Two New Equip Trainer Roles – Helping Manchester Diocese Grow Younger

The Diocese of Manchester is a diverse, vibrant and forward‑looking Christian community committed to being a worshipping, growing and transforming Christian presence within every parish, chaplaincy and school. Guided by Jesus’ Great Commandment and Great Commission, the diocese serves 33 mission communities across Greater Manchester and Rossendale — areas rich in heritage, social justice commitment and multicultural depth. Our diocesan strategy places strong emphasis on renewing parish life, developing missional leaders, strengthening discipleship and investing intentionally in ministry with children, young people and families.

A key priority in this vision is Growing Younger: a long-term commitment to doubling the number of young active disciples and ensuring that flourishing children, youth and families ministry is within reach of every young person. To support this ambition, the diocese has established Equip — a comprehensive training and development framework for everyone involved in ministry with children and young people. Equip encompasses a range of pathways, including Equip ALM, Equip Weekend, Equip Spotlight, Equip Bespoke, Equip Clergy, Equip Hubs, Equip Connect and the Equip podcast. Together, they provide sustainable formation, practical resources and ongoing support for leaders across the diocese.

We are now inviting applications for two important roles within this growing programme:

1. Equip Trainer – Youth and Chaplaincy

The post-holder will help strengthen youth ministry and school chaplaincy across Manchester Diocese, supporting clergy, volunteers and lay leaders as they disciple young people in local church, school and community settings. Working across the Equip pathways, the post-holder will deliver high quality training, host diocesan learning events, support the development of Equip Hubs, contribute to Equip Connect online sessions and the Equip podcast, and collaborate with colleagues in preparing content for Equip Spotlight. This role will be vital in helping churches and schools establish youth ministry that is relational, mission‑minded and rooted in Christian discipleship.

2. Equip Trainer – Early Years and Children

The post-holder will support leaders involved in ministry with children aged 0–11, helping them to build welcoming, imaginative and theologically grounded ministry for younger children and families. They will deliver training across the Equip pathways, support the development of early years worship and discipleship approaches such as Christian toddler groups and Wiggle Worship, and contribute to Equip Spotlight, Equip Hubs and Equip Connect. This role will help parishes and schools build children’s ministry that nurtures faith from the earliest stage and ensures that children feel fully part of the worshipping life of the church.

Requirements for Both Roles

There is an Occupational Requirement for both post-holders to be a practising Christian, in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010

Appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks, proof of the right to work in the UK and satisfactory references.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Rick Otto, Equip Project Manager RickOtto@manchester.anglican.org or Canon Susie Mapledoram, Director of Children and Young People susiemapledoram@manchester.anglican.org

To apply, please click the below URLs:

Equip Trainer – Early Years and Children job - Hybrid - based at St John’s House, 155-163 The Rock, Bury BL9 0ND - Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance

Equip Trainer – Youth and Chaplaincy job - Hybrid - based at St John’s House, 155-163 The Rock, Bury BL9 0ND - Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance

Applications should be submitted via laptop or desktop rather than mobile device. Please refer to the job description and person specification for further information.

Recruitment Timelines: