Congratulations to our Head of Youth Work!

This month, Young Bristol's Programmes Team and Youth Workers were invited to a number of staff training opportunities - providing them with the valuable tools and insight, as well as the opportunity to discuss and improve on how we better support the young people we work with.

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Training highlights included:

- Dr. Roz Stewart-Hall delivered Evaluation Framework training, on 'Creative and Inclusive Evaluation' through the Bristol Play and Youth Alliance. Staff learned how to gather meaningful feedback, ask better questions, and create safe spaces for reflection - ensuring young people's voices remain at the heart of everything we do.

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- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) awareness training was delivered by Senior Youth Leader, Kat from BS14 Youth Club. Training explored how SEND can present in young people, shared experiences from our clubs, and discussed practical ways to adapt our approach to better support individual needs. The session reinforced our commitment to creating welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environments.

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- Trauma-Informed Practice training was provided through the National Youth Agency's training platform, gaining valuable insight into how trauma can impact the lives of young people. The course explored practical ways to recognise and respond to trauma with empathy,creating more supportive spaces across our youth clubs and services. The training also encouraged staff to reflect on their own well-being, recognising that supporting others starts with looking after ourselves too.

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At Young Bristol our people are central to everything we do, and it is important to us to provide everyone with the best and most relevant training to them to ensure they feel confident and comfortable in their youth work delivery. To find out more about what we do click here.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Lawrence, Head of Fundraising and Communications.

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Paul joined Young Bristol in July 2026 as Head of Fundraising and Communications. Prior to joining Young Bristol, the majority of his 30 year career has been spent in the voluntary youth sector, having come through similar organisations to Young Bristol in London and Essex. Paul was also CEO for Oxfordshire Association for Young People for six years. Recently, he was Head of Fundraising for a global charity and CEO of a large youth centre in London. Paul has over 20 years of experience with charity fundraising, with a particular focus on events and has taken part in many fundraising events that include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running the London Marathon.

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Paul’s passion for this work comes from seeing young people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. He strongly believes that youth clubs and activity-based programmes are powerful ways to achieve this, shaped by his own experience of youth networks and activities as a young person, which set him on his chosen career path.

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We hope you will join us in welcoming Paul to the Young Bristol team! To find out more about our team click here.

We are pleased to share that the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has chosen Young Bristol as its official charity partner, marking the start of a three-year partnership from 2026 to 2028.

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United by a shared commitment to opportunity, belonging and community connection, the three-year collaboration will build towards a pair of milestone anniversaries. In 2028, the Fiesta will celebrate its 50th year, while Young Bristol reaches 100 years of supporting young people across the city.

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Across the partnership, Young Bristol will work alongside the Fiesta to open doors for young people to explore opportunities. From engineering and logistics to creative production and live events, the collaboration will shine a light on the pathways that sit behind one of Bristol’s most distinctive global industries.‍

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Together, we aim to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the moment the balloons take flight.

Join Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme for a free Introductory Session on Thursday 10th September 2026.

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Aged 16 - 25? Interested in gaining new qualifications, learning new skills and improving your future work opportunities?

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Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme is running an Introductory Session for young people to come along and find out more about the programme and outdoor industry. The free programme supports young people aged 16 - 25 with barriers to employment, by developing skills and gaining qualifications in a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, canoeing, powerboating, rock climbing, archery, bushcraft, first aid and high ropes.

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Based from our Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre, young people aged 16 - 25 will have the opportunity to take part in paddling sessions on Bristol's iconic harbourside, find out more about the programme and sign up for 2026. Parents, carers and support workers are also welcome to attend alongside their young person.

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Paddle sessions will take place from 2:00pm - 4:30pm and 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Young people are welcome to attend one or both sessions. You can find our Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre on Hotwells Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4RU.

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To sign up to our Introductory Session please click here to complete a consent form and email ph@youngbristol.com to confirm your attendance.

Young Bristol are delighted that our Outdoor Employment Programme has been shortlisted as a finalist for the 'Tackling Youth Inactivity Award' at the Children and Young People Now Awards 2026!

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The Children and Young People Now Awards showcase innovation and outstanding practice across the children’s services sector. The Awards champion the vital work of services supporting children, young people and families across the UK.

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Our Outdoor Employment Programme (OEP) was nominated for the Tackling Youth Inactivity Award - recognising the programmes pivotal work across Bristol for the last 13 years. The OEP supports young people aged 16-25 who are not in employment, education or training (NEET), and those who face significant barriers to employment.

