Graham hopes to ‘make a difference’ for Ottery’s youth

Ottery’s new youth pastor is hoping to help young people ‘live life to the maximum’ in his new role to identify issues and opportunity for youngsters.

Graham Harry has been in post for a week after moving from Manchester, and will be based at the Station in Barrack Road.

The 45-year-old has been employed by TheO6, a charity made up of Ottery’s six churches, to provide a signpost and support service initially for youngsters 10 to 19.

He hopes to work with the local schools and churches to support the town’s young people.

Graham, who is originally from Exeter and a father-of-four, said: “I went into youth work to make a difference, to enable young people to see they have. They have the power and the skills in them to change the world if they want.

“My goal is that they will recognise their ambitions and in time be able to fulfil that ambition.”

TheO6 had previously employed a street youth pastor in the town and re-advertised for the role as it felt there was a need.

The grandfather-of-one, added: “What I have to do is assess the need for the town and what is required, as there might be issues that are unique to Ottery.”

The Reverend Mac Dick, from TheO6, said being a Christian was not a condition to use the youth pastor service.

He said: “It is to show them a better way to live their life, to make sure they live their life to the maximum whether that’s school, work, relationships with family or friends, and making them into good citizens.”

He added as part of his vision that the group would be able to offer summer adventure holidays to allow young people to get out of their day-to-day life.