Undervalued and Lacking Confidence? Exploring Factors Affecting the Sense of Value and Confidence of UK Church Workers Amongst Children and Young People

This phenomenological mixed methods study explored experiences of paid and voluntary workers with under 18’s in UK churches. The context is depleting numbers involved in both paid and voluntary roles across the UK. There are high levels of confidence in both groups, but there were frustrations regarding the working environment, HR management and ethos. Similar trends across paid and volunteer workers indicates that the issues are sector-wide and systemic. It is imperative to intentionally enhance the working environment and opportunities for workers within the nature of this work in the UK church to redress the downward trend of involvement.