News, stories & updates

This month, we were pleased to take nine young people from Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme to RSPB's Cameron's Cottage in the New Forest!

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Cameron’s Cottage was created as a legacy to Cameron Bespolka who died in 2013, aged sixteen. Cameron had a deep passion for nature, which began as a young child and developed further as he got older. The groups residential week was designed for the group to engage with the natural world in a number of exciting and unique ways, including outdoor cooking, survival skills, shelter building and learning conservation skills.

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"I learnt so much and gained a lot of new skills. This week have been amazing and a great experience that I'll remember forever!"

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Tuesday

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Once the group settled and unpacked in the cottage, their first activity of the week was setting up camera traps. The RSPB team taught our Outdoor Employment Trainees why they use camera traps, and how to set them up. Trainees then explored the reserve, searching for signs of animal activity such as footprints, droppings or disturbed wildlife. This allowed them to figure the best places to set up their camera traps, which they reviewed later in the week.

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Their first evening was finished with a barbecue, with the whole group sitting round the fire, making new friendships and playing card games!

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Wednesday

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The trainees first day in the cottage began with a conservation workshop, where young people explored the idea that dogs ahve an imapct on New Forest's environment. They did this by looking at the potential positve and negative imapcts that they have, and then mind-mapped ways that this could potentially be resolved.

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After lunch, the group ventured out onto an extended walk, where they explored the reserved, learnt about the types of plants and fungi that grew in the local environment and enjoyed a session of pond dipping at the lake.

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During the evening, participants got together to discuss a workshop that they are currently working on, which is planned to be delivered across our Community Youth Club network over the next couple of months!

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Thursday

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The groups second full day at the cottage was all about survival and bushcraft skills. Young people started the day by learning the basics of bushcraft, where they learnt how to light fires, use kelly kettles to boil water, and carve wooden pegs that would later be used in shelter building.

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The group then spent their afternoon building their own shelters, where they used all the skills that they had learnt during the mornings session to build a shelter that would hopefully protect them from the rain!

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The day wrapped up with an evening adventure outside the cottage, where the group searched for bats and enjoyed star-gazing around the reserve.

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Friday

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During the final day, trainees took on a final task of clearing rhododendrons, an invasive species that causes a reduction in the forests natural biodiversity. Our group spent the morning learning how to safely use loppers and gardening knives as well as collecting wood that could later be used for fires and carving activities by future visitors. This voluntary session was a way for our group to give back and say thanks to RSPB and Cameron's Cottage for for hosting and funding an amazing residential.

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We would like to thank RSPB and the Cameron Bespolka Trust for hosting an incredible week away for our Outdoor Employment Programme. Well done to all the trainees that took part, it was amazing to see their passion and curiosity for conservation be highlighted throughout the week.

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To find out more about how you can get involved with our Outdoor Employment Programme, click here.

Last week, we were delighted to welcome the team from Computershare to The Grove @ Bedminster Down, where 7 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 Computershare joined us outside in the sunshine to get stuck in with some outdoors tasks! The volunteers spent the day in the clubs garden helping us with outdoor maintenance, which included cutting the grass, weeding, cutting back brambles and sweeping around the club.

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

On Saturday 13th September, Young Bristol were pleased to attend Tockington Manor Schools 'Russell Run', raising money for the young people we support across Bristol!

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Tockington Manor Schools 'Russell Run' is a 5km fun run, jog or walk that was open to all members of the family around the schools 28 acres of land. The event was named after a beloved former teacher.

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The Russell Run celebrated the start of the school year, inviting the schools students, families, staff, alumni and dogs to come together in fancy dress and take part in the event. It was great to see a day full of excitement, laughter and fun.

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Tockington Manor School have kindly chosen Young Bristol as their 'Charity of the Year' for the 2025-26 school year. As part of this partnership, they also plan to host a Christmas Fair, Christmas Jumper Day, Carol Service, a school triathlon day, a Disney Day and a number of non-uniform days.

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Thank you to everyone at Tockington Manor School that has helped to make the first fundraising event of the year a success. We look forward to working with you throughout the school year!

On Sunday 14th September, we were pleased to see Walter Thompson sign up to the Bristol Half Ironman Triathlon to raise money for Young Bristol!

