THE GAP YEAR:
For the last 8 years schools and community charity XLP have been operating the‘eXperience’ gap year programme across South East and East London Boroughs.eXperience is an exciting, dynamic and radical training course run by XLP, working with London’s churches, secondary schools and communities. For those 18 orover, it is a great opportunity to serve and make a difference to the lives of young people in London. The course runs for an academic year, with an option for students to undertake a second year of training and specialise in one area of youthwork.

The course provides training in Youthwork and Theology, which the students thenapply, working in schools, communities and churches across London. In addition to in-house staff such as Patrick Regan, teaching is also provided by external
speakers from organizations associated with XLP eg Soul Survivor, TEAR Fund and Street Pastors.

Students work as members of the XLP borough teams as well as taking part in running placement church youth groups. There is also a overseas mission element, with first-year students visiting Ghana during the year, where they work with local
schools including a school which XLP has set up in association with the Ashanti-Akim Community Organisation.

eXperience gives young adults a chance to grow in their faith and be challenged; to do something beneficial by serving diverse urban communities; and to consider whether youthwork may be a calling on their lives. Career paths of some former
students have included: full-time church/youth ministry, teaching, community support work, and even becoming borough leaders for XLP!

HOW THE YEAR OPERATES:
eXperience students have their time divided between three main activities: churchwork,schools-work and training.
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MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT:
Whilst on the eXperience training students will have various people managing and supporting them. Pastoral support, and the provision of people with whom the student can reflect and discuss any issues or concerns that arise during the course
is also key to the year’s success.
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FINANCE & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:
If you are interested in finding out how much the course costs, and how living arrangements are organised,
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