10 August 2016

By Anne Stewart, SHCJ

The eight new Step Into the Gap volunteers recently had their induction in London at Romero House. We have twin sisters on the programme this year so this is a first for us! Nothing is finally settled yet, but it looks as if the international placements will be in Cambodia and Ethiopia, two countries we have not visited before. Two of the young people this year are past pupils of St Mary’s in Blackpool.

This year’s volunteers had their final evaluation/celebration weekend at the Cherwell Centre (SHCJ’s centre in Oxford) July 9-10 and as always the community made us very welcome and gave us all great help and support throughout the weekend.

Quite a few of this year’s volunteers are going on to university, one is going to work for CAFOD in the Nottingham Diocese, one is going to work abroad for a year. The two young women we have had in Blackpool came straight from school but showed great maturity and initiative. Michelle is going to Manchester University to do Neuro Sciences and Katy is going to Bradford to do Peace Studies.

Step into the Gap is a unique opportunity to volunteer in the UK, gain experience, develop leadership skills and visit CAFOD partners overseas.

As a Step into the Gap participant you will live and work in one of our UK placements for a year, learning more about yourself, your faith and the world we live in and you’ll inspire others to make a difference.