Celebrating Young Volunteer at Bristol Young Heroes Awards!
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Thank you to the Bristol Young Heroes Awards for an amazing evening of celebrations at the Bristol Harbour Hotel on Friday 15th July 2022.
Young Bristol would like to share a huge congratulations to all of the finalists and winners of the 2022 Bristol Young Heroes Awards. The Bristol Young Heroes Awards recognizes and celebrates the valuable contribution of young people aged 11 – 19 throughout Bristol. The awards also recognize groups and organisations which have shown exceptional team skills and dedication to benefit young people.
Ashton Vale Club for Young People’s Youth Worker, Julie Chapman, attended along with Young Volunteer, Chardonnay, who was a finalist for the ‘Action Hero’ Award! Chardonnay was nominated by the team at Ashton Vale for her amazing growth since joining the Youth Club in 2014 and volunteering three nights per week for over 2 years.
Chardonnay, who suffers from anxiety and has learning difficulties, has flourished over the years becoming a trusted and valued member of the team, helping to deliver activities, running the tuck shop at Club and even supporting her local over 55’s Silver Social Club. The elderly members of the Club cannot speak highly enough of her!
"Chardonnay also suffered from a bereavement earlier this year, and even through this difficult time she continued to support the staff and club every week,” says Lead Youth Worker Julie Chapman, “This dedication to her community really puts her above the rest!”
Congratulations to Chardonnay for being recognised as a finalist in the 2022 awards! It was incredible to hear about the inspirational young people in our city, who have overcome difficult circumstances, made a difference to the lives of others, or achieved something extraordinary.
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Young Bristol are delighted to share that Web Matthews, Volunteer and Manager at Hartcliffe Club for Young Peopl, was awarded the Bristol Lord Mayor's Medal!
The Bristol Lord Mayor's Medals are awarded to highlight the local, unpaid community work and achievement that's helped to improve the lives of Bristol's citizens.
Web was nominated for the Bristol Lord Mayor's Medal for his leadership and commitment, that has transformed the opportunities that are available for young people, families and the wider community at Hartcliffe Club for Young People. He leads the team with integrity, compassion, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the young people we serve - all in a voluntary capacity. Under his management, the youth club has become a safe, vibrant, and inclusive space where young people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
He continually goes above and beyond for Hartcliffe Club for Young People, building long-term partnerships, securing resources and advocating for local families. His calm, steady presence has guided the team through difficult moments, and his vision has strengthened our provision in ways that will benefit the community for years to come.
Web's contribution is not only deserving of recognition — it is a testament to the power of dedicated leadership in shaping a stronger, more hopeful future for our young people and community.
said Kathryn Dawe, Trustee of the Youth Club Support Group
Thank you to Cllr Kirsty Tait, Jack Jones, and Kassim Hanid for nominating Web for this incredible recognition - your belief in Web’s impact has helped to highlight work that truly matters. Congratulations to Web on your receipt of this fantastic award, and thank you for your outstanding voluntary service!
On Friday 27th March 2026, we were pleased to host our annual Night Hike. This activity was on offer for all young people across our Community Youth Club network to take part in!
17 young people participated in our Night Hike from four of our community venues, racing against each other to complete the course. It was great to see teams take part from our Youth Clubs across the city: Ashton Vale Club for Young People, Avon Youth Club, Sea Mills Boys and Girls Club and Youth Club on Wheels Hengrove!
All young people worked well together in their chosen teams to complete the Night Hike with incredible finish times - with some of these young people having minimal experience in hiking! Congratulations to all the young people who took part and completed this years Night Hike!
For some of our young people, it was their first time exploring the Mendip Hills, and the challenge gave them the opportunity to try new outdoor activities. It was amazing to see the group develop new skills, take part in experiences they have not tried before, and supporting one another throughout the hike.
If you are interested in joining one of Young Bristol's programmes, events or competitions, click here to find out more!
This month, Young Bristol were pleased to receive an egg-staordinary, generous donation from local construction recruitment company, Leggwork!
