Our Creative Wellbeing Project achieve their Arts Award Bronze!
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We are thrilled to share that 2 young people from our Creative Wellbeing programme have successfully completed their Arts Award Bronze certificates!
Two members of The Grove @ Bedminster Down, Alfie and Ellis aged 12, were awarded their Arts Award Bronze certificates for their participation in our 12-week Creative Wellbeing Programme, developing creative ways to improve mental health through reflective and expressive workshops.
This 12-week project has been kindly funded by Groundwork UK and Comic Relief, and saw 13 young people aged 8 - 19 take part in a series of activities and workshops, learning about local artists, taking part in community social-action, and delivering a skill-sharing badge making workshop to young people at Ashton Vale Club for Young People. Young people also had the opportunity to work towards their Arts Award Bronze and Explore certificates during the project.
We wish to congratulate all of the young people who have taken part in our creative programmes and look forward to giving others the opportunity to gain their Arts Award in 2022.
For more information please email the Creative Team on creative@youngbristol.com or call on 0117 929 2513.
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Young Bristol are incredibly proud to share that five of our young people have been shortlisted in the Bristol Young Heroes Awards 2026!
The Bristol Young Heroes Awards recognises and celebrates the valuable contribution that Bristol's young people make to the city. The awards shine light on those who have overcome difficult circumstances, made a difference to the lives of others, or have achieved something extraordinary this year!
Juan, Outdoor Employment Programme - Action Hero
Juan was nominated for the Action Hero Award as they have faced considerable adversity, prejudice in their community, and financial instability. Since joining the Outdoor Employment Programme, Juan has shown incredible determination to succeed against all odds, where they have already gained a number of qualifications in outdoor pursuits, encouraged and supported others to join and engage with the programme, and enrolled into college to take their GCSEs this year.
"Juan has grown into an incredibly dedicated, reliable and strong member of the Outdoor Employment Program. A real ‘yes’ person who approaches all challenges with a calm, positive approach. In my 25 years working with young people, I have not met a young person who is more resilient than them!"
said Phil Harris, Outdoor Employment Programme Lead
Lucas, Hartcliffe Club for Young People - Community Hero
Lucas was nominated for the Community Hero as he has grown into one of the most inspiring young leaders within the Hartcliffe community. When Lucas first began attending Hartcliffe Club, he was a quiet and reserved young person. Through consistent engagement, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others, he has transformed into a confident, articulate and deeply respected youth leader.
"Lucas is an exceptional role model, who leads with empathy, understanding, and integrity. He motivates others not through authority, but through kindness, encouragement and a belief that every young person deserves to be listened to. His impact is significant, and his potential is extraordinary! He uplifts others, strengthens his community, and shows what can be achieved when a young person is empowered to lead."
said the staff team at Hartcliffe Club for Young People
Poppy, Hartcliffe Club for Young People - Sporting Hero
Poppy was nominated for the Sporting Hero Award as she has shown extraordinary courage and maturity, and continues to work hard at school whilst pouring her energy into the sport she loves. Last year, Poppy faced an immense personal heartbreak, with the loss of close family members who were deeply important to her. Even in the face of adversity, Poppy continues to shine and channels her emotions into her dancing. Her positivity, resilience, and dedication inspires everyone around her.
"Poppy is a young woman whose dedication, resilience, and passion for dance make her an outstanding role model. Her commitment to dance is exceptional and she trains with determination, discipline, and a drive to continually improve. She has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympic dance competition. This honour reflects her talent, perseverance and unwavering spirit."
Rudi-Lee, Avon Youth Club - Learning Hero
Rudi-Lee was nominated for the Learning Hero Award as Club Leaders have seen increasing improvements in his overall behaviour and perspective; he has grown in confidence and now actively seeks out opportunities to get involved in activities. Rudi-Lee became a member of Avon Youth Club in 2024, where he struggled behaviourally at Club and at school. Rudi-Lee worked really hard to prove himself, and recently started back at his mainstream school, after attending a provision elsewhere and on the verge of permanent exclusion.
"Having previously finding aspects of school challenging, he is now beginning to approach his learning with renewed focus and resilience, alongside a clear desire to succeed. He is building strong and secure relationships with key trusted adults and is developing friendships with peers. Rudi certainly has a more positive attitude towards school."
said Alasdair Keys, Associate Assistant Principal at Oasis Brightstowe
Tico, Hartcliffe Club for Young People - Environmental Hero
Tico was nominated for the Environmental Hero as he is an outstanding young environmental leader whose passion, commitment, and hands‑on action are transforming the way young people in Bristol understand and care for the natural world. His work goes far beyond personal interest—Tico is actively shaping a greener future for his community by educating, inspiring, and mobilising others.
