News from the Kenelm Youth Trust (KYT)

“We are delighted to welcome back Meg in her new role as Director of our retreat centres. We pray for her new ministry that it will be fruitful and blessed.” Sandra Satchell CEO, Kenelm Youth Trust. 

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself formally to you. My name is Megan Cox, and I am the new Retreat Centre Director for the Kenelm Youth Trust. This means I am now director of both of our residential retreat centres, Alton Castle and Soli, and our related outreach and day retreat projects.

I am immensely proud to take up this position after previously being both on the Mission Team and being programme staff at Alton Castle and completing my Theology degree at Birmingham Newman University, right here in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. 

Most recently I have served for five years as a frontline Paramedic in the NHS but now feel called to take up this incredible opportunity as Retreat Centre Director. 

Coming to Alton in this Jubilee Year really feels like a time of celebration and with the Church now under the leadership of our new Pope Leo XIV, a new chapter begins in the history of the Church, and we are right in this wave of new challenges and ideas. 

Alton Castle itself reaches a huge milestone in its own history in 2026, as we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Castle and ministering to young people on our site here, across the Archdiocese and beyond. 

Bringing young people close to Jesus has and always will be key and central to the work of our missions. 

Keep your eyes peeled for some celebrations to be announced for this incredible milestone anniversary.

Whilst I am still new to this role, I am eager to jump straight in and tell you what your retreat centres can offer for your young people in the upcoming year:

Alton Castle
Click here for a short summary of the retreat themes and programmes which we offer at Alton Castle. The Castle can offer students an exciting and challenging time on retreat in our outdoor retreat centre. Strengthening bonds between friends and helping your young people to really explore what a relationship with God looks like in their life. 

We are currently having real success with our Jubilee retreat and sharing what this extraordinary year means to young people. Bookings are currently open for both residential retreats and day retreats here in Alton - get in touch if there is anything we can help you with or if there are any specific themes or ideas you think we could offer to your young people! Booking enquiries can be made here and we’d love to start a conversation with you this way too.

Soli
Click here for a short summary of the retreat themes and programmes which we offer at Soli. Soli can offer your older students time to reflect and really pursue who God is to them in their lives as they really start to emerge into the world as young adults. 

Bookings are currently open for both residential retreats and outreach enrichment days in your school. If you have specific themes or ideas for your school, please get in touch and we can see how we can best serve your young people! Booking enquiries can be made here and we’d love to start a conversation with you this way too. 

Be on team
Do you know a young person who would be open to having their life changed by a year on the Alton Castle or Soli Mission Team? 

We would absolutely love to have them visit us and see if this year is for them! Keep your eyes peeled for later in the year when we will be offering some taster events for interested young people. 

Alternatively, I’d be more than happy to answer any queries on team recruitment via my email address: [email protected]

More information on the Mission Team

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