Leggwork have been a valued supporter of Young Bristol since 2021. They have provided financial donations, in-kind support and have regularly volunteered at our Community Youth Clubs. The team have also kindly supported us through numerous fundraising events.
Young Bristol were amazed to receive a generous donation of over 680 Easter eggs from Leggwork. These Easter eggs will be distributed to young people across our Community Youth Club network, including those attending our Holiday Clubs and Open Access sessions this month!
"Donating Easter eggs to Young Bristol has been a great tradition we've had at Leggwork since we started over 5 years ago. We want to play a small part in the amazing work that Young Bristol do for young people and the community. It means everything to be able to feel we've played apart in making young people's lives better around Easter time!"
Justin, Director at Leggwork
Thank you to Leggwork for your kind donation! If you would also like to help us support young people across Bristol, click here and find out more!
On Thursday 26th March, Young Bristol were delighted to host our first 'Dinner for Young Futures, sponsored by Origin Workspace'. We invited over 100 guests to The Pony Chew Valley, to enjoy a delicious dinner.
This special dining experience brought together over 100 guests from local businesses and supporters, who all helped us to raise £10,000 for our work with Bristol’s children and young people, and to celebrate 98 years of the charity delivering life changing opportunities across the city.
Our Dinner for Young Futures took place at The Pony Chew Valley, where the event saw an incredible evening featuring a 3-course dinner, inspirational speakers and stories that highlight the impact of our work across the city.
The event welcomed supporters and key individuals who have been impacted by, and seen first-hand, the long-term, positive effects of Young Bristol's programmes and services. It was great to hear from Dan Lee, Young Person of the Year 2025; Kat Katuszka, Senior Youth Leader at BS14 Youth Club; AJ Holstein, Young Bristol Supporter and Shannon Ringland, Young Bristol Trustee, who all spoke about their experience with Young Bristol.
"I attended one of Young Bristol’s youth clubs as a young person. I have many fond memories, and most of them involve the pure fun that I had with my friends. The memories that stand out the most is the support I received from the Youth Workers, their guidance and the safe space. So, when I became a Youth Worker it was only natural for me to draw on those positive experiences."
said Kat Katuszka, Senior Youth Leader at BS14 Youth Club.
On Friday 13th March, we were delighted to welcome the team from Leggwork to The Grove @ Bedminster Down, where five of their dedicated team members helped us to improve our facilities for young people.
The group spent their day taking care of the club’s outdoor spaces, helping at the club with weeding, gardening, and litter picking as well as planting new flowers into the clubs planters. Their hard work has made the area cleaner, more welcoming, and ready for young people to enjoy.
“Volunteering at The Grove was a brilliant experience for the Leggwork team. Supporting Young Bristol a great deal to us, the opportunities and support they provide for young people in our community are genuinely life changing. It was a privilege to play a small part in improving a space that will continue to benefit the local community for years to come.”
Thank you to everyone at Leggwork for helping us to create a safe, positive place where our young people can thrive! We appreciate your ongoing support!
Young Bristol were pleased to partner with the RYA and Bristol Maritime Academy to pilot a new marine career pathway for young people in Bristol, as part of the 'New Horizons Project'.
The career pathway is the newest initiative of the 'New Horizons Project', which has been running across the Bristol area for over five years, introducing hundreds of young people from the ages of 10-20 to sailing and water sports, many of whom may not otherwise have had access to the water.
This year, Young Bristol has supported the first cohort of 11 young adults from our Outdoor Employment Programme to complete its first year, undertaking a structured pathway designed to equip them with industry‑recognised RYA qualifications. Trainees achieved First Aid, Sea Survival, Marine Radio (SRC) and the RYA PPR (Professional Practices and Responsibilities) course alongside their Powerboat Level 2 certificates.
These qualifications provide the full commercial endorsement, enabling our Trainees to operate powerboats professionally and making them valuable assets to employers across harbours, docks, waterway operations and a wide range of commercial marine environments.
