Run the Bath Half Marathon for Young Bristol!

Fancy taking on a new challenge in 2027? Young Bristol is looking for 10 runners to join our team at the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 14th March, raising vital funds to support young people across Bristol.

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Whether you're chasing a personal best, taking on your first half marathon or looking for a challenge to share with friends, family or colleagues, we'd love you to join us!

The Bath Half Marathon is one of the South West's best-loved running events, taking runners through the beautiful streets of Bath, with thousands of spectators cheering them on along the way.

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And this year, you could be running for something even bigger than the finish line.

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A challenge worth taking on

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In March 2026, five fantastic supporters took on the Bath Half Marathon to raise money for Young Bristol, including Oli Blacklidge from Unite Students, who completed his first half marathon alongside his mum.

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Reflecting on his experience, Oli shared:

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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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Now, we're looking for 10 more people to lace up their trainers and make a difference in 2027!

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Every mile makes a difference

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For nearly 100 years, Young Bristol has been supporting young people across the city, providing safe spaces, trusted relationships and opportunities to build confidence, develop skills and try new experiences.

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By fundraising for Young Bristol, you'll be helping us continue this important work through our Youth Clubs, outdoor activities and wider programmes.

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To put that into perspective:

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• Just £360 can fund an evening of youth work for 35 young people, supported by our trained Youth Leaders.
• ‍£500 can provide a young person on our Outdoor Employment Programme with a Paddlesport Instructor qualification.
• And through a collective effort we could reach £4,300, which will keep one of our Community Youth Clubs open for a whole month, offering 3 nights of provision a week!

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Every donation, however big or small, helps us create more opportunities for young people across Bristol.

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Join Team Young Bristol!

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We have just 10 charity places available for the Bath Half Marathon 2027.

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Here's what you need to know:

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• ‍Event: Bath Half Marathon 2027‍
• Date: Sunday 14th March 2027‍
• Distance: 13.1 miles‍
• Charity places available: 10‍
• Entry fee: Free place if fundraising for Young Bristol‍
• Minimum fundraising pledge: £300‍
• What you'll receive: A Young Bristol branded running vest to wear with pride

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Whether you're signing up on your own or encouraging a friend or colleague to join you, you'll be part of a team helping make a positive difference to young people across Bristol.

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Ready to take on the challenge?

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If you've been thinking about entering a half marathon, this could be the perfect opportunity!

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With just 10 places available, we'd encourage anyone interested to get in touch and secure their place.

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Sign up today by emailing: fundraising@youngbristol.com

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We can't wait to cheer on Team Young Bristol at the Bath Half Marathon 2027!

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This week, Young Bristol has been joining organisations across the country to celebrate Youth Work Week 2026. This year's theme, 'Where Futures Begin', celebrates the people, places and opportunities that help shape young people's lives and futures.

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For nearly 100 years, Young Bristol has been supporting young people across the city, creating safe spaces, building trusted relationships and providing opportunities for young people to discover what they're capable of.

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Youth work can mean different things to different young people. For some, it's somewhere to meet friends, have fun and try something new. For others, it's a trusted adult to talk to, a chance to develop their confidence or an opportunity that helps them take their next steps.

And sometimes, it's all of these things.

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This Youth Work Week, we're celebrating the difference youth work makes across Bristol, and the people who help make it possible.

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Safe places where young people belong

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Every young person deserves somewhere they feel welcome, included and able to be themselves.

Across Young Bristol's Community Youth Clubs, young people aged 8 - 19 can enjoy activities, make friends, learn new skills and access support from youth workers who genuinely care about their wellbeing.

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From cooking and creative activities to sport, games, trips and simply spending time together, our Youth Clubs offer much more than somewhere to go after school. They're places where friendships grow, confidence develops and young people know there's someone there to listen.

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Our Youth Clubs continue to play an important role in communities across Bristol, particularly where young people may face barriers to accessing positive activities and opportunities. During 2025 - 26, Young Bristol delivered 2,228 sessions across its Youth Clubs and wider programmes, creating thousands of opportunities for young people to connect, try new experiences, develop skills and feel part of their communities.

The people who make youth work possible

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Behind every Youth Club, activity and programme are people who believe in the potential of young people. And our youth workers do so much more than organise activities - they listen, encourage, support and build relationships that can make a lasting difference.

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They might be helping someone try something for the first time, offering reassurance during a difficult moment or celebrating a young person's achievement, however big or small. It's often these everyday interactions that mean the most.

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As Jackie, a Youth Worker from Hartcliffe Club for Young People, explains:

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"Youth work helps build resilience and supports young people to become more confident, capable adults with a social conscience. It's about helping young people to feel valued and believe in themselves."

