Growing Faith Newsletter – Spring 2026

Coventry Diocese – 2026 INEQE Safeguarding Audit

The Coventry Safeguarding Survey is open! This is a key part of the INEQE Safeguarding Audit of Coventry Diocese, and Bishop Sophie has said;

This is not simply an inspection; this is a process to help us to be the very best we can be in terms of our safeguarding practice. It’s vital that everybody gets the opportunity to take part and all voices are welcome. It’s not about catching us out, it’s making sure that the love of Christ can be shared across our communities in every way in healthy ways for all ages, everywhere.”

More information about the INEQE Audit can be found on the Diocese of Coventry Website.

The Survey is open to responses from seven different groups of people – including children and young people. The link below will take you to the main survey page. It is important that you select the survey for the correct group.

If you fit into more than one group, you can fill out the survey for each group that you are part of.

If you are a church leader or a children or youth leader, please share these links with your young people and families so that they can take part too!

Children under 13 years old should complete the survey with a parent or guardian. Children 13 and older can complete it on their own. To help us reach as many young people as possible, we are suggesting that wherever possible, youth groups create opportunities for their young people to complete the survey as part of their regular sessions. If you would like support with arranging this, please contact; james.henney@coventry.anglican.org for advice.

A joyful year in Canley…

St Stephen’s in Canley have completed their first year of being a Growing Faith Learning Hub – and learnt lots along the way

It has been a great year for the Growing Faith Learning Hub at St Stephen’s Church, and for Leigh Primary their partner school. Amy from the Hub has established a choir which is open to any children who want to attend – and has become a haven for some who struggle at school. The choir has grown significantly in size, and has performed at a number of local care homes and a carol service at Coventry Cathedral.

The Hub have a particular mission to support children with additional needs, and their families, and this work is going from strength to strength. For the full story, watch the Hub’s video report on the Growing Faith Foundation website at the link below

An opportunity for Young People to worship together!

Youth City Praise & Prayer returns on Friday 24 April

The event in October 2025 saw 450 young people with around 100 youth leaders from across Coventry and the surrounding area join together to worship and to intercede for their friends, their schools and their communities.

The event is planned and run by a team of leaders and young people from a range of churches as part of the work of HOPE Coventry. More details can be found on the HOPE Coventry website at the link below. Booking will open after Easter – Subscribe to receive HOPE updates at the link below to ensure you don’t miss it!

If you would like to get a taste of the event, check out the Youth City Praise & Prayer Instagram account

If you would like a conversation about bringing your young people to a Youth City Praise & Prayer event, please contact james.henney@coventry.anglican.org

Are your Young People following The Way?

The Way UK are a digital ministry working in partnership with the Church of England aimed at young people aged 13–25.

The Way UK create youth-led content and podcasts, and use social media to explore Christian faith, answer questions, and build an online community.

They can be found on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify and Apple Podcasts where you will find a range of content including short question and answer videos to start a discussion, and longer bile studies and in depth interviews around topics that affect Young People.

Content could be used as part of your time with Young People, or as a resource to signpost them to between sessions to explore for themselves.

These are the links you need!

Are you ready for a Detox?

Thy Kingdom Come is bringing back the Digital Detox again for 2026!

Thy Kingdom Come runs from 14th – 24th May this year, and is a time where we are encouraged to make space in our lives for God – spending time with Him in prayer, and interceding for our friends who don’t yet know Him. The Digital Detox resource is an excellent way to make space in our busy lives, and has been developed specifically for Young People.

Last year the Youth at St Mark’s Coventry took part in the digital detox (you can watch the video here). The Detox doesn’t require going ‘Cold Turkey’ or completely giving up your gadgets – rather it is an invitation to set aside a block of time each day to be away from screens and in the presence of God.

The Digital Detox material can be used by individuals and in groups; details of the journal and a leader’s session guide can be found at the link below (along with an introductory video).

We have ordered 900 copies of the journal and a handful of the leader’s guides which we will be giving out at the Chrism service on Maundy Thursday; if you would like to reserve a bundle for your church, please contact james.henney@coventry.anglican.org

Support for Youth Work helps it to Thrive!

Churches across Warwickshire are reaping the rewards of their engagement with Thrive Youth Ministry’s Manifesto initiative. 

Manifesto is not a quick fix solution to growing youth work, but through long-term partnerships working to engage new local young people in youth groups it can lead to sustainable growth in numbers of young people and volunteers. 

A number of Churches across the diocese have benefited from Thrive’s support – establishing new groups and growing their existing work with young people. The team offer bespoke support for churches, or there is now the option to join a ‘Huddle’ alongside other churches who are on a similar journey.

For more information about Manifesto, and to contact Thrive, click the button below;