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The OEP acts as a vital lifeline and key steppingstone for young people who have experienced times of homelessness, young carers who have responsibility of looking after parents, those with refugee or asylum seeker status or have learning difficulties, and struggle with the structure of a traditional school or education environment.

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Since the launch of the programme in 2013, it has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people from across Bristol:  

• Over 360 young people age 16 – 25 years old supported since 2013.

• Over 250 hours of training provided each year.  

• Nearly 1000 Instructor and NGB Qualifications awarded to trainees since 2013

• 50 young people supported by Redpoint Bristol’s volunteering scheme, with 7 trainees undergoing the mentoring programme this year alone.  

• Over 100 trainees employed through the Go Aloft! Programme with SS Great Britain. Over 98% of those employed through the partnership remain in employment or have moved into full time education.

• 7 NEET trainees volunteered at the Glastonbury Festival (2 of those have returned for 2 years and volunteers are managed by 2 more OEP alumni)

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Thank you to the Children and Young People Now Awards for recognising the fantastic work of our Outdoor Employment Programme. We look forward to celebrating alongside services from across the UK later this year.

We are pleased to share we have recently welcomed to our team Destiny Barwe, a university student undertaking a placement year with us.

Destiny is a psychology student, studying at the University of Plymouth, working with us Young Bristol between her second and third year of study. She was born and raised in Bristol and is pleased to take this opportunity to give back to the city she loves. Throughout her education so far, she has established a particular interest in child developmental psychology. She is conscious of the value of creating and nurturing spaces and relationships for young people, in terms of their social and cognitive development.

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Destiny is eager to get to know the young people, looking forward to both having fun with and providing support for them. During her time with Young Bristol, she hopes to gain a deeper professional understanding of youth work, both in terms of delivery and the work that enables youth charities to be able to provide these programmes. She aims to use the skills gained through her degree and apply her psychological knowledge to real-world situations, in a way that will make a tangible difference.

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Find out more about our opportunities to volunteer and get involved with Young Bristol here.

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Join Young Bristol's FREE Summer Holiday Clubs! We are open to all young people aged 8-19 across our Community Youth Clubs. From sports activities to creative workshops, we have something for everyone to enjoy! A free hot, healthy meal will be provided to all young people.

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Our Summer Holiday Activities across our Community Youth Clubs are kindly funded by the Holiday Activity Fund, supported by Bristol City Council, The Department of Education and Your Holiday Hub.

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We are pleased to share a confirmed list of dates for our sessions throughout the Summer. All other delivery will continue as normal in addition to these sessions:

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Ashton Vale Club for Young People

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• Monday 27th July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
• Tuesday 28th July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 3rd August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
• Tuesday 4th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 10th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
• Tuesday 11th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 17th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
• Tuesday 18th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 24th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
• Tuesday 25th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)

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Please note: we will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 31st August, all other sessions will continue as normal.

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Address: Ashton Vale Club for Young People, Silbury Road, BS3 2QE

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BS14 Stockwood Youth Club

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• Monday 27th July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 11-19)
• Tuesday 28th July, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Looked After Children session, referral only)
• Thursday 30th July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 3rd August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 12-19)
• Tuesday 4th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Looked After Children session, referral only)
• Thursday 6th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 10th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 11-19)
• Tuesday 11th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Looked After Children session, referral only)
• Thursday 13th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 17th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 11-19)
• Tuesday 18th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Looked After Children session, referral only)
• Thursday 20th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)
• Monday 24th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 11-19)
• Tuesday 25th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Looked After Children session, referral only)
• Thursday 27th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Ages 8-11)

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Please note: we will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 31st August, all other sessions will continue as normal.

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Address: BS14 Youth Club, Stockwood Lane, BS14 8SJ

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The Grove @ Bedminster Down

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• Monday 27th July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 3 and 4)
• Tuesday 28th July, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 5 and 6)
• Wednesday 29th July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 7+)
• Monday 3rd August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 3 and 4)
• Tuesday 4th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 5 and 6)
• Wednesday 5th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 7+)
• Monday 10th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 3 and 4)
• Tuesday 11th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 5 and 6)
• Wednesday 12th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 7+)
• Monday 17th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 3 and 4)
• Tuesday 18th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 5 and 6)
• Wednesday 19th August, 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 7+)
• Monday 24th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 3 and 4)
• Tuesday 25th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 5 and 6)
• Wednesday 26th August, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Year groups 7+)

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Please note: we will be closed for the bank holiday on Monday 31st August, all other sessions will continue as normal.

