News, stories & updates

Young Bristol are incredibly proud to share that Charlie Sinclair, Club Leader at BS14 Youth Club has completed her Level 3 Youth Work qualification!

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Charlie completed her Level 3 Youth Work qualification with South Gloucestershire Playscheme in 2025. Since beginning the course, Charlie has learnt how to engage with young people in a youth work setting, and how she can promote young people’s personal and social development, enabling them to have a voice and influence in the community.

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We are proud of Charlie for completing her Youth Work training, as this not only helps her to develop professionally, but has a huge impact on our delivery. Charlie has already used her learning to plan the clubs sessions and has changed the way she engages with our young people. Congratulations!

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- Andy Kimber, Head of Operations & HR

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At Young Bristol, we continue to reinforce our strategy pillars by developing our people and programmes by providing opportunities for personal and professional development, skills for life and opportunities to grow.

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Congratulations Charlie on completing your Level 3 Youth Work qualification!

Last week was the first week of Young Bristol's Summer Holiday Provision. We saw delivery from six of Young Bristol’s Community Youth Clubs, Youth Club on Wheels and Outdoor Activity Centre, working with new and existing young people, providing them with exciting and enriching opportunities, access to a free hot meal and the opportunity to build new friendships.

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The first week of our Summer Holiday Provision saw:

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• 346 contacts with young people across our Holiday Clubs and Open Access provision
• 25+ sessions across the city
• 9 communities supported through our Community Youth Clubs and Youth Club on Wheels.

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Key highlights of the week:

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Avon Youth Club hosted a wide range of workshops and trips during their first week of summer delivery, including an archery day, BMX workshops, a visit from SS Great Britain as well as a trip to Blaise Court, the clubs local residential home, where the group took part in intergenerational activities..

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Hartcliffe club for Young People ran a number of playscheme sessions throughout the week, offering a number of sports and creative activities for young people to enjoy. This included football, dreamcatcher decorating and plant pot making!

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Our Youth Club on Wheels has resumed delivery in Brislington, Henbury, Hengrove and Horfield for young people aged 8-19. Our team offer a wide range of activities for young people to enjoy throughout the year including sports, arts, cooking and discussion based activities. To find out more about your local Youth Club on Wheels session, click here!

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Young Bristol would like to thank our staff team, partner organisations, and funders for helping make last week part of the summer of a lifetime. We would also like to thank the Your Holiday Hub Bristol Programme, supported by Bristol City Council and The Department for Education, for supporting our Holiday Clubs at our city-wide Community Youth Club venues.

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Find out more about our holiday programmes here.

Last week, we were delighted to welcome the team from Rebus Medical to Ashton Vale Club for Young People, where 16 of their dedicated team members helped us to improve our facilities for young people!

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During their voluntary day, the team from Rebus Medical joined us outside in the sunshine to get stuck in with some outdoors tasks! The volunteers spent the day trimming back hedges and clearing weeds from around the multi-sports court. The team also helped us with painting around the club, where they painted the walls in the clubs entranceway, helping the Ashton Vale Club for Young People to look more bright and welcoming!

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Thank you to everyone at Rebus Medical for helping us to create a safe, positive place where our young people can thrive! We appreciate your support!

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There are many ways you can work with Young Bristol and support what we do. As a charity, we are committed to building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with corporate organisations in Bristol and surrounding areas. Find out how you can support us today! Click here for more information.

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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Holiday Clubs

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During the Summer, we have a number of Holiday Activities and opportunities on offer for all young people to enjoy, with a focus on those in receipt of free school meals. Each session, all young people will receive a free hot, healthy meal! Find out more about our sessions here!

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When: Monday 4th August- Friday 29th August

Where: Various Community Youth Clubs

For: Ages 8-19

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Outdoor Activities

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Our Outdoor Activity Programme will be running half day, full day and multi day Holiday Clubs across the Summer! Take part in our offer of up to 16 water and land based activities! Places are limited and need to be booked in advance. Click here to secure your place!

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When: Friday 1st August- Friday 29th August

Where: Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre

For: Ages 8-16

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Interclub Football Tournament

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Our Interclub Football Tournament will see Community Youth Club teams come together to compete head-to-head in Junior and Senior competitions, hoping to win the YB Football trophy for summer 2025!

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When: Thursday 14th August

For: Ages 8-16

How to enter: speak to your Club Leader or email for more details!

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Watersports Day

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Our Watersports Day will see teams from across our Community Youth Club network compete in kayaking and paddleboarding games and challenges, gathering points in the hopes of their Club coming first place!

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When: Thursday 28th August

For: Ages 8-16

How to enter: speak to your Club Leader or email for more details!

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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 5 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.

Members of our programmes, past and present, are invited to join a flotilla in memory of Eli Sweeting on Saturday 2^nd August at 10am to celebrate the life and share memories of Eli. 

