Hello Friends!
My name is Julia Stacey, and I am the London Children and Youth Development Worker.
Before this role, I’ve enjoyed an ever varied and exciting professional life. Back in Canada I worked as a lifeguard, camp counsellor, community arts facilitator and workshop assistant. I also had a creative practice in textile and performance arts. Here in the UK, I previously worked in museums and even woofed on an alpaca farm! I am excited to bring all these experiences together to inform my Quaker work.
Outside of work I attend Friends House local meeting and am an active part of meeting life. I also enjoy swimming, sewing and dancing.
How do I support Friends?
As your London Children and Youth Development Worker I help children, youth and families participate in Quaker communities. I also aim to help adults and meetings feel more comfortable supporting children, youth and families. Together we will create Quaker communities that are loving, inclusive and all ages.
I am part of the Quaker Life Team, as this role is managed by Britain Yearly Meeting. I work closely with Josh Selfe, the London Local Support Worker. We are supported and guided by a Local Support Group, made up of Quakers from across London. Our work is shaped together – by the London Quakers and ourselves. I always welcome questions and suggestions.
Connect with children, youth and families
I foster and grow my relationships with children, young people and families (Quaker and the wider London population) and learn their needs and interests. This allows me to better connect them with Quaker communities and opportunities. I make these connections in person at meetings and events and online (WhatsApp YCF community, London Young Quakers newsletter, email).
Promote and create Quaker engagement opportunities
There are great existing opportunities for Quaker children and young people throughout London, for example London Link and local children’s meetings. I promote and assist with existing offerings, and work to develop and facilitate new engagement opportunities such as quarterly Quaker Family Together days. Please get in contact if you need assistance with an event or have an idea for one.
Encourage intergenerational connection, opportunities and communities
I help adults and meetings feel more comfortable connecting with children, youth and families. This includes giving advice (including safeguarding), training and putting on all age events together. Where Quaker communities are interested, I can support you in reaching out to wider communities, such as schools, other faith spaces and community spaces.
Share my work and seek feedback
I regularly share and evaluate my work with the Quaker Life team and welcome feedback and reflection from involved Quakers, to help me develop the work. We meet with the ‘Local Support Group’, a group of local Friends from across the patch who help guide this work and root it in Quaker communities.
Getting in touch
I work 35 hours a week normally between Monday – Friday and I am primarily based at Friends House. However, hours and location can vary as I also support Friends during evenings and weekends.
Please contact me for support, advice, events, opportunities, and training to do with all things involving children, youth, and families. Also get in touch with ideas, thoughts, and questions – I look forward to getting to know lots of London Quakers over the coming months.
Email: julias@quaker.org.uk
Phone and WhatsApp: 079 3883 5367
You will also find me in person at many meetings and events, please do say come hi if I’m not tied up in a task!
In friendship
Julia Stacey