Pete Emmott
Haywards Heath,West Sussex
Summary
Part-time Catholic youth worker and Retreat Centre Director with over 20 years of experience in both Catholic and secular youth work settings. Proven track record of leading teams to deadlines, coordinating impactful events, and creating innovative resources. Skilled in project management, event planning, and fostering meaningful discipleship within the Church community. Passionate about equipping schools and parishes to effectively communicate the Gospel.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Hospitality Director
Worth Abbey
Turners Hill
09.2024 - Current
- Overall management of retreat centres at Worth Abbey.
- Responsible for content and themes.
- Lead and manage Hospitality Team.
Youth Worker (Self Employed)
Mid Sussex Catholic Parish
Burgess Hill
02.2025 - Current
- Responsible for twice-weekly Church based Youth Clubs
- Create and deliver diverse and relevant programme
Youth Work Consultant (Self Employed)
Invitational Youth Ministry
Brighton, Brighton and Hove
06.2024 - Current
- Youth Work Coach and Trainer
- Equipping Parishes and Organisations to deliver good Youth Work
- Speaker and Workshop Leader
Lay Chaplain
St Paul's Catholic College
Burgess Hill, West Sussex
09.2020 - 08.2024
- Responsible for Catholic life and ethos of College
- Organised and developed small and large retreats, mission weeks and Liturgies (in particular Mission Week for over 1600 people in Oct 2023)
- Developed young leadership group across whole school, including CAFOD leadership, Chaplaincy Team and the CSYMI Course
- Oversaw social media and other publicity material for Chaplaincy
- Responsible for assembly content and development
- Part of College pastoral care, offering mentoring and support in all areas of life
- Trained to deliver Rainbows Bereavement Course
- Part of Governing body Ethos Committee
- Applied knowledge regarding crisis interventions to assist in emergency situations.
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Church
London
10.2018 - 08.2020
- Responsible for evangelisation: planning and delivering Alpha and other events; training and recruiting volunteers
- Responsible for online presence in response to pandemic: social media; website; youtube and podcasting
- General office administrative duties
- Responsible for hospitality co-ordination: recruitment and training of teams; ordering and managing resources and budgets
- General team duties in regards to premises management and maintenance
Youth Worker and Chaplain
Sacred Heart RC Church, and JFK School
Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead
06.2008 - 10.2018
- Responsibilities included; developing youth clubs, developing youth led services, schools work, music ministry, engaging young people in the decision making, planning and activities of the churches life, building links ecumenically and supporting and leading the planning and delivery of catechesis
- Part of Chaplaincy Team in John F Kennedy RC Secondary School, providing resources and pastoral care
- Developing young leaders programme, mentoring and training
- Part of work includes working in local schools and neighbouring Parish in Tring
- Management of youth work interns and other church staff.
- Developed and delivered a number of church wide events for young people and families, including Summer Camps with over 100 people present
Formation Group Tutor
for Youth Ministry
Oxford
09.2007 - 09.2013
- Fieldwork Tutor and occasional lecturer
- Training and developing student youth workers
Joint Safeguarding Officer
The Lay Community of St Benedict
09.2007 - 09.2010
- Voluntary role, jointly responsible for the CRB process, development and in-house training for the organisation.
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Assistant
St Paul's Catholic School
Milton Keynes
07.2006 - 06.2008
- Overall pastoral responsibility for a year group; main contact for outside agencies such as EWO, CAMHS and Connexions and for parents of year group
- Responsible for event planning and development
- Part of Diocesan Youth events team
- Also responsible for spiritual development of students in year group, including residentials and assemblies
- Developed resources for spiritual life of school
- Helped develop Student Voice within the school
- Liaised with local churches and charities to access further services.
Student Youth Worker
The Open Cloister
Turners Hill
09.2003 - 08.2006
- Organised and ran retreats for young people aged 11-18
- Responsibilities included building, resources and small budget management; team development and training; planning and delivery of program; development of youth forum to increase young people participation; working with stakeholders and with local youth work organisations
- Also responsible for volunteer training.
Sessional Youth Worker
Tranmere Alliance
Wirral
07.2005 - 08.2005
- Accompanied young people from disadvantaged backgrounds on activity trips, including quad biking, canoeing and Quasar
- Was also responsible for facilitating a group that designed their own activities, helping them to develop skills in budgeting, planning and resource management.
Student Youth Worker
Weston Spirit
Rhyl
01.2005 - 06.2005
- Placement for youth work degree
- Main role was at ‘Membership' evening
- Responsibilities included planning, skills development, leading sessions and discussion, attending planning meetings
- Also helped plan and deliver a residential experience as part of program
- Other roles included occasional schools work and evening trips.
