1. Faith in Action Award

2. Principles of the Faith in Action AWARD
FAITH - SERVICE - REFLECTION
THANK YOU - The Award recognises young people’s service to God, the Church and others and gives ‘us’ a chance to say thank you.
FLEXIBLE - Recognises the diverse Church in England and Wales
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE - From age Y6 - Y11, of any academic ability and from any faith background. Output is not necessarily academic
RAISING ASPIRATION - Acknowledging good work and encouraging young people to do more
REFLECTION – ongoing reflection of what they are doing and why
HOME AND AWAY BASE - principle of service in two places

3. BENEFITS To celebrate the faith journey of young people
To strengthen links between individuals, communities and organisations
To explore the universal call to holiness
Encourages school/parish links
Completely inclusive - accessible by all participants
Simple and powerful way of reflecting on active faith
Enables outreach and inspires action
Motivation for young people to do more

4. Core elements
4 reflection points in a minimum of two meetings and must cover a minimum of six hours
Each reflection point must cover God’s story, Church story and personal story
Gaining credits for service in two or more places after pin level
Final piece of work must be submitted
Young person must journal throughout the award showing service and reflection on it
Some celebration at the end of the award

5. Who is it for? Y6 - Y11 Primary School Secondary School
Parish Youth Groups
Pre/Post Confirmation Groups

6. HOW IT WORKS
There are fours levels of award: Pin, Bronze, Silver and Gold
Participants are expected to accrue credits of service in parish/school and the wider community
The scheme involves the opportunity for both guided and personal reflection, through journaling
Participants submit a final piece of work for moderation – this includes their journal and record card

7. REFLECTION

8. Reflection Points 4 reflection point titles based on love and service
1. We are loved 2. Loving our neighbour 3. Building the Kingdom of God 4. Servant Leadership
The suggested length for each reflection point is 90 minutes
Reflection points can be split to fit in with you but there is a minimum requirement of two reflection sessions per year

9. Reflection Points Start with participants’ experience
Explore Sacred Scripture (God’s story)
Consider the lives of exemplar Christians (The Church’s Story)
Reflect on what all of the above says about faith (The Church’s Story)
Consider what all of the above is saying to ‘me’ (My Story)

10. Award Levels

11. Pin Award: Discovery
At this early stage, participants will begin a journey of discovering what it means for faith to be active.
This level is designed to be completed as a group/class, instilling the idea of working together as a community. In this way, participants will become aware that others around them are on the same journey of discovery.

12. Expectations and examples
20 home credits, 0 away credits
Age range: Y6 (age 10-11)
Completed as a group or class
Led by teacher/youth leader/catechist
Examples of service: Fundraising in school/parish; Working together on an assembly Putting together charity hampers; Shoebox appeal

13. Bronze Award: Service
Participants at Bronze Level take the initial steps in responding to their faith, by way of serving others. At this stage, participants will begin to gain a deeper understanding of how faith is interlinked with service.
The Bronze Award encourages participants to become involved in their parish/school/wider community, helping them to understand that their faith and action not only makes them belong to/in a community, but also makes them responsible for the well being of all others who belong.

14. Expectations and examples
20 home credits, 10 away credits
Age range: Y7+ (age 11 onwards)
Participants make their own decisions about what service they would like to do
Examples of service: minister of the Word; altar server; serving tea and coffee after Mass; plan and participate in a liturgy/reflection; Visit a care home

15. Silver Award: Leadership
This level encourages a maturity of faith which is expressed in terms of leadership and initiative.
Participants at this level should be able to recognise that serving others is a direct consequence of their faith and their desire to do God’s will.
In addition to meeting the criteria required for the Bronze Award, participants should be making the best use of their gifts and talents by leading others for the good of the wider community.

16. Expectations AND Examples
20 home credits, 15 away credits
Age range: Y8+ (age 12 onwards)
Independent organisation and evidence of leadership
Examples of service: leading children’s liturgy; organising a parish social event; regularly volunteer for a charity, e.g. CAFOD, HCPT

17. Gold Award: Innovation
The essence of the Gold Award is found in the participant’s desire to develop and establish new ideas in terms of outreach and missionary work on behalf of the Church community.
Participants will be required to complete acts of service outside of existing parish/school structures, which demands a greater level of innovation.
This level promotes spiritual and personal growth, and challenges participants to be true missionary disciples.