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Address: The Grove @ Bedminster Down, 27a Cheddar Grove, BS13 7EN

We are pleased to share that the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has chosen Young Bristol as their official charity partner, marking the beginning of a three‑year partnership that will build towards a pair of landmark anniversaries in 2028.

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The partnership will begin in 2026 and will run for three years, until 2028, culminating in the Fiesta’s 50th anniversary, which coincides with Young Bristol’s 100th year of supporting young people across the city.

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To celebrate the start of this incredible partnership, a hot air balloon visited BS14 Youth Club, offering young people from across our Community Youth Club network and Outdoor Employment Programme, families, local ward councillors and staff a rare, behind‑the‑scenes introduction to the world of ballooning. Young people and their families helped tether the balloon, pack it away, and spoke directly with pilots and crew about ballooning as both a sport and a potential career pathway.

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“We’re incredibly grateful to have been chosen as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta charity partner for the next three years, which will see us celebrate both Young Bristol’s 100^th and the Fiesta’s 50^th anniversaries.

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Young Bristol is dedicated to enabling young people to build brighter futures, and is rooted in some of Bristol’s most deprived communities. The partnership will allow us to open doors for young people to discover new career opportunities, grow their confidence and develop essential life skills through structured visits in our community venues and on-site engagement at the Fiesta.

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We’re excited to see what’s to come across the three‑year partnership, and look forward to broadening horizons, raising aspirations and creating a lasting impact during Bristol’s famous heritage event.”

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said His Majesty's Vice Lord Lieutenant Lee Williams DL, Chief Executive at Young Bristol

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In 2026, our partnership with Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will focus on opening doors for young people to gain experiences within the ballooning industry, helping them understand how the sport works and the many roles involved beyond the moment of flight. From engineering and logistics to creative production and live events, the collaboration will shine a light on the pathways that sit behind one of Bristol’s most distinctive global industries.

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During the Fiesta on Friday 7th August - Sunday 9th August, Young Bristol plan to create a brand‑new 'Young Bristol Hub', where we hope to feature our Youth Club on Wheels, a climbing wall, live performances, creative workshops and sport taster sessions, offering hands‑on activities for young people and families throughou tthe three‑day event.

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We would like to share a huge thanks to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta for their incredible support. Find out other ways that you can support Young Bristol here!

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Photographs taken by Linda Meaton Photography

Young Bristol have been pleased to work in partnership with Ecosafe Group and SNG, as part of two recent social value projects, making a difference to our places and our people!

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As part of Young Bristol's 2025-28 Strategic Priorities, the charity continues to focus on investing in our infrastructure and resources, giving young people and their local communities an environment they can thrive in!

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Last month, Ecosafe Group visited BS14 Youth Club, where they completed essential fire safety at our youth club, improving the protection of our busy community venue, used by children and young people, staff members and other service users. This work will help us to continue providing safe spaces to young people, staffed with trusted adults, encouraging young people to build confidence, engage in healthy relationships and develop new skills.

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"SNG have been a great supporter of Young Bristol for a number of years. Ecosafe Group and the SNG team have come in to replace the smoke seals in all the fire doors. To get a group to come and do this for us free of charge, allows us to invest more money into our end product - servicing young people in the city!"

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said Andy Kimber, Head of Operations and HR

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Young Bristol also to continue to focus on investing in our people as part of our 2025-28 strategic priorities, building sustainable roles and careers within a structure that supports long-term growth and ambitions.

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The social value support from Ecosafe Group and SNG has also seen Ellie Kershaw, Marketing, Communications and Programme Administrator, undergo mentoring support with Carly Gray, Marketing Manager at Ecosafe Group, providing Ellie with practical guidance, confidence-building and professional development in her role.

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"Carly's mentoring has really been helping me with my confidence, as this is something I have always struggled with in the past. Working with her on aspects of marketing I haven't been able to delve into before has helped me to make more informed decisions, and feel as though I am creating content that resonates with our audiences and makes greater impact!"

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said Ellie, Marketing, Communications and Programmes Administrator

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We would like to share a huge thank you to both Ecosafe Group and SNG for their incredible social value work at our buildings and with our team, helping us to continue to achieve our 2025-28 strategy. Watch more about the work here. To find out more about supporting Young Bristol, click here and visit our 'Support Us' page.

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