News, stories & updates

Last week, we were delighted to invite the Bristol team from Robert Half to Sea Mills Boys and Girls Club, where their generous volunteers dedicated their day to help improve our facilities for the benefit of young people.

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Divided into two smaller teams, the first group arrived bright and early, tackling a number of different tasks around the club. The first task of the day was to refresh the club’s entryway with a new coat of light green paint.

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The team then shifted their attention into the main room of the club. This required the group to remove a large number of staples from the walls, as well as moving old furniture, in preparation for the next group to paint the room!

Cycling enthusiasts working at the Bristol-based company, Computershare, have raised thousands of pounds for Young Bristol.

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More than 40 of the company’s employees set off on two wheels from the global financial services firm’s Bedminster Down offices to raise money for the charity, which works to offer a choice of opportunities and experiences for young people aged eight to 25.

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The ‘On Yer Bike’ event, which involved challenging routes of 20, 30 or 75 miles around Chew Valley Lake, the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge via Congresbury, culminated in a celebratory BBQ that also provided the opportunity for cyclists to meet the charity’s representatives and learn more about its work.

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The day raised £5,300 for the organisation, which is one of Computershare’s designated local charities, which benefits from donations via the company’s corporate giving programme, Change A Life.

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"We would like to say a huge thank you to Computershare for choosing our charity as a beneficiary from their fundraising event. Computershare’s donation will enable us to continue to provide freely available, community-driven activities for young people during after school hours, which provide a really important opportunity for development and learning.”

Lucy Saunders, Young Bristol

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"We are really pleased that the first On Yer Bike event after the pandemic has helped to raise money for such an important local cause. Young Bristol continues to make a significant difference to the lives of young people across the city, and we’re extremely proud to support its fantastic work.”

‍Lucy Newcombe, Chief People and ESG officer at Computershare.

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Computershare has also raised a further £408.86 for the charity from sales of honey produced from its on-site beehives this year.

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Thank you Computershare for raising vital funds for young people in Bristol!

Young Bristol are incredibly proud to share that Ellie Kershaw, Marketing, Communication and Administration Apprentice has this week completed her Digital Marketing Apprenticeship with a distinction!

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Ellie first began her Level 3 Digital Marketing Apprenticeship with Professional Apprenticeships in September 2022, and since then has gone onto grow and develop, supporting the charity with its social media, website, marketing materials and data management.

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"It is a massive relief! There has been so much that I have achieved over the last year. I feel I have developed so much in confidence and skills – and working in a new environment, everyone has been really welcoming and supportive. I’ve had the chance to help with organising events, managing the charities social media and website, and have been involved in so many exciting projects,” said Ellie.

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“It has been really eye opening to be able to see what Young Bristol does in the community and how the work I do helps to make a difference.”

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Chief Executive of Young Bristol Lee Williams DL added,

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"We have been so impressed with Ellie over the past 14 months. Her level of maturity, can-do attitude, and willingness to learn, alongside the grade she has achieved through this Apprenticeship, really proves that Ellie will go far in her career at Young Bristol and beyond.”

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At Young Bristol, we continue to reinforce our core purpose, putting young people at the heart of everything that we do, by providing opportunities for personal and social development, skills for life, opportunities to grow, and pathways to employment.

This week Young Bristol celebrated our Outdoor Employment Programme reaching its tenth year of helping young people to build a positive future into employment.

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The Outdoor Employment Programme (formerly known as the Instructor Training Scheme), was first piloted in 2013 and since its launch has helped over 280 young people aged 16 – 25 into employment within the outdoor industry and further education. The entirely free scheme aims to remove the barriers that young people are facing today when accessing employment and training opportunities.

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The need for employability focused youth work has only increased over the years. A recent cost of living crisis as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine war has had an increased impact on families and young people across the UK. This pressure has been most damaging to young people in already disadvantaged situations, and we are seeing this through the number of young people aged 16 – 17 in Bristol who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

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Dan, a former trainee on the Outdoor Employment Programme in 2019 said:

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"The programme definitely came at the right time as it helped me to experience what it was like to hold down a job. It raised my self confidence!”

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The scheme has seen outstanding successes throughout its delivery, with at least 80% of the trainees starting further education, training or employment within a year of their first session. The programme has provided 230 hours of training each year and awarded 750 Instructor and NGB Qualifications to trainees in 10 years, in areas including High Ropes, Archery, Canoeing, and as Outdoor First Aiders.

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Not only have trainees gained skills and qualifications, but they have also been provided with volunteering opportunities on Young Bristol’s programmes, allowing them to give back and support other young people on their journey, in-turn breaking down social barriers.

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Joshua, a former trainee on the programme in 2013 said:

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"It's no exaggeration that the good I've done in this world has stemmed from the opportunity Young Bristol and the programme gave me. At a time when I felt I deserved nothing, they gave me everything!”

