Building communities and big opportunities

As one of Young Bristol’s trusted supporters, your generosity has helped us transform the lives of thousands of young people across our city. You have stood with us as we opened new doors, expanded our programmes, and gave young people the chance to feel safe, supported and valued.

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This year, Young Bristol was proud to be announced as overall WINNER in the “Community Impact Award” category at the 2025 South West Business Awards. Because of supporters like you, in 2024-2025 we had over 27,215 engagements with young people through Young Bristol’s open-access youth clubs, outdoor activity programmes, and skills and employment training. This was an increase from 21,352 engagements last year, showing the increased need and demand for our services.

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Many of these young people were facing challenges no child should have to navigate: poverty, isolation, family difficulties, and the daily effects of the cost-of-living crisis. Our youth workers were there for them – listening, mentoring, and offering opportunities that help build confidence and brighter futures.

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However, as you may expect, the cost of delivering this work is rising sharply. Heating, insurance, staffing, and basic utilities have all increased. Demand from young people continues to grow at the same time.

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To keep our youth clubs open and accessible to every young person who needs us, we are seeking support with the essential core costs that make our work possible. These aren’t the most visible costs, but they are the most vital. Without a warm, safe building and a trusted youth worker inside it, there is no club, no conversation, no positive change.

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We are therefore asking if you would consider renewing your support with a contribution toward our core running costs. A gift from you would help ensure that our doors remain open, our youth workers remain present, and young people continue to have somewhere they belong.

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You already know the difference that Young Bristol makes. Your belief in our work has carried us through many years and allowed us to provide a lifeline to those who need it most. With your continued partnership, we can protect these safe spaces and make sure no young person is turned away. Thank you, as always, for standing with our young people. If you would like to talk further or visit one of our clubs, I would be delighted to arrange this.

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Support the work of Young Bristol

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We know that in the coming weeks and months, young people will need our Youth Clubs and programmes more than ever before; providing them with positive activities, support, advice and a safe place to go. With your support now, we can continue to provide vital opportunities for young people.

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Our vital work relies on your kind donations, big or small. With your help we can continue to improve the lives of young people across Bristol and beyond.

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• £7 a week for a year pays for one evening of Youth Work for 35 young people with our trained Youth Leaders.
• £50 pays for a young person to go on a residential experience
• £500 will provide a young person on our Outdoor Employment Programme with a Paddlesport Instructor qualification
• £1,450 allows the Youth Club on Wheels to deliver sessions in a community with no provision for a whole month
• £4,300 will keep one of our Community Youth Clubs open for a whole month, offering 3 nights of provision a week

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If you would like to make a donation, click here!

We are delighted to announce that we have officially published our 2024-25 Impact Report!

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This years Impact Report demonstrates our growth, success and impact for the 2024–25 period. The report reflects on how we have provided safe spaces, trusted role models, and positive opportunities, as we continue to support young people to gain the confidence, skills and belief that they can achieve great things.

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"Our collaboration with Young Bristol brings colleagues together to socialise and have fun through volunteering, fundraising and awareness sessions while making a real difference locally.

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Unite Students, Corporate Partner

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Archie Jefferies, Club Leader at BS14 Stockwood Youth Club!

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Archie has previously worked with young people through his voluntary role as a football coach over the last few years. With a background in art, sculpturing, and sports, Archie brings his passion for moving people together through creativity. He is excited to join the Young Bristol team where he hopes to bring a safe, fun, and energetic environment to the club and to help young people explore their skills, gain confidence, and unlock their potential.

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We hope you will join us in welcoming Archie to the Young Bristol team! Find out more about our team here!

We know that in the coming weeks and months, young people will need our Youth Clubs and programmes more than ever before; providing them with positive activities, support, advice and a safe place to go.

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By leaving a gift in your will to Young Bristol, you will provide a child or young person with a safe place and positive opportunities when they need it most. After your family, friends and loved ones have been provided for, we hope that you may consider finding a place in your will for Young Bristol, your local charity.

