July 30, 2025

Celebrating the life of Eli Sweeting

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

A flotilla in memory of our friend Eli

 

When: Saturday 2nd 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.

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.

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.

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December 11, 2025

A warm welcome to our YCOW Senior Youth Leader!

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Isaac Duckers, Senior Youth Leader on our Youth Club on Wheels!

Isaac is a Philosophy graduate, with a history of travel and adventure. His experiences range from working with young people as an outdoor activity instructor in Finland and the UK, to international community volunteering with the Red Cross, alongside play and theatre based relief work with the Flying Seagull Project. Isaac will forever cherish the opportunities he has had to live and work abroad; however, has realised that investing into local communities is something he finds incredibly important. He is hugely excited to join Young Bristol as part of the Youth Club on Wheels team, going out to find young people where they are, and helping create a fun, safe, and inclusive space, wherever the team goes.

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

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December 8, 2025

Young Bristol's Christmas Card Winners 2025!

We are delighted to announce that Phia and Eva from The Grove @ Bedminster Down are the winners of the 2025 Christmas Card Competition!

Last month, we hosted a Christmas Card Competition across our Community Youth Clubs. Young people from across network were encouraged to draw a Christmas design that would be featured as this year’s annual Christmas Card!

We were delighted to receive a total of 50+ entries from across our Youth Clubs, showcasing lots creativity through some fantastic designs!

The winner from our junior age group is Phia, aged 8, from The Grove @ Bedminster Down. The winner from our senior age group was Eva, aged 16, from The Grove @ Bedminster Down! The pair have each been awarded a pack of cards that feature their design as well as a £15 Amazon gift voucher!

Thank you to Sarah from Burges Salmon, who selected the winning designs this year!

"We chose Phia's design due to its vibrant colour palette and this being heartwarming; this was conveyed through a festive winter scene. The creativity and attention to detail demonstrated by the young artist was fantastic."

"Eva's card stood out due to its sophisticated and creative design and the clever use of space and elements. The artist's skill in blending traditional festive themes with a modern twist was impressive."
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Programmes
December 4, 2025

Young Bristol's young people take part in Super Sliders Programme!

On Saturday 29th November, young people from our Outdoor Employment Programme and Community Youth Club network took part in the Super Sliders Bronze and Silver programmes!

What a great way for our Outdoor Employment Programme and young people from our Community Youth Clubs to start their weekend! Young people travelled to the University of Bath's Training Village, where they took part in the Super Sliders Bronze and Silver programmes. The team from Super Sliders had prepared a day full of activities for young people to get involved with and enjoy!

The programme started off with some "off-track" activities, where the group talked to members from Britain's Olympic Bobsleigh and Skeleton team! During this workshop, the group learnt about different bobsleigh equipment and were taught about a range of bobsleigh techniques!

The workshop continued onto some "on-track" activities, where the group put their learning into practice by using the bobsleigh and skeleton equipment on the track. Young people all had the opportunity to push themselves down the track and improve their techniques! The day ended with young people taking part in a relay race, with the top 3 winners received bronze, silver and gold medals.

It was great to see our group of trainees try out new sports and push themselves out of their comfort zone! A huge thank you to Super Sliders for inviting us along to their most recent programme! We look forward to taking part in the next one soon!

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December 1, 2025

Young Bristol President’s Appeal 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Support the work of Young Bristol

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.

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.

  • £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

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

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November 28, 2025

Our Impact Report 2024-25!

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

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.

"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.

Unite Students, Corporate Partner

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November 25, 2025

A warm welcome to BS14 Youth Club's Club Leader!

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

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.

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

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November 21, 2025

How you can support Young Bristol - Leave a gift in your will

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.

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.

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

  • £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.

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.

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

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November 17, 2025

Istoria Group select Young Bristol as 'Charity of the Year'!

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

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.

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.

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.

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November 14, 2025

Young Bristol recognised at South West Business Awards!

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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