We warmly welcome everyone of all ages to our meetings.
Winchester Quakers currently hold meetings for children and teenagers at 10:30 on the second Sunday of the month, and also have All Age Worship (blended) on the 5th Sunday of the month at 10.30am. Southampton's Children’s Meeting meets once a month usually on the third Sunday.
We aim to offer a Quaker approach which is accepting and encouraging, helping children to feel happy and secure. Themes are linked to Quaker Testimonies with activities suitable to all ages.
Parents are welcome to stay with their children or to join the adult meeting, as they wish. All volunteer helpers have DBS clearance and are aware of safeguarding issues.
Teenager WhatsApp Group
Teenagers across Hampshire and the Islands keep in touch with each other using our local Quaker WhatsApp Group, for over 13s.
Get in touch with Pendella from Winchester Meeting if you'd like to be added - you can send her a message on the 'Contact Us' page.
"A packed week of friendship, nurture and fun"
Junior Gathering (for 11-14s) and Senior Conference (for 15-18s) offer the opportunity for young people to come together for a week-long residential event each summer. All welcome - participants do not need to come from a Quaker background.
These residential events are run in a Quaker way, which means that the Quaker values of Truth & Integrity, Equality & Community, Peace, Simplicity and The earth & Environment are what guide us in creating a packed week of friendship, nurture and fun.
Funding is available for those who need it - ask at your local meeting.
Junior Yearly Meeting
Junior Yearly Meeting (JYM) is a welcoming, exciting and thought-provoking annual event for young people aged 15- 18.
Whether you have recently discovered Quakerism or have been a Quaker all your life, JYM offers the opportunity to meet new people, make friends through social activities and engage with spiritual practices and ideas. The event is run by young people, who are supported by a team of adults.
Financial assistance is available for those wishing to attend, please ask your Local Meeting.
Young Friends General Meeting (YFGM)
YFGM is the national community for young adults (18-35) within the Religious Society of Friends.
The name refers to both the organisation and to the three gatherings held over weekends in February, May, and October each year. These take place in various Quaker Meeting Houses across Britain, and there is also an active online community between meetings
"We describe ourselves as a diverse bunch, united by a willingness to explore issues surrounding faith and social justice, who worship together in silence, but also use workshops and interactive spirituality sessions to explore how our faith is calling us to act in the world."
YFGM newcomers get travel costs reimbursed on their first gathering, and there is an access fund and a bursary fund for anyone who needs it to attend. This is all explained on the YFGM website here.
Young Quakers Group
Young Friends (mostly 18-35) in and around Southampton meet up for social evenings, and keep in touch with Quaker events and news via our WhatsApp group. Send a message to Jayne if you'd like to be added to our contact list. Use the contact form here.
Young Quakers from across the area are planning a residential weekend at Hilfield Friary in Dorset from 14th to 16th November, get in touch with David if you'd like to find out more, also via the Contact Us page
Quiet Time at Southampton University
Also, for students and staff, we hold an informal period of about thirty minutes quiet time in the Faith & Reflection Centre on the Highfield Campus of Southampton University, Mondays from 1pm during term time. There is time for catch up, mutual support and spiritual exploration over a cup of tea afterwards.
- please contact Ruth Carr if you would like to be added to the Hampshire Students WhatsApp group for dates and news.