18. expectations and Examples
20 home credits, 20 away credits
Age range: Y10 and Y11
Independent organisation and leadership
Evidence of innovation and development
Evidence of commitment through regular participation/acts of service
Examples of service: initiate, plan and organise an act of collective worship; organise and lead a FIA fundraiser/activity

19. Record of Service

20. “The Faith in Action Award gave me the chance to explore my faith in a more intimate way with those around me. MY experience taught me leadership, determination and most of all, new ways to love.”
Charlotte

21. Journaling, Final Piece of Work and Moderation
Provided that the participant has engaged properly with the scheme and has been well-led through the reflection points, with a well kept journal, there should be no question of passing or failing
Final piece can be a video, poem, written reflection, song
If written, it should be no more than two sides of A4 paper
As creative as possible
Reflects experience and understanding
Shows integration of experience, learning, reflection and faith
Is a springboard for the participant to do more
Final pieces of work are moderated, not marked.

22. ANNUAL Process
Recruit for
a new year
Identify work
for credits

23. ANNUAL Process Recruit for Earn a new year Credits
Earn More
Credits
Identify work
for credits
Record Card Updating
Earn even
more Credits

24. ANNUAL Process Recruit for Earn a new year Credits Reflection
Point(s) 1 and 2
Earn More
Credits
Identify work
for credits
Record Card Updating
Reflection
Point(s) 3 and 4
Earn even
more Credits
Journaling

25. ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Earn Credits Reflection
Point(s) 1 and 2
Earn More
Credits
Identify work
for credits
Record Card Updating
Reflection
Point(s) 3 and 4
Final Piece
of Work
Earn even
more Credits
Journaling

26. ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Earn Credits Reflection
Point(s) 1 and 2
Earn More
Credits
Identify work
for credits
Record Card Updating
Reflection
Point(s) 3 and 4
Final Piece
of Work
Earn even
more Credits
Moderation
Journaling

27. ANNUAL Process Recruit for a new year Earn Credits Reflection
Point(s) 1 and 2
Earn More
Credits
Identify work
for credits
Record Card Updating
Reflection
Point(s) 3 and 4
Final Piece
of Work
Earn even
more Credits
Moderation
Award
Ceremony
Journaling

28. Glossary - People
AWARDING AUTHORITY (AA) The organisers of the Award, who register with CYMFed. (This is YMT)
AWARD CO-ORDINATOR Cor-ordinator of the Award for the AA. This person will liaise with CYMFed and the Award leaders for each PO. (Mary and Tony)
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATION (PO) A school or parish who are taking part in the Award. A PO registers with their Awarding Authority. (Your school or parish)
AWARD LEADER The person who co-ordinates and leads the Award within the PO. (You)

29. Award Presentation

30. AWARD PRESENTATION
We would recommend that the award ceremony is done at a Partnership level if possible
This is the opportunity to bring everyone together (parishes, schools, organisations, Parents etc.) to celebrate the achievements of the young people
Interviewing a few of the participants who will reflect on their experiences is a very powerful addition to the ceremony
Medals to be ordered through YMT 2 months before they are needed

31. What do you need and where to find it
Record Card
Participating Organisation Registration Form
Order Form for Badges and Certificates
resources/CYMFED-Faith-in-Action-Award
– Nottingham
- Liverpool
2018/ - Bromley

32. Faith in action vs john Paul ii award
Reflection points as a group are key to the FiA Award
Progression through Pin, Bronze, Silver, Gold over the years
Younger children so more supervision over the activities
Two (or more) centre work for FiA, Home and Away
FiA Awards to year 6 to year 11 in our Diocese
FiA is locally based and managed (parish, school, partnership)
Moderation needs; Record of Service, Journal and Final piece of Work

33. Questions