The Overcrofters – our mission

The Overcrofters aims to provide all young people who are members of the worshipping community of Liverpool Cathedral with:

• a Christian structure within which they can feel cherished and valued and from which they can get support and encouragement as they develop into adulthood
• pastoral support  in their personal and spiritual lives
• moral and practical support in their academic or professional lives.
• opportunities for social time and fellowship within the group and within the Cathedral company.
• support and encouragement for any existing commitment to other aspects of Cathedral life

The Overcrofters also aims to provide opportunites, for young people that want them:

• to become involved in other aspects of the life and ministry of Liverpool Cathedral
• for admission to Holy Communion through Confirmation and for development in the Christian faith.

All Overcrofters’ activities are arranged to fit around schoolwork, studying and other commitments young people may have, either at the Cathedral or elsewhere.

• Former choristers and members of the Cross Guild are welcome to join the Overcrofters but membership is NOT open to serving choristers due to the high level of commitment they already give to the Cathedral.
• Members are encouraged to make suggestions for activities, events and trips they would like to organise, and to ask if they would like to be involved with other aspects of Cathedral life.

Overcrofters enjoy a variety of events and activities and are involved in the life of the Cathedral in many and varied ways.

Recent trips include:

• Visits to other cathedrals
• Blackpool lights
• the ‘Another Place’ sculptures on Crosby beach
• Joining the Cathedral Choir on a tour of the Netherlands.

Meetings include activities organised by young people:

• barbecues
• football matches
• tours of the Cathedral
• cooking meals for the Dean and Chapter followed by Sung Compline in the Cathedral
• an all-night vigil in the Cathedral. enjoying the building and sharing in worship and fellowship with each other.

Overcrofters have taken part in many Cathedral events, including:

• stewarding at the High Sheriff’s ‘Sound and Light’ concert to raise money for the Girls’ Choir
• stewarding at a performance by the Myriad Theatre Company of the Henry James’s play ‘The Turn of the Screw’
• reading and singing at a Taize evening organised by St Hilda’s School.

The group has been involved with the musical life of the Cathedral and the City including:

• singing in the annual Cathedral performance of the Messiah, the Midnight Eucharist and the Lord Mayor’s Carol Concert at St George’s Hall.
• singing madrigals in the Cathedral and the Close on May morning, in the tradition of Magdalen College, Oxford.
• reading at the Cathedral’s Christmas services.​

All activities are supervised by Cathedral youth leaders with enhanced DBS clearance to work with children.

The Overcrofters are led by the members of the Cathedral Youth Ministry Group. The Youth Ministry Group Leader is Nick Basson. The leaders are always happy to receive questions and comments about work with children and young people.​ If you would like to know more about the Overcrofters, email: overcrofters@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

How are we funded?

The Overcrofters receive some funding from the Dean and Chapter but donations towards work with children and young people at the Cathedral are always welcome. Visit the Support Our Work section for details on how you can help.