Young Bristol Volunteer receives Lord Mayors Medal!

Young Bristol are delighted to have been shortlisted for the 'Charity' category at the Bristol Life Awards 2026!

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The Bristol Life Awards celebrates organisations in Bristol under 22 nomination categories. These are the most prestigious, most tightly contested Awards with the greatest number of local companies involved.

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Young Bristol have been shortlisted for the 'Charity' category in 2026, which highlights local, independent registered charities to showcase their cause and the great contribution that they make locally.

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We were nominated and shortlisted for the 'Charity' category as we stand as a beacon of empowerment, opportunity and community for young people. Our work has not only impacted young people, but the communities our services are based in. Many of our services remain situated in areas of high deprivation, where young people are cut off from the things that they need and care about most.

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"The youth club means everything to me, it literally saved me!"

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Young Bristol transformed young people lives during 2025:

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• 23,743 attendances with 8-25 year olds
• 8 Youth Clubs provided safe spaces for 1,340 young people within some of Bristol's most underserved communities
• Over 1,172 meals and food workshops provided through School Holiday Clubs, helping to address food poverty
• 50 participants aged 16-25 from our Outdoor Employment Programme achieved a number of National Governing Body qualifications Over 80% of participants went into employment or full time education within the first year

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Thank you to the Bristol Life Awards for recognising the incredible work of Young Bristol, and the dedication and hard-work of the team behind the organisation. Our team look forward to attending the awards ceremony on Thursday 26th March. A huge congratulations to all the other amazing charities that were shortlisted in the category.

On Wednesday 28th January, Young Bristol were excited to welcome our supporters, staff team, young people, and their families to our 2025 Awards and Celebration Evening.

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The annual celebration saw stories shared from our staff, volunteers, and the young people we work with, highlighted our growth and impact, and guests enjoyed fantastic entertainment performed by young people from our Youth Clubs.

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Our Awards and Celebration Evening took place at the Burges Salmon offices, one of Young Bristol's valued supporters; the event saw a jam‑packed evening full of inspiring speakers, performances and a presentation of awards.

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To kick off the event, it was great to hear from Young Bristol's President, Jonathan Webb, and Chair, Jamie Cameron, who outlined our charity's impact over the last year and our key achievements and focuses for 2025 - 2028.

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The event welcomed supporters and key individuals who have been impacted by, and seen first-hand, the long-term positive effects of Young Bristols services. Trustee Shannon Ringland spoke about her experience of Young Bristol as a teenager, and how our Outdoor Employment Programme transformed her life, and supported her to gain the skills that she still uses today.

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I took part in the Outdoor Employment Programme around 10 years ago, at a point in my life where I was new to the City, finding my feet and not entirely sure where I was heading. The programme gave me confidence, direction and a sense that there were people willing to invest their time and belief in me. Becoming a Trustee felt like a full-circle moment. I wanted to give back to an organisation that gave so much to me, to help ensure the same opportunities I benefited from are available to young people across Bristol.

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Alongside Shannon, were thrilled to welcome a number of young people from across a number of our Youth Clubs and programmes to the stage during the event. Eight young people from Avon Youth Club performed a dance, two young people read a poem about their experience at their local Youth Club. Attendees also heard from trainees from our Outdoor Employment Programme, who showcased their recent involvement in a sustainability project. All of these young people proudly shared their experiences, talents and stories with the 100 people that attended!

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One of the key highlights of the evening was the presentation of Awards throughout the evening, which recognised the fantastic achievements of our staff and the young people we support.

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We welcomed our 2025 Competition Winners, young people who engaged in our Inter Club programmes and opportunities. Young people were recognised for their involvement in sports tournaments and creative competitions. We were excited to announce Hartcliffe Club for Young People, this years winner of our Young Bristol Shield, which is awarded to the Youth Club who received the most points for entering and winning our events and competitions throughout the year. Congratulations!

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Our Long Service Award presentation brought together Young Bristol staff, Trustees and supporters, who were recognised for their incredible contribution to the charity over the years. The awards were presented by Lord Mayor, Councillor Henry Michallat to Corinne Ludwell, celebrating 15 years, Jack Jones, celebrating 15 years, as well as Sue Williams, celebrating a staggering 25 years as our longest serving staff member!

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To round-up the awards, we were thrilled to invite the twelve finalists of this years 'Young Person of the Year' award to the stage. This award recognises the amazing achievements of young people across the city, that attend our sessions and programmes.

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His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ presented each of the finalists with a certificate and a voucher. We were pleased to announce Kyah, age 12 from Hartcliffe Club for Young People and Lola, age 15 from Sea Mills Boys' and Girls Club, as our highly commended finalists for the awards. Both received headphones and a voucher for their achievement. We were then delighted to reveal Dan, age 20, from the Outdoor Employment Programme as this years winner! He was presented with a trophy, vouhcer and iPad!