Work placements and employment pathways are being developed with the Bristol Harbour Master, local docks teams and Bristol Maritime, ensuring real opportunities for young people ready to take their next steps into marine work.
Phil Harris, Outdoor Employment Programme Lead said:
“The trainees Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme have benefited immensely from this project. Thirteen young people facing barriers to employment have been given incredible opportunities through this training. Many have already secured job interviews and begun conversations with employers.
The commitment and hard work shown by the trainees has been truly inspiring. Partnerships like this draw on the strengths of all organisations involved and create outcomes far greater than the sum of their parts. We are proud to be contributing to such an impactful project in Bristol.”
“At Bristol Maritime, many of us started without family connections to the water, just a Powerboat Level 2 qualification and a passion for being outdoors on the waterways. Through The New Horizons Project, we’re proud to help people from Bristol and outside the sector get qualified and discover opportunities both globally and, on their doorstep, — from running workboats to supporting environmental projects and teaching others on the water.
By linking this first cohort with organisations such as the Bristol Harbour Authority and our own water safety company, BM Safety, we’re helping them take their first real steps into careers on the water.”
“From windsurfing and dinghy sailing to keelboats and yachts, there are so many ways for young people in Bristol to get out on the water. These opportunities build confidence and give them practical skills that can naturally lead into local marine careers. Through the New Horizons Project, we’ve been able to bring community groups, clubs, trainers and employers together, showing that boating is truly accessible and can open doors for young people who might never have considered the sector.
As interest grows, we’re now looking to expand the project to help even more employers find young people with recognised powerboat qualifications.”
Young Bristol remains committed to ensuring that all young people can access meaningful opportunities, develop new skills and build brighter futures. If you would like to find out more about our Outdoor Employment Programme, and how you can get involved with projects similar to the 'New Horizons Project', click here!
On Sunday 15th March, we were pleased to see Oli from Unite Students and four employees from Istoria Group sign up to the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for Young Bristol!
The Bath Half Marathon is a 13 mile race, with the course following a two-lap route through the heart of Bath. The race is known for its scenic views and great spectator support, being one of the UK's most popular races.
"This was my first half marathon, so it was brilliant to see how many people came out to support all the runners. Their support (and hi-fives), running with my lovely mum and knowing what an amazing cause I was supporting is what made me achieve a time that was well under my goal."
said Oli Blacklidge ,Bath Half Marathon runner
It has been amazing to see the five participants prepare for their exciting challenge, all while fundraising for our young people.
Thank you to all our participants for taking part in the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for young people across Bristol - we appreciate your incredible support!
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!
On Monday, we were delighted to welcome the team from Burges Salmon to Hartcliffe Club for Young People, where seven of their dedicated team members helped us to improve our facilities for young people.
The group spent their day taking care of the club’s outdoor spaces, helping at the club with weeding, gardening, and litter picking to help keep the space well maintained. Their hard work has made the area cleaner, more welcoming, and ready for young people to enjoy.
Some of the volunteers also helped us to paint the walls in the main hall space, making sure the walls had a blank canvas for young people to work on new graffiti.
"We had a fantastic day volunteering with Young Bristol at Hartcliffe Club for Young People. It was really rewarding to make a difference to the outdoor space, and it was great to see the impact we made at the end of the day. The team really appreciated the opportunity to support such a wonderful local cause and contribute to the community.”
Thank you to everyone at Burges Salmon for helping us to create a safe, positive place where our young people can thrive! We appreciate your ongoing support!
On Saturday 7th March, we were pleased to see James and Olie sign up to the Green Man Ultra Marathon to raise money for Young Bristol!
The Green Man Ultra is a 30 or 45-mile ultramarathon that loops around the city of Bristol, following the Community Forest Path. The event is ran twice a year, with the winter event often featuring muddy conditions.
It has been amazing to see James and Olie prepare for this exciting challenge, all while fundraising for our young people.
Thank you to both of our participants for taking part in the Green Man Ultra Marathon - we appreciate your incredible support!
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!
