A CHRISTIAN-led youth project working in Tavistock and its surrounding area has got a new leader in the shape of Jack Hodge.

Jack, 25, was asked to take on the main role at Catalyst after former leader Trudi Massey stepped down to pursue a career in teaching.

Jack has come up through the ranks beginning as a trainee with the South West Youth Ministries and Catalyst for several years.

The organisation is run by the local churches in Tavistock and supports young poeple in their schools and community through mentoring, support groups, games clubs, drop-ins, Bible study groups, youth services and youth cafes.

These all happen by connecting the needs of young people with the resources of the local churches TACT (Tavistock Area Christians Together).

Jack has lived in Bere Alston all his life and was a student at Tavistock College. He got involved with Catalyst through a passion for sports and coaching badminton.

‘I had always been involved with the church and I did a lot of sport coaching with young people,’ he said. ‘When someone suggested I should become a youth worker I decided to join as a trainee with Catalyst and after four years they have asked me to take on the role as youth worker which I am really happy about. It’s a privilege to do this job.’

Jack’s main work will be with Tavistock College, Mount Kelly and primary schools in Tavistock, Horrabridge, Bere Alston and Whitchurch.

He will be mentoring students who are struggling with all sorts of issues from being shy to self harming.

‘We are not therapists or psychologists,’ said Jack. ‘We are there to support and listen,

‘I know the teachers and staff at Tavistock College have found it really helpful that we provide this service and are willing to listen to the young people’s problems.

‘There has always been a need for Catalyst but we are finding many more young people now who are experiencing anxiety and loneliness as a result of Covid.’

As well as running clubs and other sessions, Catalyst takes young people on a residential trip twice a year to build friendships. It is open to Christians and non Christians.

Catalyst welcomed Jack into his new role on Friday, October 8 at a special service at Tavistock United Reformed Church.

It also welcomed Lily Doyle, who recently joined as a trainee.

Lily is from South West Youth Ministries and is part way through her degree in applied theology with youth work.

Jack has recently completed his degree and now finds himself supporting Lily in her studies.

Jack said: ‘Having just completed the course, I know exactly what is expected of Lily which means I can offer support and encouragement when needed.

‘Having worked with Lily for the past year, I know that she is brilliant at bringing a lot of fun and support to the young people we encounter.’

‘We currently have one available position for another trainee to join us and it would be helpful to expand the team in order to keep the level of provision that we have offered in recent years, under the leadership of Trudi Massey.’

Jack is looking forward to the challenge of the coming year. ‘Having come through the challenges of the recent Covid lockdowns I know that we have an amazing team of volunteers and I hope to continue the brilliant work that has been accomplished by Catalyst. We are in a time of review and relaunch of our activities and I look forward to new ventures within this role.’

‘It has been so good to run our first residential youth event after all the restrictions of the past 12 months. Catalyst, in partnership with Tavistock Methodist Church, recently took a group of young people for a weekend away to Heatree Activity Centre on Dartmoor. The young people had the opportunity to try archery, they aced a mission impossible challenge and had a great weekend together of fun and laughter.

‘I’m looking forward to more residential events like this in the future and to reach many more young people throughout the work we do in Tavistock.’

Associate principal of Tavistock College Tristan Forster said: ‘Catalyst as a group or as individual mentors support the young people of Tavistock College in so many ways that they have become irreplaceable. It is so fantastic that we are now able to have the Catalyst group back into college to support our students and staff at the college.’

If you are interested in supporting Jack and Lily in their work go to https://tavistockcatalyst.com or their Facebook or Instagram page.