This page answers some questions for people thinking about joining us as team members. If you want to know what’s on offer at LiveWires have a look at the homepage.
We asked the team what the best thing is about helping out at LiveWires. Here’s a few of their answers:
Getting to know more of the YP was awesome
Being trained in how to lead a small group discussion and Bible study
The support and closeness of the team
Praying with YP at Communion
Getting to know the YP and being able to witness their journeys over the week
I learnt more about serving and myself through being challenged and stretched during the week
Laughing a lot
There aren’t many school teachers on the LiveWires team, so you wouldn’t be alone! You will normally be responsible for up to 3 or 4 young people (YP) at a time (that is, probably up to about 8 people in a group, with two team members). During their time in a technical group, the young people will normally attempt to complete a project of some kind, for example, write a computer game, produce a short video, or record a song in the recording studio.
If you already have skills in a particular area, this will normally decide the approximate area in which you will be asked to help, but we’ll make sure to discuss the options with you before the camp.
Around a month before Livewires starts, we have a planning weekend where training is given on a number of subjects, as well as having a chance to meet the rest of the team and plan for the activities that will be taking place.
For every activity on the holiday team members are in pairs or larger groups, so you should never have to cope alone. Other members of the team are always happy to give advice, ideas, and share resources.
Of course! No-one joins the team just because they’ve been on the holiday before; rather we see what sort of things people are doing, their current interests and skills, their church situation, and then all pray about it.
We make sure that you’re leading the younger kids on the camp, to help you into a leadership role. But you get just at much responsibility as any other leader: you’ll be full team in every respect and you get to do the same as everyone else.
We also aim to provide some training and teaching to help you learn what leadership in a Christ-like manner looks like.
Almost all of the technical equipment is provided by current or past team members, or their friends, colleagues or workplaces. Many team members generously make their own equipment available to the young people. The equipment is kept permanently in the classrooms of the school, with the young people having supervised access.
Scripture Union has an insurance policy to cover the safety of equipment loaned to the holiday. Do talk to one of the co-leaders if you want more details about this.
Since the holiday is based in a boarding school, most of the accommodation is dormitory based. Team members share dormitories with a few other team members. The school supplies beds to sleep on but you will need to bring your own pillows, pillowcases, sheets and duvet / sleeping bag.
The main meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner, which we all eat together in the large dining room of the school. There is plenty of food, and it is delicious. Drinks and sometimes biscuits/cakes are served mid morning, mid afternoon and just before the young people go to bed.
Team members are free to make drinks for themselves whenever they have the time, and there are additional late night snacks for anyone who feels hungry. If you still need more to eat, there is a tuck shop for team and young people to buy sweets during the mid morning break. If you have special dietary needs, these can be accommodated.
There are three spiritual sessions on each normal day. The morning session is similar to a youth service, with worship, a talk, and a game or two. Straight after dinner, small groups are held where the YP open the bible and discover it for themselves. Then afterwards, we have an open time of worship and prayer.
During these, you’ll have the opportunity to help with music, reading, testimony, prayers etc. as well as helping to lead and guide the small group discussions.
To get a feel for a LiveWires day have a look at the timetable. In addition to the days activities we have a team meeting in the morning, and a chance to chill out and socialise after the YP have gone to bed.
David Charter, Joel Fergusson and Roger Pickard are the overall leaders of the holiday, and answer to Scripture Union for all that goes on during the holiday. They share the work of planning the holiday with a small group of team members, known as the Planning Team.
Starting in early July, there is the planning weekend which runs from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. The holiday itself is eight days in mid August, then there optional reunions for YP and team throughout the year. Of course, there is also time spent praying, keeping in touch with the YP, etc.
To keep the cost reasonable for the guests, we ask the team to contribute their food and board costs. For 2025 the cost will be £339, but please don’t let this get in the way of helping out. There are discounts and bursaries available, so get in touch with the co-leaders to find out more.
You should get in touch with us in the first instance. SU have a thorough screening and application process for new team members: the holiday leaders will generally want to chat with you first, then you’ll need to fill in an application form, provide references (one of whom will need to be your current church minister), and pass a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check. You can contact the co-leaders at livewires@scriptureunion.org.uk
Have a look at the Scripture Union volunteering pages