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The Ironman 70.3 is a 70.3 mile triathlon that consists of participants swimming 1.2 miles swim, cycling 56 miles and running a half marathon to finish.

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"The triathlon went well despite the awful weather! I'm very happy with the achievement and quite relieved it's over - especially the run was very tough indeed."

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It has been amazing to see Walter prepare for the triathlon by running a number of half marathons whilst wearing a Young Bristol running vest, to raise extra awareness for our work! Thank you Walter for taking part in the Bristol Half Ironman Triathlon in aid of Young Bristol this month! Support his fundraising page here.

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If you are interested in taking part in a third party fundraising event for Young Bristol, click here and learn how you can help fundraise for us!

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Long, Club Leader at The Grove @ Bedminster Down!

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Simon has worked with young people across South Bristol for the past 5 years, where he gave up his career in construction to help inspire young people! During his time supporting young people, he founded Hartcliffe BMX, with the aim of helping to keep young people fit and active, and has also worked with our Hartcliffe Club for Young People, where he progressed from a sessional youth worker to the club’s Leader.

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Simon now joins us as Club Leader at The Grove @ Bedminster Down, where he is excited to engage with young people in a new community!

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

Young Bristol are delighted to be shortlisted for the 'Community Impact' and 'Business Leader of the Year' categories at the South West Business of the Year Awards 2025!

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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 has been shortlisted for 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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We are also thrilled to share that Young Bristol's Chief Executive, Lee Williams DL, has been nominated by the judges of the Awards for the 'Business Leader of the Year', which showcases the most impressive business leaders from nominated businesses. 

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Thank you to the South West Business of the Year Awards for recognising the fantastic work of Young Bristol, and the passionate, hard-working and dedicated people behind the organisation. Our team look forward to attending the Awards Ceremony later this year.

Last week, we were delighted to welcome the team from Places For People to Avon Youth Club, where 8 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 Places For People joined us outside in the sunshine to get stuck in with some outdoors tasks! The volunteers spent the day in the clubs garden trimming back hedges and clearing weeds. The team also helped us to make the space more tidy by litter picking around the area.

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Thank you to everyone at Places For People 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.

This summer, Young Bristol saw 6 weeks of Holiday Clubs delivered across 6 of our community venues and outdoor activity centre, working with new and existing young people, providing them with exciting and enriching new opportunities, access to healthy food and the opportunity to build new friendships.

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Young Bristol’s Holiday Clubs are located in numerous areas across Bristol. During the school holidays our Community Youth Clubs and Outdoor Activities Team ran engaging sessions during both the day time and evenings. These session provided young people with free activities, prepared meals and a safe space to have fun! Our programmes had a focus on supporting those who receive free school meals.

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"A massive thank you to the club, my children had an amazing time! You truly give back with generosity and heart."

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This summer Young Bristol saw:

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• 2,732 contacts with young people
• 504 inidviduals supported
• 11 communities supported across Bristol with our Community Youth Club and Youth Club on Wheels.

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A breakdown of where these contacts have come from:

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• 1,414 contacts with Young Bristol's Open Access sessions and Holiday Club's
• 682 contacts from our outdoor activitie centre
• 496 contacts from external providers hiring our space
• 50 contacts with young people on our Youth Club on Wheels
• 90 contacts through Interclub events

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Young Bristol would like to thank our staff team, partner organisations and funders for helping to make this summer one to remember. We would also like to thank the Your Holiday Hub Bristol Programme, supported by Bristol City Council and The Department for Education, for supporting 5 of our Holiday Clubs at our city-wide Community Youth Club venues.

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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Film Competition

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Create a short film, no longer than 5 minutes long, following the theme of ‘when I grow up’. Maximum of 4 young people per entry. Prizes include a private screening of your film in October at The Sheds, a tour of The Sheds media facilities, £15 Amazon gift voucher and your film to be shared on Young Bristol's social media.

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When: Monday 1st September-Saturday 27th September

For: Ages 8-19

How to enter: email your video to jbt@youngbristol.com via WeTransfer or Drop Box

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Outdoor Employment Programme Introduction Evening

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Our Outdoor Employment Programme are recruiting for new trainees! This session will be a classroom based information evening to explain more about the Outdoor Employment Programme and working in the outdoors industry. There will be an opportunity to sign up to the programme during the evening.

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When: Thursday 4th September

Where: Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre

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 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.