Catholic Herald Reporter THE first returns in a national fact-finding survey on
current problems facing the young worker are being collated at the London headquarters of the Young Christian Workers' movement and will eventually be presented to M.P.s, local councillors and employers.
"It will be the most comprehensive study of its kind ever drawn up." says Miss Mary Goggins, National Secretary of Y.C.W. "We hope to get a sociologist to help us put it all together. "Some really startling facts are emerging," she added. "particularly on unemployment in the North of England. Many girls with G.C.E. just can't find suitable employment there. Over 200 girls, for instance, applied for one job advertised by a Middlesbrough hairdresser," With carefully analysed facts arid figures to present to the authorities, Y.C.W. leaders feel that they could have a veritable blueprint for action.
Some 50 chaplains to Young Christian Workers groups in various parts of the country met in Birmingham on Easter Monday for a four-day conference on challenges to be faced by the Y.C.W. movement.
A residential course to train girls as key leaders in the movement will be held in Bolton from April 21 to 27.
Fourteen boys and girls who are leading Y.C.W. sections in Liverpool. Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle and London, will meet in Bolton from April 27-28 to work out a Y.C.W. programme centred on the role of the parish in large cities. The main question of debate will be how can Y.C.W. sections adapt activities to meet needs of communities in these cities, especially the needs of immigrants.
This year's Y.C.W. studyholiday fortnight will be held in Ireland (Cork), July 27 to August 10, and at least a hundred Y.C.W. leaders are expected to take part. Younger members of boys' sections will be doing a basic training course at Ampleforth from July 27 to August 3.