The Grove host NatWest Thrive awards with Marcus Rashford

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

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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!

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

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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!

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

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"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."

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"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."

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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Support the work of Young Bristol

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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.

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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.

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• £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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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 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. 

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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.

We are delighted to announce Rosanna from the Avon Youth Club is the winner of our 2025 Film Competition!

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Last month, we were pleased to host a Film Competition across our Community Youth Club and Youth Club on Wheels network. Young people from each club were encouraged to create a short film using a mobile phone, tablet or camera, to entered into our competition.

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We received a number of entries from across our club network, our judges chose one winner from the range of amazing creative skills that were showcased in the competition!

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The winners of our competition is Rosanna, a young person from Avon Youth Club session! In her film, she discussed why she would like to be a xx and xx when she grows up. Rosanna was awarded with a £15 Amazon gift card for winning the competition. Well done to Kyah, Hartcliffe Club for Young People and Tico, Hartcliffe Club for Young People, who were announced as runners up of the competition.

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Congratulations Rosanna! During November, we are running a Christmas Card competition! Ask your local Club Leader for more information on how to enter.

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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Christmas Card Competition

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Create a Christmas card on our premade template and submit to a Club Leader. Winners will receive VIP Box Tickets for 4 people to Bristol’s Christmas Pantomime.

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When: Monday 3rd November - Friday 14th November

Where: Various Youth Clubs

For: Ages 8-19

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‍Super Sliders Trip

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Super Sliders are offering their Bronze and Silver Award, where you will take part in a one-day camp in which you will get the chance to try out skeleton and bobsleigh.

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When: Saturday 29th November

Where: Bath University 'Push Track'

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 4 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.

During the October half term, we were pleased to see Bristol Old Vic Theatre School perform an exclusive 'Wonderland' performance for Young Bristol members at Merchants Academy.

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We were thrilled to see a number of families, young people and affiliates come through the doors of Merchants Academy, to enjoy Bristol Old Vic Theatre Schools performance of 'Wonderland', created and performed by their second-year BA Acting students, who debuted their school tour for Young Bristol members!

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The story saw Alice tumble down a rabbit hole during a computer lesson, where she discovers a magical Wonderland filled with curious characters who seem strangely familiar. Through encounters with a White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, and the fearsome Queen of Hearts, she embarks on a musical adventure that teaches her how to navigate her emotions and embrace her true self.

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"It was great to see the students stay in character so well throughout the whole performance. They engaged with the kids so well and used humour for all throughout. What an amazing performance, thank you!"

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We would like to thank Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for hosting this amazing performance for young people!

During the October half term, Young Bristol were pleased to host a 'Well-being and Social Action Festival' at Admiral House in Fishponds, Bristol, inviting local organisations to share about how the local young people and families can take care of their mental health.

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On Thursday 30th October, Young Bristol welcomed young people aged 10–20 and their families from the local community and across the city to engage with a number of exciting activities, encouraging and supporting their mental health and wellbeing.

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The event saw a number of local organisations and stallholders attend, who offered tailored support to our attendees — including yoga, boxing, music-making, and mental health service providers. It was also great to see young people from Youth Moves set up and deliver their own social action stall, where they made food and stress balls for everyone to enjoy!

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We would like to share a huge thanks to SNG and the #iwill Fund for funding this event and helping us to make it possible. Thank you to The Cause, Off The Record Bristol, Retreat Me Wellness, Youth Moves, NHS Talking Therapies and all the other local organisations that made this event such a success! Thank you to Lush Bristol, who kindly donated us a number of bath bombs that were included in our wellbeing goody bags.

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To find out more about accessing our programmes and services, click here!