Join the team

Join the team

There are opportunities every year to come and join the Bretta team who spend the year working with young people. The year starts in September and runs through to the middle of July.

Download an application form here:

Application form.doc

Who can volunteer?

Anyone who is a young adult (17+ who has finished school)

Christian

Enthusiastic about working for young people

Prepared to live and work in community

What Qualities do I need?

Enthusiasm Ability to reach out to others Belief in young people

Openess to learn new skills Sense of humour Commitment

The Come-and-see experience

If you're interested in joining the Bretta team, you are invited to stay at Bretta for a few days and experience what work and community life is like at Bretta. You will also have an interview.

We offer work experience as well.

If you're interested, just Contact us for more information.

What could I learn?

There is a two week induction period at the start of the year where many topics are covered including...

Youth Work Skills

Creative ways of sharing your faith

Presentation Skills

First Aid

Health and Safety

Hospitality

Thoughout the year there is ongoing training and supervision and support.

Also there is an opportunity to gain a creditation in Salesian Youth Ministry

....and loads more!!!

Heather tells us about her Bretta experience...

When I first heard about gap years at Bretta, I was wandering around college, dressed all in red, collecting money for the British Heart Foundation. I must have looked quite strange. I knew I wanted to take a gap year but didn't have much of an idea what I'd do during it. I got chatting to the TOP team and it sounded interesting so I put my name down for a look-see experience. I really enjoyed my time there and a few months later, I had moved into the Big Bretta house!

I was hardly a shrinking violet before my time at Bretta but all the things that happened over the year really built me up as a person. All the people I met, the community nights, days out for birthdays, hanging in the volunteer's lounge, the retreats we led, the times spent planning retreats downstairs in the cellar... not forgetting the many a time we laughed hysterically for no apparent reason... I'll never forget my time there.

It wasn't always easy but I have no regrets over my decision to join the retreat team and spend my year at Brettargh Holt. 'Amazing' doesn't even begin to describe it.

Even though my gap year at Bretta has finished, I still consider myself to be part of the Salesian family and I'm proud of it! I come back to Bretta, sometimes to help out on retreats and sometimes just to say 'hello!', in-between my studies at uni. I'm loving uni and I feel the whole Bretta experience helped me in meeting new people.

Sara shares on what she learned ...

I have enjoyed my time at Bretta. At times, yes it has been challenging, but a wonderful opportunity to grow and mature. I have leanred how to be more motivated. Also through the course we do on Salesian Spirituality, I have had opportunities to learn about myself and my faith. I think i'm more organised now- but still learning!!!

During my time at Bretta I have learned to grow in confidence, especially around young people and spending time with them, having a laugh.

As well as that, I really have loved the groups of young people who have come through the doors and learned a lot about them as a result.

The communtiy atmosphere and support I have had this year has really strengthened me as a person to leave my comfort zone and to try new things. I think that anyone can be a volunteer at Bretta. Through the training here it really helps to gain confidence and skills.

Bretta is a great opportunity to learn about other people and about yourself which i'm sure will help me when I move on to working with other people.

Want to know more? Well here's some reasons to volunteer:

Maybe you’ve taken some exams and would like some “time out”
You may want to put a degree’s theory into practice
This is a perfect opportunity to get some experience for a career with young people.
Universities suggest that you take a gap year before further studies
Personal Development and Self-Discovery

come on and consider the challenge and contact us

Want to apply? Or just want to know more?

Please do feel free to Contact Us or fill out an application form

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