Diocesan Youth Forum: Shape the Mission Plan with Bishop Patrick

Bishop Patrick is asking young people a direct question: will you help shape the future of this Diocese?

The Diocesan Youth Forum is a new group of young Catholics aged 15 to 25 from across the Diocese of Nottingham, working directly with Bishop Patrick to shape how we live out the Mission Plan, Go, Make Disciples. This is not a consultation exercise. Forum members will meet with the Bishop, deliver real projects, and see their ideas make a difference.

What Forum members will do

• Meet with Bishop Patrick three times a year — once in person, twice online
• Take part in one formation and skills day each year
• Deliver at least one project a year connecting their parish, school, or community to the Mission Plan
• Be part of a residential weekend

What Forum members will receive

• Two years of working directly with the Bishop on something that matters
• Formation in faith, leadership, communication, and advocacy
• A reference from Bishop Patrick after 12 months
• The knowledge that their voice has shaped something real

Who can apply

The Forum is open to anyone aged 15–25 who is a practising Catholic in the Diocese of Nottingham. You can be nominated by your parish priest, school chaplain, or head teacher — or you can put yourself forward. Bishop Patrick is looking for young people who care about their faith and their community, and who are willing to show up, listen, and speak honestly.

How to apply

Three forms are needed:

A nomination form, completed by a parish priest, chaplain, or head teacher.

A young person's form, completed by the applicant — whether nominated or self-nominated.

A consent form for all applicants; if you are under 18 on 27th June, a parent or guardian must also complete the second section.

All forms are available at ndcys.com/events-and-opportunities/diocesan-youth-forum

Applications close 19th June.

FAQ

Can I apply if nobody has nominated me? Yes. Self-nominations are welcome. You will still need a supporting reference from a priest, chaplain, or teacher, but you don't need to wait to be put forward.

I'm 15, is this really for me, or is it mainly for older young adults? The Forum is genuinely open to 15 to 25 year olds. Bishop Patrick is looking for people across that whole age range.

What is the Mission Plan? Go, Make Disciples is the Diocese of Nottingham's five-year Mission Plan, launched by Bishop Patrick. It is built around three themes — Encounter, Discipleship, and Mission — and sets the direction for how the whole Diocese lives out its faith over the coming years. The Youth Forum is one of the ways young people can be part of shaping that.

How much time does it take? Three meetings with Bishop Patrick a year, one formation day, one residential weekend, and one project. It is a real commitment, not a token one but it is designed to be manageable alongside school, university, or work.