YES - You, Equipped to Serve

Encounter aims to:

The scheme had underlying expectation in the living power of God to transfom lives.

The encounter year begin in September and runs to July, and is made up of 3 key components:-

1. Quality Training
2. Placement
3. Overseas Mission

Training

During the year there is one 4-day residential, two 3-day residentials and eight 1-day training sessions. The training is adapted each year to suit the needs of the group on the scheme, but broadly speaking it engages with five areas

1. Bible Overview
2. Scheme Fundamentals
3. Pratical Skills and Knowledge
4. Growing Leaders
5. Theology

Placement

Placements are mostly in parishes across the diocese, and we use the information given during the application process in discussion with participants and placements to make the best placement possible for all concerned. The key to a successful year is the matching of placement and participant.

Overseas Mission

Each year scheme participants have the opportunity to do an overseas mission, and in recent years particpants have been to West Africa, India and Bangladesh. The trips are run in partnership with an organisation who regularly takes groups overseas, and on most occasions the scheme leader or a member of the YES team will also be on the mission. All fees for the trip are covered by Encounter, except your passport and spending money.

Scheme support 

During the year the support is provided via the scheme leader, the YES team, the church placement line manager and mentor. During the overseas mission support is given by the partner organisation, and often during the year peer support is given by other participants.

Finances

Each particpant contributes £750 towards the scheme. This covers

• £110 per calender month as pocket money
• All expenses for the overseas trip
• Expenses for all training events
• Accomodation

Working expenses in the placements are covered by the placement.