Youth Work Week: Where Futures Begin

East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with partners, is celebrating the life-changing impact of youth work this National Youth Work Week.

From 2 to 8 November, Youth Work Week celebrates the people and places where young people grow, belong and thrive – with this year’s theme being Where Futures Begin.

East Riding Council delivers grant funding to local community and voluntary organisations to deliver youth work in local communities. Over the last year 49 youth projects received grant funding and 12 of these projects are SEND specific groups.

Goole Youth Action (GYA) is one of the community groups who have used grant funding to create provision for young people.  GYA deliver a diverse offer from boxing, twilight football sessions and a range of summer holiday activities and trips to emotional wellbeing support, drop-ins, youth outreach sessions and volunteering opportunities for young people. GYA also have a Youth Voice group so that young people can shape the future provision of GYA.

Phil Jackson, Goole Youth Action said: “I’m really proud of GYA and everyone involved. We are developing the offer all the time, based on what young people tell us they would like. We’re planning future projects for 2027 including a life skills course to help young people transition into being adults, and an environmental group led by the young people.

“Being a youth worker is hugely rewarding, when you see what a difference you can make to young people’s lives.”

Bridlington CYP is another organisation helping to make a real difference to young people’s lives through its growing Youth Hub provision. Over the past 18 months, CYP Youth Hub has developed into a welcoming and inclusive space, with over 350 young people registered to access its activities and support. At the heart of its work is building positive, trusted relationships between youth workers and young people, providing a place where young people feel listened to, valued and supported. Through regular youth clubs, after-school sessions, holiday activities and targeted programmes, Bridlington CYP provides opportunities for young people to make friends, develop confidence, learn new skills and, importantly, have somewhere safe and positive to spend their time.

Lee Wilkinson, CYP Youth Hub Lead, said: “One of the things we’re most proud of at CYP is the relationships our youth workers build with young people. For some, the Youth Hub is simply somewhere to meet friends, have fun and try new things. For others, it’s a place where they feel safe, listened to and supported, particularly when things might not be going so well elsewhere in their lives.

“This year’s Youth Work Week theme, ‘Where Futures Begin’, really captures what we’re trying to achieve. It’s not always about big interventions or dramatic changes. Sometimes it’s the small conversations, positive experiences and consistent relationships that make the biggest difference to a young person’s future.”

Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for children, families and education said: “Youth work provides support, guidance, and opportunities for young people. Youth work can help improve mental wellbeing, school attendance, reduce youth crime, and enable young people to feel connected, valued, and involved in their communities.

“I’d like to say thank you to all of East Riding’s youth workers who make such a difference in shaping the future lives of young people.”

Youth work is also delivered across East Riding communities via the Our Place Youth Bus – creating safe and welcoming spaces where young people can access trusted adult support, information, guidance and positive activities. Sessions help build confidence, resilience and life skills, while raising awareness of issues such as community safety, exploitation, anti-social behaviour, emotional wellbeing and healthy relationships.

Working alongside local youth organisations and community groups, the Our Place Youth Bus engages young people who may not otherwise access support, ensuring opportunities are accessible, relevant and responsive to local needs across the East Riding. Through strong partnerships, Active Communities, combine youth work with sport and physical activity, including opportunities to achieve accredited awards.

Youth Bus weekly locations:

• Tuesday: Kingsway Park, Goole
• Wednesday: Haltemprice Leisure Centre, Hessle
• Thursday: Bridlington Skate Park
• Friday: Behind the Post Office, Market Weighton

All sessions run from 5pm to 7pm and are open to young people looking to take part in positive activities, receive support, and connect with trusted youth workers in their local community.

East Riding’s Young Mayor, Noureen Absinsanooj, said: “Youth work and youth voice are so important because young people deserve to be heard, supported, and given the chance to make a difference. Youth work has a real impact on my life and the lives of my friends. It gives us a safe space to be ourselves, meet new people, build friendships, grow in confidence, and talk about the things that matter to us. It helps us discover our strengths, believe in our ideas, and realise that our voices have the power to create change. Whether we are speaking up about mental health, making our communities safer, protecting the environment, or creating more opportunities for young people, every voice matters.

“Being Young Mayor has shown me how powerful it can be when young people come together, share their experiences, and work towards a common goal. I want my friends and every young person across East Riding to feel that their opinions matter, that they have someone to turn to, and that they can be part of something bigger. Because when young people are listened to, supported, and given the chance to lead, we don’t just imagine a brighter future; we start building it together.”

Organisations interested in delivering youth work activities can apply for grant funding through the East Riding Council Grants and Funding programme. Applications for the next round of Our Place funding open on 9 November, providing opportunities for local organisations to support and expand positive activities for young people within their communities. Further information is available at: www.eastriding.gov.uk/council/grants-and-funding/

Author: tracey