"Tico demonstrates every day that young people are not only the future of environmental action—they are the driving force of it right now. His work is already leaving a lasting legacy of increased biodiversity, stronger community engagement, and a generation of young people who feel inspired to care for the planet."
said the staff team at Hartcliffe Club for Young People
Young Bristol would also like to recognise Esme, Evie, James and Lola who were nominated and have achieved incredible things during 2025. Thank you Bristol Young Heroes for highlighting everything our young people have achieved in the past year. We wish all the shortlisted young people and teams the best of luck in July 2026!
Young Bristol are delighted to share that Web Matthews, Volunteer and Manager at Hartcliffe Club for Young Peopl, was awarded the Bristol Lord Mayor's Medal!
The Bristol Lord Mayor's Medals are awarded to highlight the local, unpaid community work and achievement that's helped to improve the lives of Bristol's citizens.
Web was nominated for the Bristol Lord Mayor's Medal for his leadership and commitment, that has transformed the opportunities that are available for young people, families and the wider community at Hartcliffe Club for Young People. He leads the team with integrity, compassion, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the young people we serve - all in a voluntary capacity. Under his management, the youth club has become a safe, vibrant, and inclusive space where young people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
He continually goes above and beyond for Hartcliffe Club for Young People, building long-term partnerships, securing resources and advocating for local families. His calm, steady presence has guided the team through difficult moments, and his vision has strengthened our provision in ways that will benefit the community for years to come.
Web's contribution is not only deserving of recognition — it is a testament to the power of dedicated leadership in shaping a stronger, more hopeful future for our young people and community.
said Kathryn Dawe, Trustee of the Youth Club Support Group
Thank you to Cllr Kirsty Tait, Jack Jones, and Kassim Hanid for nominating Web for this incredible recognition - your belief in Web’s impact has helped to highlight work that truly matters. Congratulations to Web on your receipt of this fantastic award, and thank you for your outstanding voluntary service!
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.
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.
“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.”
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Phil Harris, Outdoor Employment Programme Lead said:
“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.
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.”
“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.
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.”
“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.
As interest grows, we’re now looking to expand the project to help even more employers find young people with recognised powerboat qualifications.”
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!
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.
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.
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.
"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.”
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 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.
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.
"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.”
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!
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 sessionshere!
Half Day Kayaking
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
On Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th February, we were delighted to welcome the team from Burges Salmon to Ashton Vale Club for Young People, where 12 of their dedicated team members helped us to improve our facilities for young people.
Two groups spent their days repainting the club’s walls, ensuring the same emerald colour continues throughout the building. The team also helped us rearrange our upstairs classroom and helped with some general tidying, making sure the space feels bright, welcoming, and ready for young people to enjoy.
"We had a fantastic day volunteering with Young Bristol at Ashton Vale Club for Young People. It was incredibly rewarding to help transform the space with fresh paint, bringing a new colour and energy into the areas young people use every day. The team really appreciated the opportunity to support such a wonderful local cause and contribute to the community.”
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!
This February Half Term, Young Bristol offered a wide range of activities for all young people to take part in. From sporting to creative activities, we’ve had something for everyone!
This week, we hosted an Interclub Football Tournament at St Brendan's Rugby Football Club, welcoming over 70 young people from across our club network to take part. The day brought together young people from Ashton Vale Club for Young People, BS14 Youth Club, Hartcliffe Club for Young People and The Grove @Bedminster Down.
The Interclub tournament started with teams playing 4-5 minute matches in a round-robin format, with supporters cheering on their teams from the sidelines.
After some intense matches, it was announced that BS14 Youth Club and The Grove @ Bedminster Down would play against each other for the junior trophy and both teams from Ashton Vale Club for Young People for the senior trophy!
We are proud to announce that BS14 Youth Club won our junior trophy and Ashton Vale Club for Young People were awarded our senior trophy. Well done to all the young people who took part. It was fantastic to see them interacting and making new friends, as well as engaging other young people from across the city!
At Young Bristol, young people are at the heart of everything we do. By continuing to offer youth‑led programmes across the city, we’re able to open doors, build confidence, and create long‑lasting trust with the thousands of young people we support every day.
We would like to thank St Brendan's Rugby Football Club for facilitating our football tournament. To find out more about our Community Youth Clubs, click here!
