What is a year on team?
The Briars Leadership Residency is a year-long formation programme for young adults aged 18–25. You will live in intentional Catholic community, lead retreat programmes for hundreds of young people, and be invested in personally — with spiritual direction, external supervision, leadership training and practical qualifications.
The year is built around four life rhythms that will stay with you forever: a rhythm of prayer, a rhythm of community, a rhythm of rest, and a rhythm of giving your best God-given talent. Whatever career or vocation you go on to, you will leave The Briars knowing how to pray, how to live alongside others honestly and well, how to rest properly, and how to recognise and use the gifts God has given you.
Our 2026–27 Founding Cohort is small by design. You will be a pioneer of a redesigned programme, shaping what the Leadership Residency becomes for years to come.
This is not just volunteering. This is formation for life.
What You’ll Do.
You will live and pray in community with 6–10 other young adults. You’ll lead small group sessions from your first half term (with close support from our permanent Programme Leaders), and grow into leading larger sessions and programmes across the year. You’ll minister to young people from across the East Midlands and beyond.
What You’ll Receive.
A structured formation programme across six phases. Monthly external supervision with a qualified coach. Regular spiritual direction. Training in facilitation, safeguarding, mental health first aid and pastoral leadership. A personal portfolio documenting your growth. Accommodation, meals and a weekly stipend.
Who We’re Looking For.
Young adults aged 18–25 who are hungry for growth, willing to be challenged, and open to discovering what God has made them for. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to be a perfect Catholic. You need to be willing to show up, live honestly, and give your best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be Catholic?
No. But you do need to be a committed Christian. You don’t need to be a theologian — many of our most impactful team members have arrived with real questions of their own — but you do need to be a practising Christian and open to growing in your faith and understand that the Leadership Residency is rooted in the life of the Catholic Church.
Q: What qualifications will I leave with?
Mental Health First Aid, safeguarding and first aid certifications, plus a formal facilitation/coaching qualification (e.g. ILM). We are also exploring a university-partnered certificate. Alongside these, you will leave with a portfolio documenting your leadership, learning and growth — invaluable for UCAS, job applications and career discernment.
Q: What about money?
You receive accommodation, meals and a weekly stipend. The year is a full commitment — this is not a paid job — but your living costs are covered and you will have no rent or food costs during the residency. Many of our alumni describe the year as the best investment they’ve ever made.
Q: What does a typical week look like?
Monday morning is community and formation time for the team — no retreatants, space for prayer, catechesis and lunch together. Groups arrive Monday or Wednesday afternoon and depart Wednesday or Friday. During retreat days you’ll work in shifts alongside the rest of the team, with protected off-time built in. Friday afternoon is team evaluation and a communal meal. Weekends are your own.
Q: What is the “Founding Cohort”?
The Leadership Residency is a relaunch of our long-running Mission Team programme, redesigned as a formation programme rather than a service commitment. The 2026–27 cohort is our founding year — smaller, more intensive, and genuinely co-designed with the team members we recruit. You will shape what the Leadership Residency becomes.
Q: I’m not sure I’m “good enough.” Can I still apply?
Yes. We are looking for people who want to grow, not people who have already arrived. The year is designed to meet you where you are and walk with you. If you’re reading this and wondering — apply. Have a conversation with us. We’ll be honest with you about whether the year is the right fit.