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Dan was selected as this years winner for his positivity, determination, and resilience that make him an outstanding role model, and a complete joy for the Outdoor Activities team to work alongside. He is a huge asset at Pooles Wharf and the Outdoor Employment Programme, regularly volunteering at our Gig Club, Holiday Clubs and Kayak Club. His determination has seen him complete SuperSliders Bronze, Silver and Gold, run High Ropes training for trainees, and secure employment with Woodhouse Park.

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We would like to thank our supporters, donors and funders for their continued support of our work with children and young people in and around Bristol. To find out how you can support us, click here!

Young Bristol are incredibly proud to announce that Dan, member of Outdoor Employment Programme, was awarded our 2025 ‘Young Person of the Year’!

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On Wednesday 28th January, Young Bristol welcomed our supporters, Patron, President, Board of Trustees, staff team, and young people and their families to our Awards and Celebration Evening. The event celebrated a year of growth, impact and stories from individuals across the organisation.

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As part of the event, twelve finalists were invited for this years ‘Young Person of the Year’ award, which recognises the amazing achievements of young people across the city, that attend our sessions and programmes. The award was judged anonymously by a panel, with the winner receiving an incredible prize package.

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On the evening, young people were presented with a certificate from His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. It was revealed on the evening that Dan, age 20, from the Outdoor Employment Programme was this years winner! He was presented with a trophy, a voucher and an iPad. Congratulations Dan!

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Well done to all finalists who were selected for this years award. You should be incredibly proud of your commitment, growth and impact that you are having in your programmes and communities!

Young Bristol are proud to announce the 12 finalists for our 'Young Person of the Year' Award 2025!

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The 'Young Person of the Year' award recognises the amazing achievements of young people across the city, that attend our sessions and programmes. Only twelve finalists were chosen for this years Award. Congratulations to all the young people who were selected as finalists this year!

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At our Awards and Celebration Evening, the winner of the ‘Young Person of the Year’ Award 2025 will be announced and receive an incredible prize package.

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Our 2025 finalists:

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Corey

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Corey, 12, has attended Hartcliffe Club for Young People since 2023. Corey is an enthusiastic, committed young person, who shows fantastic engagement through sports! His resilience, positive attitude and determination shines through, and continues to grow the more he attends the club. Corey's confidence and maturity allows him to build trusting relationships with both staff and young people at the club, and sets a strong example to those around him.

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Dan

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Dan, 20, has been a member of Outdoor Employment Programme since 2023, joining after being a part of our Kayak Club in 2022. Starting as a quiet, reserved individual, the Outdoor Activities team now see Dan brimming with confidence, and has become a true outdoorsman. He is a huge asset to the team at Pooles Wharf, regularly volunteering at our Gig Club, Holiday Clubs and Kayak Club. His determination has seen him complete SuperSliders Bronze, Silver and Gold, run High Ropes training for trainees, and secure employment with Woodhouse Park.

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Evie

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Evie, 14, has been a member of Ashton Vale Club for Young People since 2024. She is a dedicated young person, that goes above and beyond for both her local youth club and community. During the summer, Evie volunteered as a Young Leader on a Tuesday junior session, entirely from her own initiative. Evie showed fantastic enthusiasm, reliability and commitment to helping others. Evie continues to build strong relationships with staff and young people, takes part in senior activities, and even coaches trampolining at a local club.

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Iris

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Iris, 10, has been a member of The Grove @ Bedminster Down since 2023. She is a kind, caring young person who is incredibly passionate about art. Focusing on her creative spirit has helped her build confidence during a performance project she led on. This project saw Iris take responsibility, grow her leadership skills, support other young people, and perform in front of over 100 people at our annual Celebration, AGM and Awards Evening. Her kindness and enthusiasm make her an inspiration to everyone at The Grove @ Bedminster Down.

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Kyah

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Kyah, 11, has been a member of Hartcliffe Club for Young People since 2023. Her strength, determination and positive attitude inspires everyone at Hartcliffe Club for Young People. Despite facing ongoing health conditions and daily challenges, she consistently attends sessions, actively engages in all opportunities available at her local youth club and approaches every activity with positivity. Kyah continues to grow and thrive, and her ability to overcome her obstacles show her true strength of character.

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Leo

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Leo, 12, has been a member of BS14 Youth Club since 2022. When Leo first joined, he was a very quiet individual, who didn't engage with many people outside of his brother. Over the last year, the BS14 Youth Club team have seen Leo flourish and grow in confidence, where he now brings his guitar to sessions. Using the clubs Media Suite, Leo now has the confidence to teach others basic guitar skills and techniques, share his skills and expertise, as well as learn new songs to further his development.

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Lola

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Lola, 14, has been a member of Sea Mills Boys and Girls Club since 2024. In the last 12 months, Lola has grown exceptionally in confidence, and has become an outgoing young person who leads by example, welcomes new members and gets involved with all the opportunities on offer to her. Lola is a true inspiration to everyone at Sea Mills, making an incredible, lasting impact to everyone around her.