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This Youth Work Week, we're recognising our dedicated youth workers, staff and volunteers who continue to show up for Bristol's young people, creating environments where they feel safe, supported and encouraged to thrive.

Creating opportunities and building brighter futures

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Youth work isn't just about what happens today. It's also about helping young people discover what might be possible tomorrow.

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Through our Outdoor Employment Programme, young people aged 16 - 25 who face barriers to employment can gain practical experience, develop confidence and work towards nationally recognised qualifications in outdoor activities.

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Based at our Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre, the programme provides opportunities to develop skills, explore career pathways and build connections that can support young people into employment, education or further training.

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Our work also extends beyond our Youth Clubs, with outdoor adventures, holiday activities and community programmes helping young people experience new things and develop skills they can carry into the future.

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And sometimes, the impact of youth work comes full circle.

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Shannon Ringland first joined Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme around 10 years ago, when she was new to Bristol and unsure of her next steps.

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The programme helped her build confidence, find direction and feel that others believed in her potential.

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Today, Shannon is a Young Bristol Trustee, giving her time and experience back to the organisation that once supported her. Her journey is a reminder that the opportunities young people experience today can shape the paths they choose tomorrow.

Giving young people a voice

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At Young Bristol, we believe young people should have a say in the opportunities, activities and services that affect them.

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Through Young Leader roles, Youth Voice, youth forums and volunteering, young people can share their ideas, take on responsibilities and help shape the communities around them.

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Whether that's helping to run activities at their local Youth Club, supporting younger members or speaking up about issues that matter to them, these experiences can help build confidence, independence and leadership skills.

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Our Young Leaders are particularly important role models, showing other young people what they can achieve when given encouragement, responsibility and the opportunity to make a difference.

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By listening to young people and giving them meaningful opportunities to contribute, we can help ensure their voices are heard, valued and reflected in our work.

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Celebrating youth work across Bristol

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Youth Work Week is an opportunity to recognise the difference youth work makes to young people, families and communities, and the importance of continuing to invest in it.

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At Young Bristol, we see that difference every day; in the friendships formed, the confidence gained, the new skills learned and the trusted relationships that help young people feel supported.

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As we look ahead to our centenary year in 2028, our commitment remains the same: to ensure young people across Bristol have access to safe, inclusive spaces, trusted support and opportunities to realise their potential.

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Because every young person deserves the chance to discover what they're capable of.

And youth work is where so many of those futures begin.

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Discover what Young Bristol has to offer

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Whether you're a young person looking for somewhere to go, a parent exploring opportunities for your child, or someone who wants to support youth work in Bristol, there are lots of ways to get involved.

Explore our Community Youth Clubs and programmes to discover the opportunities available to young people across the city.

We are incredibly proud to announce that Izzy, Young Leader and young person at Hartcliffe Club for Young People, was awarded the 'Young Person of the Year' award at the NABGC Awards Evening 2026!

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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 commitment 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 Izzy from Hartcliffe Club for Young People, who was awarded the 'Young Person of the Year' Award at the National Association of Boys and Girls Clubs (NABGC) Awards Ceremony 2026!

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Izzy, aged 18 has been an invaluable member of Hartcliffe Club for Young People, demonstrating exceptional commitment, maturity, and reliability throughout her involvement with the Club since 2025.

A key strength of Izzy’s contribution is her mentoring role with young people who experience challenges with confidence, social interaction, and participation. She approaches this responsibility with patience, empathy, and a calm, supportive manner. Her ability to build rapport and encourage others has made her an excellent role model within the Club!

Izzy has also taken an active and meaningful role in fundraising efforts, supporting with initiatives that have enabled essential building improvements and expanded the range of activities available to young people. Her involvement reflects a strong sense of responsibility and a genuine commitment to improving opportunities for others.

We are pleased to share we have welcomed to our team Zulaikha Afsar, a Social Work student completing her placement with Young Bristol.

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Zulaikha is a Social Work student at the University of the West of England and is currently completing her placement with Young Bristol from September 2026 to February 2027. She is passionate about working alongside young people and supporting their wellbeing.

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Zulaikha was drawn to Young Bristol's commitment to empowering young people, building confidence, and creating safe, inclusive spaces across the city. She is particularly looking forward to meeting young people from different backgrounds, hearing their stories, and learning from the staff and volunteers who make such a positive difference.

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Through her placement, Zulaikha hopes to develop her skills in communication and relationship-building while supporting Young Bristol's ongoing work. She is keen to bring enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a social work perspective to the team and be part of helping young people feel heard, valued, and supported.

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Find out more about our opportunities to volunteer and get involved with Young Bristol here.