Stockroom Team
Next Retail Ltd
Speke
11.2003 - 06.2005
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, strictly following company procedures to ensure all stockroom areas were clean, tidy and presentable at all times.
- Handled deliveries of all incoming and outgoing merchandise
Student Youth Worker
Woolton Youth Centre
Kings
01.2004 - 06.2004
- Placement for youth work degree
- Drop in evenings
- Responsibilities included building and resources management, supporting projects designed by young people and input into the curriculum of the centre.
Overseas Settlements Team
Rathbone Investment Management
Liverpool
05.2001 - 07.2003
- Responsibilities included: General office administration; portfolio asset administration
- Developed in-house systems to reduce outstanding international settlement issues
- Maintained compliance with regulatory requirements related to portfolio management and reporting.
Sales Advisor
Mothercare World Aintree
Liverpool
11.1999 - 10.2000
- Provided high levels of in-store service, promptly resolving complaints to maintain customer satisfaction..
- Handled concerns and complaints with care, delivering positive outcomes for continued customer loyalty.
- Processed payments promptly and precisely using Point Of Sale (POS) systems, minimising customer waiting times.
Education
Ba(Hons) - Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford 09.2003 - 08.2006
JNC Level 2 - Youth Work
National Youth Agency
England 09.2003 - 08.2005
Diploma of Higher Education - English Literature and Theology
Liverpool Hope University College
Liverpool 09.1997 - 08.1999
A-Levels -
St Francis Xavier's College
Liverpool 09.1995 - 08.1997
GCSEs -
St. Francis Xavier's College
Liverpool1997
Much Woolton R.C. Primary School
Liverpool1990
Interests
HOBBIES: I actively contribute to my local Parish, St. Paul's in Haywards Heath (A & B Diocese). I enjoy staying active through running, fell-walking, and playing tennis and football. Additionally, I have a keen interest in music and play the guitar in my spare time. I also enjoy reading, playing table-top role-playing games, and indulging in table tennis. Outside of my hobbies, I cherish spending quality time with my wife and four children, engaging in activities such as baking, playing, reading, and simply enjoying life together.
References
Current Employer
Emma Hickmott, Commercial and Hospitality Bursar
Worth School, Paddockhurst Road, RH10 4SD
01342 710219
ehickmott@worth.org.uk
Previous School (was Chaplain there)
Phil Byrne Head of School,
St Paul's Catholic College, Burgess Hill, RH15 8GA
01444 873898
pbyrne@stpaulscc.co.uk
Parish Priest
Fr Raglan Hay-Will
Mid Sussex Catholic Parish, West Sussex, RH16 3PQ
01444 450 139
raglan.haywill@abdiocese.org.uk
Character Reference
Paul Neves
Head Teacher, John F Kennedy Catholic School, Hollybush Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 2PH
01442 266150
pneves@jfk.herts.sch.uk
Timeline
Youth Worker (Self Employed)
Mid Sussex Catholic Parish
02.2025 - Current
Hospitality Director
Worth Abbey
09.2024 - Current
Youth Work Consultant (Self Employed)
Invitational Youth Ministry
06.2024 - Current
Lay Chaplain
St Paul's Catholic College
09.2020 - 08.2024
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Church
10.2018 - 08.2020
Youth Worker and Chaplain
Sacred Heart RC Church, and JFK School
06.2008 - 10.2018
Formation Group Tutor
for Youth Ministry
09.2007 - 09.2013
Joint Safeguarding Officer
The Lay Community of St Benedict
09.2007 - 09.2010
Chaplaincy and Pastoral Assistant
St Paul's Catholic School
07.2006 - 06.2008
Sessional Youth Worker
Tranmere Alliance
07.2005 - 08.2005
Student Youth Worker
Weston Spirit
01.2005 - 06.2005
Student Youth Worker
Woolton Youth Centre
01.2004 - 06.2004
Stockroom Team
Next Retail Ltd
11.2003 - 06.2005
Ba(Hons) - Youth and Community Work with Applied Theology
Oxford Brookes University
09.2003 - 08.2006
JNC Level 2 - Youth Work
National Youth Agency
09.2003 - 08.2005
Student Youth Worker
The Open Cloister
09.2003 - 08.2006
Overseas Settlements Team
Rathbone Investment Management
05.2001 - 07.2003
Sales Advisor
Mothercare World Aintree
11.1999 - 10.2000
Diploma of Higher Education - English Literature and Theology
Liverpool Hope University College
09.1997 - 08.1999
A-Levels -
St Francis Xavier's College
09.1995 - 08.1997
GCSEs -
St. Francis Xavier's College
Much Woolton R.C. Primary School