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To celebrate the programme’s 10-years of success, on Wednesday 15th November Young Bristol invited past and present trainees, funders, partners and supporters along to an evening of celebrations to highlight the stories of those impacted and the work that the initiative continues to do throughout the city.

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The event was kindly hosted by the SS Great Britain Trust who have directly supported over 70 trainees through the Go Aloft! Programme, which has supported around 15,000 people to climb the rigging of the SS Great Britain. Following 9 years of collaboration on the Go Aloft! programme over 98% of those employed through the partnership remain in employment or have moved into full time education – an incredible testament to the programme’s continual success.

This week, Young Bristol are proud to celebrate national Trustee Week (6th - 10th November). We are pleased to work with 12 trustees, who are responsible for the strategic direction and development of Young Bristol. 

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"I have been a trustee of YB for three years but have known of the organisation for many years. It is a privilege to be involved and to see the impact on the lives of young people. The YB AGM, with testimonials from young people who have taken part in clubs and activities run by YB, affects us Trustees deeply every year. Well done all the amazing YB team !” 

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-Charles Wyld, Trustee 

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"I have been a YB trustee for almost 4 years now, and love seeing and being involved in all the great work YB does for young people across Bristol - from the youth clubs and all their activities to the Outdoor Employment Programme to the outdoor pursuits at Poole’s Wharf.  YB has lots of energy and it’s great to work with people committed to the young people of Bristol." 

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-Carolyn Jenkins, Trustee 

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"I am a Trustee of Young Bristol because I think you are all doing an amazing job for the young people of Bristol, and I really wanted to be involved to support this work ‘on the ground’ across the city. I became a Trustee in February 2020 and then we went into lockdown, so I didn’t meet any of the other Trustees or Young Bristol team in person for a few years! I really enjoy hearing about all of the activities offered and the incredible benefits that youth work brings to young people, and hope that my skills can support your work." 

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-Louisa Pharoah, Treasurer 

As part of Young Bristol’s 2022-25 Strategic Priorities, the charity will be focusing on developing long-term partnerships. Developing our partnerships allows Young Bristol to strengthen services and influence, which allows young people to thrive across our youth provision.

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We were thrilled to welcome the team from Burges Salmon to BS14 Youth Club, where the team of 24 took part in a voluntary day! The team helped us with a number of different activities inside and outside the club.

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As we have been upgrading our equipment for young people, the clubs sports and cleaning cupboards have become increasingly disorganised. In addition to this, our football court and surrounding green spaces urgently needed some work as lots of unwanted dead plants were growing over the court.

On Wednesday 15th November, Young Bristol are celebrating 10 years of our Outdoor Employment Programme!

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Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme (formerly known as the Instructor Training Scheme) was founded in 2013, where we have welcomed 30-60 trainees onto the programme each year! The programme offers young people 12 instructor qualifications in a range of outdoor activities, with a training process that allows them to meet local employers such as SS Great Britain and Redpoint Climbing Centre.

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We have seen some outstanding successes from the programme, with at least 80% of the trainees starting further education, training or employment within a year of their first session. The Outdoor Employment Programme has become a huge asset to young people in Bristol, and we are proud to be celebrating 10 years of success with the programme!

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Our set guest list will join us from 6:30pm, where they will enjoy champagne and canapes on arrival. We plan to hear from former and current trainees who have been through the programme, who will discuss how the Outdoor Employment Programme has positively impacted them!

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Located at SS Great Britain Harbourside Kitchen, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, BS1 6TY. Paid parking is available at the venue.

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To find out more about our Outdoor Employment Programme, click here!

As part of Young Bristol’s 2022-25 Strategic Priorities, the charity will be focusing on developing long-term partnerships. 

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Developing our partnerships allows Young Bristol to strengthen services and influence, which allows young people to thrive across our youth provision.

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We were delighted to welcome the team from Unite Students to BS14 Youth Club, where they volunteered to help with maintenance of our well-being garden.

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Our well-being garden and car park were in desperate need of maintenance, with winter quickly approaching. The group weeded around the club, tidied our hedgerows and overgrown brushes and gave the garden a makeover. The team used seed and plants kindly donated by Vinci!

On Sunday 15th October, 7 runners signed up to run the Bath Half Marathon, raising money for Young Bristol!

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Runners set off from Royal Avenue, racing 2 laps hugging the River Avon and completing the Bath Half by returning to Royal Avenue. Our 7 runners, fundraising for Young Bristol set off from the starting line around 10:20am. Each of our runners pledged to raised us at least £250, and each one smashed this target!

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Justin stated: 

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"The day was perfect for running. The build up was easier knowing you're raising money for such a worthwhile cause!"

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Angad added: 

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"I have really enjoyed fundraising because of the work Young Bristol does. On the day, I really liked the vest. It was quite a challenge, but I enjoyed it all-in-all."

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Jack also shared:

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"It was great to have a vest which made it feel like more of a team event as opposed to individuals. I felt welcomed as part of the team!"