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A flotilla in memory of our friend Eli

When: Saturday 2^nd August, 10am 

A small trip on Bristol Harbour to share memories of Eli. From Baltic Wharf to the Mshed where we will gather in a circle and throw, if you wish, some flowers into the water. MV Pyronaught will kindly do a water display. Please bring your own flowers that are either real flowers or biodegradable. 

Please get in touch with Young Bristol if you would like to join us, our boats will be available for use.

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A message from Young Bristol's Outdoor Activity Team 

Eli joined Young Bristol through our NCS programme. He had an incredible energy with other participants and staff radiated towards him - he was always eager to learn more. It was therefore a delight, when on return from a residential in the Lake District in 2016, that he decided he wanted to join the Instructor Training Scheme (now the Outdoor Employment Programme) and by spring 2017 he started volunteering on our NCS programme. In May 2017, Eli was part of the annual Canoe Test, kayaking 100 miles along the River Wye. As part of this opportunity, he was interviewed as part of a series for BBC Two, showcasing the 100 mile challenge and sharing with the presenter the importance of getting outdoors. 

Eli became an avid member of the programme and alongside his training with City of Bristol College, quickly completed qualifications in Paddlesports, Powerboating and High Ropes. He was employed by Young Bristol and became a reliable Instructor, always brimming with enthusiasm to bring the joy of outdoor activities to the young people he taught.

Eli followed his dreams and went to University where he gained his Outdoor Leadership Degree. Following this, he went on to become a member of the Harbour Master’s team, and we would regularly meet out on the water, pulling up alongside our kayaks for a catch-up and to find out what adventures he had been on! Eli had an enthusiasm and hunger to learn and develop himself through training and adventure. From time to time, he would stop by our Activities Centre at Pooles Wharf and we would hear his distinctive voice calling up the stairs. He would pop in for a catch-up or volunteer on a session, chatting equally to new trainees, participants and familiar faces, telling of his experiences he gained from Young Bristol. Eli was always grounded and humble about his knowledge, skills and ability, but it was a pleasure to see how he was developing into a strong and inspirational leader and a great outdoorsman.

Eli settled in New Zealand; being in the heart of adventure, inspiration and outdoor activities suited him well. Earlier this year, Eli climbed Mitre Peak in Milford Sound but did not return. After extensive efforts from Mountain Rescue, friends, family, acquaintances and many more, he was never found. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Eli’s family and friends at this time.

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Eli will always be a huge part of Young Bristol. He will live on in all those who had the good fortune to meet him, and be inspired by his incredible enthusiasm and dedication to experience new adventures.

‍On Sunday 27th July, we were pleased to join Rudy's Pizza Napoletana, who fundraised for Young Bristol during the grand opening event of their new Bristol restaurant!

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Now more than ever before, young people and families across Bristol need the support of charities like Young Bristol. Organising your own fundraising event not only highlights our important work across the city but raises vital funds for Young Bristol!

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National pizza chain, Rudy's Pizza Napoletana, recently opened their first Bristol location, inviting guests and supporters of Young Bristol to celebrate their first evening open to the public. All proceeds from the event donated to our charity!

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Congratulations to the team at Rudy's for hosting such a fantastic event, raising money for our young people and the services we provide across the city!

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If you're interested in supporting Young Bristol, or would like to set up a fundraising event of your own, click here to learn how you can help!

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kayleigh Grunebaum-Webster, Youth Club on Wheels Driver!

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Kayleigh is new addition to the team at Young Bristol, as driver for our Youth Club on Wheels. Most recently, Kayleigh has been self-employed as a Handywoman, after taking a break from supporting individuals and families in the community for over 10 years! Kayleigh has a passion for helping people to identify and develop skills to meet their needs, by providing them with practical support and advice. Outside of work Kayleigh enjoys attending live music events and gardening.

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Kayleigh joins the Young Bristol team to ensure our Youth Club on Wheels safely arrives to the locations we deliver in, our vehicle is well-maintained, and our equipment is cared for and set up for every session.

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We hope you will join us in welcoming Kayleigh to the Young Bristol team!

Young Bristol were thrilled to see our Chief Executive, Lee Williams DL, recognised as a finalist the South West Leadership Awards 2025!

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The South West Leadership Awards celebrates leaders across the South West who have demonstrated positive impact and shown extraordinary leadership, with the awards showcasing the achievements and success of businesses across the region.

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Lee was nominated for the 'Public and Third Sector Leader' award as he has provided the strategic direction and financial management required to drive Young Bristol to become a multi award-winning provider of youth services; building brighter futures for young people across Bristol.

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Reflecting on his nomination and the event, Lee said:

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"It was an honour to be shortlisted for the Public and Third Sector Leader at the South West Leadership Awards, alongside so many other inspiring leaders in the sector. I’m proud to represent Young Bristol as Chief Executive and am grateful for the continued support from all our staff, funders, partner organisations, and the wider community."