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Maddison

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Maddison, 14, has been a member of Sea Mills Boys and Girls Club since 2019. She represents the club in all opportunities presented to her, including Interclub Football tournaments, where she promotes women’s football. Maddison enjoys engaging in new projects, trying new sports, and supporting others with her positivity. Maddison's long‑standing involvement at the club has made her a trusted figure to everyone who attends.

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Maisie

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Maisie, 14, has been a member of Sea Mills Boys and Girls Club since 2019. Now volunteering as a Young Leader, Maisie's confidence, positivity and resilience shines through in everything she does. She consistently supports others, leads on discussion-based activities and champions LGBTQ+ awareness, where she will actively inspire others that feel marginalised to truly be themselves.

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Missie

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Missie, 17, has been a member of The Grove @ Bedminster Down since 2018, and a Young Leader since she was 15, contributing countless hours and fresh ideas to improve young people’s experience. Missie has grown in confidence, shown incredible resilience, and is a responsible role model. Always excited for new opportunities, she has appeared on BBC Radio Bristol, supported her local community garden, and helped plan and deliver a Christmas Fair, which led her to win a Bristol Young Heroes Award. Her positive attitude, dedication, and weekly commitment make her an inspiration to others.

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Remy

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Remy, 10, has been a member of Hartcliffe Club for Young People since 2024. When he first joined, Remy was quiet and shy. However, over the past 12 months, the team at Hartcliffe Club for Young People have seen Remy flourish and step outside his comfort zone, where he has embraced his creativity and regularly joins a number of crafts activities on offer at the club. His enthusiasm and willingness to try new things inspires others and makes him an incredible role model.

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Robyn

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Robyn, 15, has been a member of BS14 Youth Club since 2024. She began volunteering as a Young Leader as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award and chose to continue after completing the programme. During her time as a Young Leader, the BS14 team have seen Robyn grow in confidence, lead a number of the clubs activities, build trusting relationships with younger members, and become an inspiring role model that others look up to, all whilst balancing her studies.

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We look forward to welcoming young people to our Awards and Celebration Evening on Wednesday 28th January, where we will announce the winner of the 'Young Person of the Year' award!

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!

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 incredibly proud to announce that Reece Pennington-Field, Young Leader and young person at BS14 Youth Club, was awarded the 'Young Person of the Year' award at the NABGC Awards Evening 2025!

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The 'Young Person of the Year' Award is presented to a young person, aged 11-25, who has displayed a strong committment to their local club, its values, and the programmes they deliver. The award also looks for young people who have volunteered or shown leadership at their club.

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We would like to congratulate Reece from BS14 Youth Club's 'Looked After Children session', who was awarded the 'Young Person of the Year' Award at the NABGC Awards Ceremony 2025!

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Reece is an active member of BS14 Youth Club's 'Looked After Children' sessions, and has acted as a Young Volunteer at the clubs junior sessions since April 2024. Reece was nominated for the 'Young Person of the Year' Award after taking on a natural leadership role, where he has helped staff to run tuck shop and supported his peers. He also lends a listening ear and comforting words to new young people who join the sessions, allowing them a comforting space to talk about their situation, and uses his own experiences as example.

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On busy evenings, the club will always see Reece go above and beyond to help staff at the club, where he will always offer to help set up tuck, hand out or cook food for other members and wash up. Since spending time working with our Juniors, Reece has changed his pathway and is now studying Health and Social Care, working towards completing his Level 1 & 2 Youth Work qualifications. His long-term goal is to become a Youth Worker at his Youth Club!

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Reece's foster carer said:

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"Reece is nothing short of a real-life superhero, and we are beyond proud to have had the privilege of watching him grow into such a compassionate and thoughtful young man. Witnessing Reece walk this remarkable path has been an honour. We couldn’t be prouder of him and all he has accomplished."

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Young Bristol would also like to recognise Owen and Romaine who were nominated for the 'Outstanding Leader of the Year' Award as well as Mason who was nominated for the 'Young Person of the Year' Award this year.

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.

Young Bristol were thrilled to see our Chief Executive, Lee Williams DL, recognised as a finalist the South West Leadership Awards 2025!

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The South West Leadership Awards celebrates leaders across the South West who have demonstrated positive impact and shown extraordinary leadership, with the awards showcasing the achievements and success of businesses across the region.

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Lee was nominated for the 'Public and Third Sector Leader' award as he has provided the strategic direction and financial management required to drive Young Bristol to become a multi award-winning provider of youth services; building brighter futures for young people across Bristol.

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Reflecting on his nomination and the event, Lee said:

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"It was an honour to be shortlisted for the Public and Third Sector Leader at the South West Leadership Awards, alongside so many other inspiring leaders in the sector. I’m proud to represent Young Bristol as Chief Executive and am grateful for the continued support from all our staff, funders, partner organisations, and the wider community."