Our Vision

Our vision is to demonstrate Christ’s love to the young people of mid and west Devon.

Working in local secondary schools, we do this though offering a range of support to the whole school community and to individual young people at their point of need.

We provide opportunities for students to talk about faith and life issues. We run social activities and, for those students who want to know more about the Christian faith, we offer other activities to support them.

Our History

Connect was born in 1996 from a series of conversations between ministers, and others, with a concern for young people growing up in rural settings, recognising that it is often more difficult for them to meet up in person with friends, and other people, for support and guidance.

To help address this need Connect, in partnership with SWYM, was set up to provide placements for trainee youth workers in local secondary schools in Chulmleigh, Okehampton and Crediton and, more recently, in Holsworthy.

Associate Workers

Associate Youth Workers are employed by local churches and work with Connect to deliver our school-based programs. They are a key source of support and guidance to trainees and are ambassadors for Connect.

Stephen Waters

Okehampton Community College

I am the Children’s, Youth and Schools Worker for New Life Church in Okehampton. I work with the Primary Schools and the College doing assemblies, lesson support, lunch time and after schools clubs. I also run evening groups for children, youth and young adults. In my spare time I breakdance for a crew called Just4Funk. This involves shows, competitions and teaching in schools & Universities. I also host dance events both in the UK and Europe, and the World B-Boy Championships held in Denmark.

Ruth Jones

Holsworthy Community College Chaplain

I am an Associate Connect worker, employed by Holsworthy Community Christian Youth Chaplaincy. I love being part of Holsworthy Community College, especially being able to spend time with students and have fun with them. I trained with SWYM and completed an applied theology degree, where I was placed in Torquay. I hail from Bristol and have a degree in Biochemistry. When not being a youth worker, I love making things – from cards and sewing to baking and mosaics plus watching the occasional Formula 1 race.

Chris Boyes

Chulmleigh Academy

I have been running CofE Sunday clubs for the Little Dart Mission for the last 13 years. Somehow, and I forget exactly how, I became a volunteer with the Ringsash Methodist Circuit’s ‘Lighthouse Children’s Holiday Club’. This has led to me becoming their Children, Youth & Families Worker. For Connect I am very fortunate to work in Chulmleigh College helping in a variety of lessons, mentoring and running the CU with my colleague Mim. When I am not working, I love wildlife photography, fishing or spend the winter months flying my hawk Abi.

Mim Cassell

Chulmleigh Academy

I’m a Connect volunteer at Chulmleigh Academy and moved to the village of Chawleigh in 2022. I am fortunate enough to have retired early but have enjoyed volunteering with the Crediton Foofbank this last year as well as Chulmleigh Academy. Prior to retirement, I was a Mental Health Nurse for many years. Following completion of an MSc in Psychological Therapies in 2007, I worked as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at the University of Exeter as a researcher and lecturer in the School of Psychology and the student Wellbeing Centre. In my spare time I enjoy getting alongside people in the village, gardening, baking and walking. I also enjoy my grandparent responsibilities for an exuberant 7 year old.

Support Team

The wider Connect team consists of the four Local Support Groups and others who have taken on particular roles:

Peter Gravell

LSG, Chulmleigh

Wendy Anez

LSG, Crediton

Sue Banks

LSG, Holsworthy

Kevin Down

LSG, Okehampton and Safeguarding

John Ashley

Secretary

Rachel Setchfield

Treasurer

Kath Entrican

SWYM

Leanne Wigington

Social Media

Trustees

James Gregory

Trustee

I have been the senior pastor at Crediton Congregational Church for ten years. I love my wife and six children, mid-Devon, song-writing, and reading theological tomes! I am massively appreciative of the way young people in our communities get to see and hear what the Christian life is really like through the witness and work of Connect.

John King

Trustee

I work as the Senior Science Technician at Chulmleigh College, where I often help out with the Christian Union. I have been volunteering at Christian children’s and youth clubs since I was a teenager. I am married and have three boys, with two currently attending Chulmleigh College. I’m passionate about apologetics, Bible study, and science (I have a PhD in chemistry).

It’s been great to see Connect’s work at Chulmleigh first-hand – the breadth of challenging topics dealt with at CU, and the friendships and connections that are being built.

Chris Jackson

Trustee

Chris one of our trustees.

“Connect workers are invaluable in our classroom providing us with support both academically in RS lessons but also pastoral support around the school. We would highly recommend for any school to work with them!”

Lauren Partridge, Head of RS, QE Academy