Young Bristol's 2025 Highlights: A Year to Remember!

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

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"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."

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said Kat Katuszka, Senior Youth Leader at BS14 Youth Club

We are recruiting for a Head of Fundraising and Communications to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to join Young Bristol – a multi-award winning charity with an outstanding record of supporting young people in the Bristol.

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As an organisation, our mission is to be an outstanding provider of high-quality, community-based youth services and innovative programmes that positively and sustainably impact the lives of young people.

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In our 2024 staff survey:

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• 95% of our staff team believe all cultures and backgrounds are valued
• 80% of would recommend Young Bristol as a great place to work
• 95% trust Young Bristol to treat employees fairly
• 85% say leaders communicate effectively about the organisation.

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By joining our dedicated team, you can help make positive impact on the lives of young people, please see below our current opportunities:

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About the Head of Fundraising and Communications role

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Our Head of Fundraising & Communications will play a vital role in helping young person discover what they’re capable of. You’ll lead on generating income for the charity and partnership work as well as helping us to ensure we can continue delivering high‑quality, community‑based youth services across Bristol.

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Working closely with our Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Trustees, you’ll shape and deliver our fundraising strategy, grow a diverse income portfolio and build long‑term relationships with funders, businesses and supporters. You’ll also guide our communications activity, helping us tell powerful stories that highlight the impact of our programmes.

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With the charity approaching our 100-year anniversary in 2028, you will work to secure trust and foundation funding, develop corporate partnerships, steward major donors and support a small team.

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Hours and shifts: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday

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How to apply:

1. Download the Head of Fundraising and Communications Job Pack and Young Bristol’s 2024-25 Impact Report‍
2. Send your completed application form via email to hr@youngbristol.com

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Alternatively, post an application to the address below:

Young Bristol

BS14 Youth Club

Stockwood Lane

Bristol

BS14 8SJ

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Closing date:

Wednesday 22nd April 2026, 5:00pm

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.

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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.

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“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.”

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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'.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Phil Harris, Outdoor Employment Programme Lead said:

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“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.

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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.”

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Chris Eades, Founder of the Bristol Maritime Academy, added:

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“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.

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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.”

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Rob Howlett, RYA Regional Manager added:

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“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.

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As interest grows, we’re now looking to expand the project to help even more employers find young people with recognised powerboat qualifications.”

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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!

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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!

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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.

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"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."

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said Oli Blacklidge ,Bath Half Marathon runner

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It has been amazing to see the five participants prepare for their exciting challenge, all while fundraising for our young people.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"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.”

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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!

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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.

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It has been amazing to see James and Olie prepare for this exciting challenge, all while fundraising for our young people.

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Thank you to both of our participants for taking part in the Green Man Ultra Marathon - we appreciate your incredible support!

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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 Friday 6th March, we were delighted to welcome the team from Burges Salmon to BS14 Youth Club, where five of their dedicated team members helped us to improve our facilities for young people.

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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.

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"We had a fantastic day volunteering with Young Bristol at BS14 Youth Club. It was incredibly 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.”

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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!

We are pleased to announce that booking for our Easter Half Term Outdoor Activities now live to book!

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Join Young Bristol and experience the thrill of the great outdoors! With a range of activities on offer, from paddling Bristol's own Harbourside to climbing through an underground adventure, there is something for everyone to enjoy! Book your Outdoor Activities sessions here!

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Half Day Kayaking

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Our Half Day Kayaking session is perfect for beginners and those with a little experience. Spend the session learning about basic paddling techniques and take part in fun, confidence-building games that encourage balance, agility and teamwork!

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When:

• Wednesday 8th April 2026, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
• Monday 13th April 2026, 9:00am - 12:00pm
• Thursday 16th April, 9:00am - 12:00pm

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Cost: £20 per person

Book your Half Day Kayaking here!

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Half Day Paddleboarding

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This Holiday Club on the harbourside will teach you the basic skills needed to enjoy paddleboarding! The session includes a range of games that will test your balance and skills. This activity is perfect for beginners!

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When:

• Friday 10th April 2026, 9:00am - 12:00pm
• Tuesday 14th April 2026, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
• Thursday 16th April 2026, 1:00pm - 4:00pm

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Cost: £20 per person

Book your Half Day Paddleboarding here!

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Full Day Archery & Climbing

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Our Full Day Archery and Climbing will have you channeling your inner Robin Hood as you learn archery skills that will have you hitting a bullseye in no time! Your adventure will continue as you learn footwork, handholds, body positioning and clipping techniques while tackling climbing routes on the steep faces of the Mendip Hills.

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When: Wednesday 15th April 2026, 9:00am - 4:00pm

Cost: £45 per person

Book your Full Day Archery & Climbing here!

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Full Day Wet 'n' Wild

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Our Full Day Wet 'n' Wild Adventure will have you channeling your inner Robin Hood as you learn archery skills that will have you hitting a bullseye in no time! You will continue your day on the harbourside, experiencing the aquatic thrills of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

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When:

• Thursday 9th April 2026, 9:00m - 4:00pm
• Friday 17th April 2026, 9:00am - 4:00pm

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Cost: £45 per person

Book your Full Day Wet 'n' Wild here!

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Full Day Wild Adventure

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Our Full Day Wild Adventure is the perfect  challenge for those looking to climb a series of waterfalls in the picturesque  Mendip Hills. You will continue your day channeling your inner Robin Hood  as you learn archery skills that will have you hitting a bullseye in no time,  as well embracing the art of bushcraft  and cooking over an open fire!

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When: Tuesday 7th April 2026, 9:00am - 4:00pm

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Cost: £45 per person

Book your Full Day Wild Adventure here!

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