Berkshire Youth is a local charity which has been committed to improving the lives and experiences of young people for 80 years. We work with more than 12,000 young people each year through a range of projects and activities, supporting them as they transition from childhood to young adulthood. Many of the young people we work with are vulnerable, disadvantaged and at risk, often unable to access help elsewhere.
It seems incredible to think it’s been a year since we last met at First Friday Club! We celebrated our charity’s 80th anniversary last year and what a year it was!
The young people we work with have found the past year exceptionally challenging and we have witnessed a huge increase in demand for our help. Many young people have experienced mental health issues, worries about their education and future prospects, and numerous issues throughout the lockdowns, including feelings of isolation, family issues and anxiety.
Our team has gone above and beyond during the pandemic. Working within the guidelines, our youth workers have adapted their activities to provide the best possible support for young people during this difficult time. Activities - such as youth clubs and training - have been moved online; detached youth work - when youth workers engage and build trusted relationships with young people where they ‘hang out’ and encourage them into local youth activities - has continued whenever possible; our youth workers have kept in regular contact with young people in the best way they can, whether by phone, on socially-distanced walks or chats on their doorstep.
In addition to this, we launched our Berkshire Youth Hubs support platform last May to link young people, families and youth workers with information and access to further specialist support services, as well as access to our youth workers and volunteering opportunities. Initially launched in West Berkshire, the hub has proved a huge success and has now been rolled out across the whole of Berkshire. We have already supported thousands of young people through the hub and are seeing demand continue. You can explore the Berkshire Youth Hubs at: wbyh.co.uk
“Berkshire Youth has supported local authorities, such as Thames Valley Police, helping to promote relevant guidelines and key messages across the community.”
Berkshire Youth has supported local authorities, such as Thames Valley Police, helping to promote relevant guidelines and key messages across the community. We have also helped local youth clubs by offering and best practice advice and recommendations, supporting them to reopen their facilities when safe to do so. All local youth clubs were offered free affiliation for the year. Our youth workers have continued to work with students whose schools have identified them as at risk from exploitation and crime and requiring extra support. This ongoing project is proving extremely successful, with many of the students reengaging with their education and approaching their education in a far more positive way.
We have been delighted to champion young people across local TV news and radio, particularly enjoying seeing the young people we work with having their own say on the important role our youth workers play in their lives.
Despite the widely-recognised negative impact the pandemic has had on young people, and the growing number who need our help, funding to youth services remains precariously low. The youth services budget has been cut severely over a number of years. As a small, local charity which is funded by donations and support from companies and individuals, we have been hit hard by the reduced fundraising opportunities available to us. Over the next few months, we hope to build fruitful and mutually beneficial relationships with local companies and individuals. If you are a brilliant business who would like to adopt us as your charity, please get in touch!
