What is the Youth Rep Programme?
The Youth Rep Programme is open to young people aged 16-21. Places are limited so there is an application process. Reps work together as a small team of approximately 15 people.
You will have a place on the programme for one year. You will meet together for two weekend residentials; one in the winter and one in the summer.
You will attend 3Generate and have specific activities to lead as Reps. You will also have a monthly online meeting and be part of a WhatsApp group that continues the community beyond the meetings.
You will receive training, and there are some great opportunities to get more involved, develop skills, have new experiences, grow in faith, meet new people, and see more of the world.
Whilst being a Youth Rep is a commitment, what you will do as a Rep can easily fit around your studies or work, and you will have a lot of fun in this role!
All your expenses as a Youth Rep will be covered, so it doesn’t cost you anything.
What do the Youth Reps do?
The role of the Reps is to hear children’s and young people’s views, opinions and thoughts, on society and the Church, and feed this back to relevant people and meetings within the Methodist Church.
This may happen at the 3Generate event, or through other events and meetings. Sometimes Reps attend events and meetings so that they can share a young person’s perspective.
Youth Reps take an active part in the planning of 3Generate and have a key role in keeping people up-to-date with what’s going on through the 3GenReps social media accounts.
Some Reps also attend their local church meetings, or synods in their districts, to promote 3Generate and hear from children and young people. During the residential weekends Youth Reps will be given the opportunity to take part in consultations, training and leading times of worship for each other.
What kind of people make good Youth Reps?
We’re looking for people who are
- passionate about representing the voice of young people in the Methodist Church
- excited about meeting and interacting with new people
- wanting to speak out and share your views
- interested in attending meetings and/or travelling to new places
- happy to work as part of a team
- open to exploring the Christian faith
- more likely to benefit from being on the programme.
What is the application process?
One of the places on the Youth Rep programme is for the Methodist Conference Youth Rep. The process to apply for that role is slightly different, and happens earlier. There is more information on that below.
To apply for one of the other places on the Youth Rep Programme, applicants must be aged between 16 and 21 on the 31 October and:
- fill in the online application form (closing date is noon on 20 October)
- you will then be informed whether you will be offered a place on the Programme*
- if successful, you start on the Youth Rep Programme in November/December.
*all places on the Youth Rep programme are offered subject to DBS checks.
We welcome applications from previous Reps but please note, you can only participate in the Youth Rep programme for a maximum of 3 years.
Due to limited places, decisions about who will be offered a place will be based on the answers provided in the application form, which should show how well suited you are for the Rep programme.
Applying for the specific role of Methodist Conference Youth Rep:
For this specific role you will need to be 18-21. You can apply when you are 17 but must be 18 by the time Conference starts at the end of June.
To apply:
- fill in the online application form for Methodist Conference Youth Rep (closing date Tuesday 5 August 2025)
- attend a discernment conversation/informal interview (Thursday 4 September) to make sure that you are right for the role and the role is right for you.
- if suitable, you will be put forward for election
- the specific information provided on the application form about why you are standing for the role will be made available on the 3Gen App and you will be asked to make a 45-second video of yourself, saying why you want the role and what you would bring to it, this will also be available on the App
- children and young people will vote in the election (voting opens at 3Generate in October)
- If elected you will then start on the Youth Rep Programme along with the other Reps in November/December.
Application Links
Methodist Conference Youth Rep. (Closing date 5th August 2025)
Information about the role of Methodist Conference Youth Rep
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone aged 18-21 to speak on behalf of children and young people of the Methodist Church. You will help to get their voices heard as you report to the annual Methodist Conference about what they have been speaking about and what resolutions (decisions/recommendations) have been put forward.
The Methodist Church holds its annual conference in June/July. Individuals who represent different groups of people within Methodism, come together for a week to make decisions about the life of the Church. The decisions could involve theology, budgets, our viewpoints on current social issues and much more. There are people representing every district in Great Britain and people representing different groups within the church – including Youth Representatives for children and young people (the Youth Rep and the Youth President). For more info on the Methodist Conference see www.methodist.org.uk/conference
All expenses to attend Methodist Conference, 3Generate and Youth Rep residentials will be covered.
Role Description
This role involves:
- attending Methodist Conference 27th June – 1st July 2026 in Telford. It is an essential part of the role that the rep is present for the duration of the Methodist Conference.
- working with the Youth President to prepare a report to Methodist Conference.
- attending online meetings to prepare for Methodist Conference
- reading complex documents in advance of, and during, the Conference. (There is much to read)
- helping to present the report to Methodist Conference, as well as preparing to speak out on issues as you contribute to the debates.
- feeding back to children and young people, in appropriate ways, about Methodist Conference.
- Joining the other youth reps on the Youth Rep Programme, attending residential weekends and online meetings.
- You must be a member of the Methodist Church (or will be by the time of the Conference).
- This role is for one year – elections in October 2025, role begins December 2025 – October 2026.
The application form asks the following questions. You may like to spend some time preparing your answers before starting the online form.
- Give an example of when you have spoken in front of other people.
- Give an example of when you have worked with others as part of a team.
- Give an example of when you had to read a long piece of writing and show your understanding of it.
- Tell children and young people what excites you about the Conference Rep role and what you can bring to the role. The words you write for this will be shared with the children and young people who vote. Max word limit for this answer is 150 words.
- You will be asked to provide details (email and phone number) or either your minister or youth worker. We will then contact them to provide a reference for you. Please make sure you provide all the details required.
The discernment conversation (like an informal interview) will be held online online on Thursday 4th September, you will be asked on the application form when you will be available that day.
In order to have the most fulfilling experience of being Conference Youth Rep, and to represent children and young people well, you will need to show that you meet certain criteria in order to be put forward for election. For details on this criteria, and how it will be checked, please see the following document.
Conference Youth Rep Criteria Document
You can find the application form here.
Closing date is midday on 5th August 2025
Youth Rep programme. (Closing date 20th October 2025)
Information for applicants to the Youth Rep Programme
Below are the questions that are on the application form so that you can prepare yourself.
- Basic contact details (name, DOB, email etc)
- Why are you applying for the Youth Rep programme? (max 200 words)
- What excites you about the Youth Rep programme? (max 150 words)
- What interests and passions do you bring to the Youth Rep programme? (max 150 words)
- Give examples that show you are a responsible and reliable person. (max 150 words)
- Getting the best out of being a Youth Rep requires a time commitment. How will you make time to be committed to the Rep programme? (max 150 words)
- The Youth Rep programme helps participants to explore their discipleship. Tell us about your faith journey. (max 200 words)
- How do you hope the Rep programme will change you? (max 150 words)
- How would you feel about staying away overnight and travelling independently?
Only for those who have been on the Rep programme before:
- What have you gained from the Rep programme so far? (max 150 words)
- What will you gain that you haven’t already from an extra year on the programme? Why do you think an extra year will help? (max 150 words)
You will be asked to provide contact information for someone who can write a reference for you – this needs to be either your minister or youth worker.
For applicants aged under 18 you will need to provide contact details for your parent/guardian.
You can find the application form here.
The closing date is the 20th October 2025.