Elliott Cannon to join Ignite Youth Mission Team 

The Ignite Youth Mission Team has recruited its first team member for this autumn with the appointment of Elliott Cannon from Birmingham.   

The Ignite Youth Mission Team is now accepting applications to join full-time in September 2022 or January 2023. Young adults are invited to spend an academic year, or part-year, inspiring others with the Gospel in parishes, schools and at events with young people around the Diocese of East Anglia while nurturing their own faith and living alongside their fellow team members.

The team has already begun to receive applications and make decisions about who to accept for this opportunity in the coming academic year. Seventeen-year-old Elliott Cannon, from Birmingham, has just been offered a place for September and shares why he chose to spend a year in this way after his A Levels, rather than head straight to university.

“The reason I wanted to join Ignite was to spend a year getting closer to God before I go to university as I might not get the opportunity again,” he said. “The year will provide me with opportunities and skills and allow me to help others grow in their spiritual journey. I also wanted to grow in my devotion towards Our Lady of Walsingham, as she is an integral part of the Diocese of East Anglia.” Elliott also found himself attracted by the fact that the Ignite Team is a smaller, closer-knit group than found in Diocesan youth teams in some other parts of the country.

Ignite Team Leader Ciaran Losasso is pleased there has been such a response to this year’s recruitment drive: “As with all organisations, we’ve had an unusual couple of years but it’s reassuring to Hamish, our Director of the Youth Service, and to me that we can plan ahead for the next academic year knowing we have offered our first place.

“There are still more places on offer, though, and we’d really love to hear from more young adults who’d be interested in joining. It’s a very worthwhile experience and we know that it has really benefitted past team members – whatever they choose to do after their time with us. For those who can’t commit full-time, we are more and more in need of Ignite Lite volunteers who help as and when they can, so would love to hear from people interested in that too.”

Full-time team members are provided with their accommodation and food plus £200 a month and engage in a varied pattern of work with children and young people of all ages. More information and the application form can be found at www.rcdea.org.uk/youth. Those interested are encouraged to contact Ciaran on igniteteam@rcdea.org.uk for more information or if they have any queries.

Pictured above is Elliott Cannon

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