The Young Helpers Group, on average, has 100 members who all stay at the Alba Hotel. The leader of the group is Miss Becky Banfield. Becky is assisted during the week by various people during the week, and works closely with the Heads of Service.
The Young Helpers Group takes its numbers from diocese and group volunteer helpers aged between 17-25. The group either assist as Brancardiers, Handmaids, Nurses or Doctors.
Within the Young Helpers Group there is a great team spirit and great friendships are made throughout the week.
Here are some thoughts from recent Young Helpers:
“Going to Lourdes every year is like escaping from the real world
into the bubble of kind, loving, caring people. It really is an eye opening
experience every single time (though it may get tough at times), and that’s
when one needs support, friends and help from experienced people.
The Youth is a fusion of people from different backgrounds and with different skills all ready to give a piece of advice, and a happy comforting smile or hug. It's not just about meeting new people either - it's about creating strong friendships with other helpers of common grounds and views.
Travelling with people who speak the same language and are roughly the same age makes it more familiar and easier for the new people. I recommend everyone gives Lourdes a go."
"Going to Lourdes for me has been an eye opener which has changed me for the better. As a young helper you are truly immersed in every aspect of the pilgrimage, from taking part to helping out. I have loved every year i've gone and i intend to go for many more years to come. "
"“Why do you go to Lourdes?” is one of those questions you cant find the exact answer to. It’s a difficult thing to put into words. You go for the first time because you’ve heard about it through friends, family or school. You think it might be an interesting experience. You’re not really aware at that point that coming to Lourdes is going to change your life.
Lourdes, to quote a cliché, is a place you really need to see to believe. In the world we live in, there seems to be a never-ending supply of doom and gloom; wars, natural disasters, famine, death, crime. When I came to Lourdes, it was like someone had opened up my eyes to how much good there is the world and how much people are capable of giving. I’ve kept coming back for that feeling; and because I realised I’d found something to give me faith and strength in my day-to-day life. Something as simple as attending a mass, and seeing people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life come together moved me to an indescribable extent. Lourdes put life into perspective and made me feel like I was beginning to see the bigger picture.
Coming with the youth group is the cherry on the cake. It is a rollercoaster and then some. The long shifts, the food at the legendary Alba hotel and the inevitable sunburn pale into insignificance at the end of it all because you’ve had the time of your life. And when you leave, you know that the friends you’ve made are people you can rely on in the long run. I met some of my closest friends in Lourdes a few summers ago; and every year we keep coming back, because it is one of the few places we can feel truly, ridiculously happy. "
To discover more about the CA Pilgrimage, and how you can join the Young Helpers' Group, please contact Becky Banfield who would love to hear from you!