spaces, and gain an understanding of how to support it for the long term. The day was split in to seminars and workshops which looked at how to do prayer spaces, the theology involved and how to build upon what already exists. There were example prayer stations set out at the back of the room with a time line of all the prayer rooms that have been done to date. This line stretched the width of the room and was scattered with stories of how prayer rooms are being received, and how they are shaping they way in which spirituality is being addressed in schools.

This idea is one that is spreading quickly and has potential to shape our schools and our communities. We are now putting a strategy and vision together to support and facilitate prayer spaces in schools through the Guildford area. If you would like to get involved or would like more information then contact emma@matrixtrust.com.