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How your support can make a difference to young people across the city:

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• £360 pays for one evening of Youth Work for 35 young people with our trained Youth Leaders.
• £500 will provide a young person on our Outdoor Employment Programme with a Paddlesport Instructor qualification.
• £4,300 will keep one of our Community Youth Clubs open for a whole month, offering 3 nights of provision a week.
• £17,400 allows the Youth Club on Wheels to deliver sessions in a community with no provision for a whole year.

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The generous support of people like you makes it possible for Young Bristol to exist and to continue to be an outstanding provider of high-quality community-based youth services and innovative programmes, that positively and sustainably impact the lives of children and young people.

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With your help, we can continue to improve the lives of young people of Bristol and beyond! Click here to find out more!

We are delighted to share that Young Bristol has been selected as Istoria Groups 'Charity of the Year'!

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Istoria Group is a collective of creative agencies with distinct, complementary skill sets. They offer a fantastic collaborative spirit and the shared ambition to make their clients' brands more visible, more relevant, and more compelling to their customers.

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The team at Istoria Group will be supporting Young Bristol through a number of opportunities over the next year, including: fundraising for us through a 'Wing Walk', skills sharing across our network, and volunteering at our Community Youth Clubs.

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Thank you to the team for your support so far! Are you interested in supporting Young Bristol and not sure how? Click here to find out more information.

Young Bristol are incredibly proud to announce that we have been awarded the 'Community Impact' Award at the South West Business of the Year Awards 2025. We are also delighted to see our Chief Executive, Lee Williams DL, shortlisted for the 'Business Leader of the Year' Award.

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On Thursday 13th November, the Young Bristol team attended the South West Business of the Year Awards, where it was great to be recognised for our hard work and dedication to young people across Bristol.

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The South West Business of the Year Awards celebrates the very best business successes from across the region. The shortlisted and winning businesses are those that are innovating, disrupting and thriving - and want to showcase their achievements.

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Young Bristol were awarded the 'Community Impact' award for 2025, which highlights businesses or individuals in the region that have demonstrated a commitment to ‘giving something back’, through CSR initiatives or charitable activities. Young Bristol has a legacy spanning nearly a century, and is an organisation that is continually evolving to meet the needs of Bristol’s youth. During the last year, we continued to provide safe spaces, skills training, and life-changing experiences that supported thousands of young people to thrive. 

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Young Bristol's Chief Executive, Lee Williams DL, was nominated by the judges of the Awards for the 'Business Leader of the Year', which showcases the most impressive business leaders from nominated businesses.

We are delighted to announce Rosanna from the Avon Youth Club is the winner of our 2025 Film Competition!

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Last month, we were pleased to host a Film Competition across our Community Youth Club and Youth Club on Wheels network. Young people from each club were encouraged to create a short film using a mobile phone, tablet or camera, to entered into our competition.

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We received a number of entries from across our club network, our judges chose one winner from the range of amazing creative skills that were showcased in the competition!

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The winners of our competition is Rosanna, a young person from Avon Youth Club session! In her film, she discussed why she would like to be a xx and xx when she grows up. Rosanna was awarded with a £15 Amazon gift card for winning the competition. Well done to Kyah, Hartcliffe Club for Young People and Tico, Hartcliffe Club for Young People, who were announced as runners up of the competition.

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Congratulations Rosanna! During November, we are running a Christmas Card competition! Ask your local Club Leader for more information on how to enter.

Are you looking to take part in exciting activities this month? Young Bristol have a range of activities, events and opportunities for young people and the wider community! Find out below what's on in your local area this month!

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Christmas Card Competition

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Create a Christmas card on our premade template and submit to a Club Leader. Winners will receive VIP Box Tickets for 4 people to Bristol’s Christmas Pantomime.

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When: Monday 3rd November - Friday 14th November

Where: Various Youth Clubs

For: Ages 8-19

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‍Super Sliders Trip

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Super Sliders are offering their Bronze and Silver Award, where you will take part in a one-day camp in which you will get the chance to try out skeleton and bobsleigh.