‘Food Skills for Life’ project launched at our BS14 Youth Club in partnership with Square Food Foundation, bringing vital skills and learning to young people in Stockwood.

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Young Bristol were thrilled to launch our new partnership project with Square Food Foundation this autumn, inviting members of BS14 Youth Club to engage with an exciting new programme - giving them valuable life-long cooking skills, as well as confidence and independence in the kitchen.

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The 6-week programme is open to young people ages 12+ and will explore basic cooking skills, as well as learning about how to budget and plan healthy, balanced meals. The programme aims to support young people to make informed food choices both now and in the future.

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During the first session, 6 young people aged 12 – 19 got involved from the Youth Club’s Seniors and Looked After Children group – making spaghetti bolognese with garlic butter rolls. It was brilliant to see everyone taking part; learning new techniques and trying new things. At the end of the session, young people had the opportunity to sit down together to enjoy what they had created. We cannot wait to hear what they cook next!

On Saturday 15th August, we were delighted to see team members from Sanderson Government & Defence and AWW take on the South West Tough Mudder in aid of Young Bristol!

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The Tough Mudder South West is a challenging obstacle course that takes place at Badminton Estate, where participants navigate a variety of obstacles, including icy water, thick mud, rope climbs, fire, and electricity shocks.

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It has been amazing to see 9 team members from Sanderson Government & Defence and 5 team members from AWW prepare for this exciting fundraising challenge, all whilst raising funds for our young people.

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Katherine Dodd, from AWW said, "Young Bristol is invaluable in supporting young people and communities across the city, so we were more than happy to get knee deep in mud to raise money for a great local cause."

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Thank you to all 14 of our participants for taking part in the 2026 South West Tough Mudder - we appreciate your incredible ongoing support! If you would like to support our participants continued fundraising, click on of the links below:

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• AWW
• Sanderson Government & Defence

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If you are interested in taking part in a third party fundraising event for Young Bristol in 2027 click here and learn how you can help fundraise for us!

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Lawrence, Head of Fundraising and Communications.

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Paul joined Young Bristol in July 2026 as Head of Fundraising and Communications. Prior to joining Young Bristol, the majority of his 30 year career has been spent in the voluntary youth sector, having come through similar organisations to Young Bristol in London and Essex. Paul was also CEO for Oxfordshire Association for Young People for six years. Recently, he was Head of Fundraising for a global charity and CEO of a large youth centre in London. Paul has over 20 years of experience with charity fundraising, with a particular focus on events and has taken part in many fundraising events that include climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running the London Marathon.

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Paul’s passion for this work comes from seeing young people have the opportunity to fulfil their potential. He strongly believes that youth clubs and activity-based programmes are powerful ways to achieve this, shaped by his own experience of youth networks and activities as a young person, which set him on his chosen career path.

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We hope you will join us in welcoming Paul to the Young Bristol team! To find out more about our team click here.

We are pleased to share that the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has chosen Young Bristol as its official charity partner, marking the start of a three-year partnership from 2026 to 2028.

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United by a shared commitment to opportunity, belonging and community connection, the three-year collaboration will build towards a pair of milestone anniversaries. In 2028, the Fiesta will celebrate its 50th year, while Young Bristol reaches 100 years of supporting young people across the city.

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Across the partnership, Young Bristol will work alongside the Fiesta to open doors for young people to explore opportunities. From engineering and logistics to creative production and live events, the collaboration will shine a light on the pathways that sit behind one of Bristol’s most distinctive global industries.‍

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Together, we aim to broaden horizons, raise aspirations and create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the moment the balloons take flight.

Join Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme for a free Introductory Session on Thursday 10th September 2026.

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Aged 16 - 25? Interested in gaining new qualifications, learning new skills and improving your future work opportunities?

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Young Bristol's Outdoor Employment Programme is running an Introductory Session for young people to come along and find out more about the programme and outdoor industry. The free programme supports young people aged 16 - 25 with barriers to employment, by developing skills and gaining qualifications in a variety of outdoor activities, including kayaking, canoeing, powerboating, rock climbing, archery, bushcraft, first aid and high ropes.

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Based from our Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre, young people aged 16 - 25 will have the opportunity to take part in paddling sessions on Bristol's iconic harbourside, find out more about the programme and sign up for 2026. Parents, carers and support workers are also welcome to attend alongside their young person.

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Paddle sessions will take place from 2:00pm - 4:30pm and 5:30pm - 8:00pm. Young people are welcome to attend one or both sessions. You can find our Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre on Hotwells Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS8 4RU.

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To sign up to our Introductory Session please click here to complete a consent form and email ph@youngbristol.com to confirm your attendance.