Gap year opportunity


If you are thinking ‘what next?’, trying to discern what God is saying to you and wanting the opportunity to make a difference, this could be for you!

We are offering a gap year experience with the opportunity to develop new and existing skills, be part of creative forms of Christian worship and community, and the chance to work with young adults - helping them to develop in their skills, confidence and grow in community. Please apply for the Gap Year at Strawberry Field here. Note: the deadline has been extended to 3 October.

What would you be involved in?

The Gap Year has three elements;

  • Based at the Strawberry Field site and other sites in the Liverpool area, you would be part of the Steps at Strawberry Field team. You would be involved in the support of the trainees, have opportunities to lead small groups, support placements, work with employers and placement providers and develop your skills and experience.
  • You would have the opportunity to work with the Strawberry Field Fresh Expression team. Here you would be engaging with locals and visiting communities, be involved in supporting groups in creative worship and assisting in developing the spiritual rhythm of the site.
  • You would have opportunity for training and reflection on your journey. This will be split between training led by the Divisional Youth Specialist and self-directed learning through reading and self-reflection. 

It is hoped the gap year will also include the chance to be part of the FORGE training, which will support you in becoming more missional in your own community.

We would be interested in talking with you as to your interests and gifts to ensure you get the most out of the experience. 

Why apply?

This experience will provide:

  • The opportunity to be part of integrated mission within The Salvation Army
  • The opportunity to develop a passion to recognise and be involved in the mission of God
  • Time and experience to discern what's next in your walk with God
  • The opportunity to develop new and existing skills and gifts. This may include small group teaching and facilitation, support to individuals and families, linking with employers, experiencing a wide spectrum of expressions of worship, developing activities and working in creative ways.  

Who is it open to?

The gap year opportunities are open to you if you are a committed Christian wanting to explore your faith.

(If successful at interview and with positive references, you will be asked to complete a DBS application online.  Any potential gap year recruit with a schedule 1 offence will not be recruited; any other convictions will be subject to the discretion of TSA.) 

Who are we are looking for?

  • Someone who is committed to putting their Christian faith into practice
  • Someone who enjoys getting alongside others and can work as part of a varied team
  • Someone who wants to learn
  • Someone who is open to new experiences
  • Someone who will work within the ethos, values and policies of The Salvation Army and Strawberry Field

We would not be able to reimburse travel from home to the site but would pay receipted travel expenses for activities undertaken as part of the gap year experience. You would also have access to a computer, a mobile phone (to be returned at the end of the gap year), branded t shirts and workwear, and access to The Salvation Army online training courses.

You will be positively supported by a Practice Learning Co-ordinator throughout your time, along with mentoring from the Divisional Youth Specialist and guidance from the Fresh Expression Lead to make the most of your learning and experience.

About Strawberry Field

Strawberry Field is a Salvation Army Christian community site in Woolton, Liverpool, reopened in 2019, it is a unique site that brings together people from all walks of life, encompassing a fresh expression of Church, a training programme for young people with learning disabilities and barriers to employment as well as a visitor experience including an interactive exhibition, café and shop. Across the integrated mission, it provides a place of community, a place of transformation and a place of rest.

Steps at Strawberry Field

The Steps at Strawberry Field training programmes offer an incredible opportunity for people in Liverpool and Merseyside with learning difficulties or other barriers to employment, to develop and achieve their goals; offering intensive support and guidance with the objective of being work ready moving to employment or meaningful volunteering. Our goal is to help even more people to realise their dreams. You can find out more about Steps at Strawberry Field here.

Fresh Expression

The Strawberry Field Community is supported and encouraged by what is known as the ‘Fresh Expression’ Team. They create opportunities for those around them to find out more about what it means to explore spirituality and faith. They engage with the local community face to face and also further afield online, as well as supporting staff, volunteers, trainees and their families pastorally.

 ‘We aim to be an inclusive community with God at the centre. Welcoming all to connect, be still, create and grow’

The Fresh Expression Team journey individually with people and also in small groups. At the heart of the community is a team of prayer warriors who meet every week. A monthly gathering on site to explore creative ways of engaging with God is run alongside a weekly Hopefulness course, as well as Alpha.

If you would like to come and visit Strawberry Field and have a conversation about this opportunity, please contact lynne.furlong@salvationarmy.org.uk.

“The plan to open Strawberry Field to the public for the first time - so people can see a unique exhibition about the home, how and why the song was written by John, and allow visitors to explore the grounds as John did as a child - is very exciting.”

Lady Judy Martin OBE