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When: Saturday 29th November

Where: Bath University 'Push Track'

For: Ages 16-25

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‍Also this month...

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Community Youth Clubs - For 8 – 19 year olds and are located in many areas across Bristol, open up to 4 nights per week. Each Club offers a safe and inclusive environment, staffed by caring, trained adults. Click here to find out more.

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Outdoor Employment Programme - Our free programme for young people aged 16-25 helps to develop new skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications in a variety of outdoor activities. Click here to find out more.

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Youth Club on Wheels - Our mobile youth service works with young people aged 8-19 in hard-to-reach areas of the city and rural areas where there is currently no youth provision. Click here to find out more.

This week, Young Bristol is celebrating National Trustee Week, which is an annual celebration of the achievements and incredible work Trustees offer to our charity, between Monday 3rd November - Friday 7th November.

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Young Bristol's Board of Trustees are a group of volunteers who help to drive our developing work with children and young people across Bristol. We are pleased to work with 11 trustees, who are responsible for the strategic direction and development of the charity.

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Meet our Trustee's - Cathy Dodsworth

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Cathy Dodsworth is a HR Director living in Bristol. She initially heard about Young Bristol through one of the coaches at my son’s rugby club, Owen, who is also an Outdoors Activity Instructor at Young Bristol.

She wanted to become a Trustee to combine her passion for volunteering and utilising her business experience, with learning about the charity sector. The work that Young Bristol does in supporting young people is something that she felt she could really add value to.

Over the past year, Cathy has really enjoyed visiting our youth clubs, meeting a number of young people we work with across the city, and witnessing how children benefit, grow and thrive as a result of our programmes and services. Cathy has also attend regular Trustee meetings, supporting with our finances, fundraising and future developments.

“A key highlight for me was being able to attend the Awards, AGM and Celebration event. Being able to recognise and celebrate the achievements of so many young people and staff was just fabulous to see. It was a great start to being a trustee and really brought home what Young Bristol can offer to our young people.”

One piece of advice Cathy would give to anyone looking to become a Trustee would be to be prepared to make the commitment to get involved and attend meetings or activities. Finding a charity that you feel passionate about, can really help you to feel like you can make a difference with your contribution.

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Meet our Trustee's - Shannon Ringland

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Shannon moved to Bristol in 2015 and began working at Bristol Zoo Gardens as part of the high ropes instructor team. This is where Shannon first heard about Young Bristol, with her colleagues speaking highly of the Outdoor Employment Programme (better known as the Instruictor Training Scheme at the time). Shannon joined the programme and found it a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded people and develop new skills. A year later, she began working at the SS Great Britain, leading the “Go Aloft!” climbing experience, and has since continued to work in visitor attractions across the South West.

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Having experienced the positive impact of Young Bristol first hand, Shannon was excited to become a Trustee, and saw the role as a chance to give something back to a charity she respected, while also gaining valuable insight into how charities operates at a strategic level.

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Since joining the Board less than a year ago, Shannon has focused on learning more about Young Bristol’s programmes and priorities, while contributing to discussions about the charity’s future plans. She has particularly enjoyed celebrating the successes of the team and the young people we support.

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“Seeing the impact of the team’s hard work, through the success of fundraising events and the positive outcomes for young people, is incredibly motivating. Those moments of shared achievement really capture what makes Young Bristol so special.”

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For Shannon, becoming a Trustee has been both rewarding and inspiring, helping her to build confidence, broaden her perspective, and learn from fellow Trustees and the wider staff team. One piece of advice Shannon would give to anyone looking to become a Trustee would be to find a charity you feel passionate about, as that passion will make your contribution all the more meaningful.

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Thank you to our Board of Trustees for your continued support and voluntary efforts to support Young Bristol and the young people of Bristol! Find out more about our Board of Trustees here!