FLOURISH
FLOURISH is a growing movement of new worshipping communities in schools, established in partnerships with local churches. FLOURISH is rooted in five core principles, that are shaping dynamic, contextualised, young people-led worshipping communities.
What is FLOURISH?
The initial phase brings together a range of dioceses, churches and schools working collaboratively to explore and develop this vision. Many of these communities are continuing to embed and grow beyond their initial involvement, with a strong proportion expected to carry on into future years.
Alongside this, several participating dioceses are beginning to extend the model into additional schools within their own contexts. The project continues to expand through new partnerships, with further phases planned to involve additional dioceses as the work develops.
The principles of FLOURISH
The principles in action
Hear from participants of FLOURISH about the impact of the principles in action:
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'I never thought I would see it happen that, a church or worshipping community, or whatever you want to call it, wouldn't be led by adults, or parents, or guardians, but would be led by younger leaders. I think that is pretty cool, That we are being recognised too.'
Pupil, age 10 - William Law Primary School, Peterborough
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’Being prayerfully present and listening to children is a very precious way the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Children are great evangelists amongst their peers and have invited their friends to join our after school club which has now more than doubled from its original 8 founding members in Jan 2025 to 18 registered now.’
FLOURISH lead, Combe Down Primary School, Bath & Wells
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’Both the ECC members and the deputy head spoke of FLOURISH and how it had catalysed a culture change and a deepening, strong relationship between church and school.’
Diocese lead, St Chad’s, Bristol
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’We saw God at work when a gentleman from the local care home who is very quiet, was helped with his advent bracelet by one of our children and he shared with her the hope card he had made in the last Flourish Worship that he had kept in his pocket.’
FLOURISH lead, St Chad’s C of E Primary School, Chester
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‘FLOURISH has raised the spiritual temperature of our school community, it is having impact far beyond the times when we gather to worship.’
FLOURISH lead, All Saints C of E Primary School, Chester)
Gather nationally, impact locally
While each of the FLOURISH worshipping communities gathers regularly in their location for worship, and to train their young leaders, we also facilitate national gatherings enabling the children and young people to connect and recognise that they are part of something bigger.
We host online interactive sessions for the FLOURISH locations, posting out mystery boxes containing activities and surprises which the children open live on a Zoom call.
We also hold annual in person gatherings where we bring all the young leaders from across all of the locations together to celebrate all that God is doing across the country.
Locally, FLOURISH worshipping communities are having a meaningful impact. On average, 29 children and young people regularly attend each community, with attendance slightly higher in primary settings at 32 and slightly lower in secondary settings at 26.
In addition, an average of 12 adults regularly attend each FLOURISH worshipping community, with significantly higher participation in primary settings, where the average is 19, compared with 4 in secondary settings. Several of our locations have also celebrated important life events within FLOURISH, including our first baptisms and confirmations taking place across these worshipping communities.