The Parish of Our Lady and All Saints in Basildon has received a series of awards recognising the remarkable impact of its youth ministry, alongside the successful re‑launch and continued growth of its youth projects.
In November 2025, the parish youth ministry received a Highly Commended award in the category of ‘Strengthening Communities’ at the Basildon Activities Awards. Then in March 2026, the programme was honoured at the Basildon Volunteer Awards, winning the category of Best Group/Volunteer Group of the Year, a significant achievement that highlights the dedication of its leaders and volunteers. Another proud moment came when Arthur Bishop, one of the parish’s young leaders, was awarded Young Volunteer of the Year at the same event.
Parish priest Fr Sabu Pariyadan said: “These awards are a testament not only to the hard work of our volunteers and leaders, but to the young people themselves. Their enthusiasm, generosity, and faith inspire our whole parish community. We are incredibly proud of them.” He said the Parish of Our Lady and All Saints is also very grateful to the parish community, local supporters, volunteers and the Diocese for their ongoing encouragement and partnership.
- Hall of Dreams – for young people in school years 6 to 8
- Ignite – for ages 14+
- Big Fish – for young adults aged 18+
Participation has continued to grow steadily, with over 100 children and young adults now attending these sessions each month. Although rooted in the Catholic parish community, all of the youth projects are fully open to every young person, regardless of faith, religion, background or belief. The parish is committed to creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where all young people can feel valued, supported and part of a positive community.
Youth Coordinator Ben Heywood said: “These projects mean a great deal to me personally. I grew up attending Hall of Dreams and Field of Dreams myself, so being able to help bring them back after seven years without parish youth provision has been a privilege. Seeing so many young people return – and discovering new ones joining every week – is truly special.”
The newly established Youth Committee, formed in November 2025, has been working hard to plan Field of Dreams 2026. This year’s programme will run for two weeks, featuring days out, special guests and an expanded timetable of activities designed to engage even more children and young people from the parish and wider community. “We want Field of Dreams 2026 to be bigger, brighter, and more inclusive than ever. These projects give young people a place to belong, grow, and have fun, and we are excited to help shape the future of youth ministry in our parish,” said the committee.
Arthur Bishop, who won Young Volunteer of the Year at the Basildon Volunteer Awards recently, added: “Being part of these projects has changed my life. I love helping the younger children and being part of something that brings so much joy to our community.”Ben Heywood concluded: “Our hope is that these projects will continue for many years to come. With the support of our parish, community and Diocese, we believe the future of youth ministry here is very bright indeed.”