News, stories & updates

Thank you to the Bristol Young Heroes Awards for an amazing evening of celebrations at the Bristol Harbour Hotel on Friday 15th July 2022.

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Young Bristol would like to share a huge congratulations to all of the finalists and winners of the 2022 Bristol Young Heroes Awards. The Bristol Young Heroes Awards recognizes and celebrates the valuable contribution of young people aged 11 – 19 throughout Bristol. The awards also recognize groups and organisations which have shown exceptional team skills and dedication to benefit young people. 

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Ashton Vale Club for Young People’s Youth Worker, Julie Chapman, attended along with Young Volunteer, Chardonnay, who was a finalist for the ‘Action Hero’ Award! Chardonnay was nominated by the team at Ashton Vale for her amazing growth since joining the Youth Club in 2014 and volunteering three nights per week for over 2 years.

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Chardonnay, who suffers from anxiety and has learning difficulties, has flourished over the years becoming a trusted and valued member of the team, helping to deliver activities, running the tuck shop at Club and even supporting her local over 55’s Silver Social Club. The elderly members of the Club cannot speak highly enough of her! 

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‍"Chardonnay also suffered from a bereavement earlier this year, and even through this difficult time she continued to support the staff and club every week,” says Lead Youth Worker Julie Chapman, “This dedication to her community really puts her above the rest!”

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Congratulations to Chardonnay for being recognised as a finalist in the 2022 awards! It was incredible to hear about the inspirational young people in our city, who have overcome difficult circumstances, made a difference to the lives of others, or achieved something extraordinary.

Thanks to philanthropic donations, Young Bristol's BS14 Youth Club is currently under refurbishment, with exciting developments to the centre's kitchen and tuck area.

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As part of Young Bristol's 2022-25 Strategic Priorities, the charity will be focusing on investing in our infrastructure and resources to give young people and their communities an environment they can thrive in. Our Buildings & Facilities is one of Young Bristol's x5 Strategic Priorities for the upcoming years.

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The works at BS14 Youth Club will hugely improve the space and opportunities that the Club provides to young people who attend open access youth sessions, holiday clubs and after-school clubs. These spaces are regularly used to provide free meals to attending members, as well as exciting and inspiring opportunities to take part in cooking and baking activities. The improvements will also benefit the wider community who utilise the Community Youth Club during the daytime.

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Our Vision - Tuck Shop

Young people from Young Bristol's The Grove @ Bedminster Down, attended Bristol City Council’s ‘Children and Young People’s Voice - the future of Youth Services’ conference on Thursday 23rd June 2022.

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The group took part in discussions and workshops exploring what makes youth services easy to access, what support and opportunities should youth services provide, what qualities should youth workers have and, how can services support young people to feel safe.

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Feedback from the group included:

• “Youth Clubs need to be more normalised and visible!”
• “More promotion of Youth Clubs in school assemblies”
• “We want responsibilities at Youth Clubs”
• “More trips for life skills and work experience”
• “We want to learn more skills”
• “Youth workers need to be friendly and down to earth”
• “Young people to interview new youth workers”

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The event provided a safe space for the young people to express their ideas, thoughts and opinions - championing the importance of youth voice.

We are thrilled to share that Young Bristol has employed another 11 young people from our Outdoor Employment Programme, onto the Go Aloft programme!

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Our Outdoor Employment Programme (formerly known as the Instructor Training Scheme) is an entirely free programme that trains young people aged 16 – 25, who lack direction to become an outdoor activity instructor in a variety of outdoor activities including Kayaking, Canoeing, Climbing and High Ropes.

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After considerable training with Young Bristol, the group of 11 trainees from our Outdoor Employment Programme, have passed a challenging high ropes instructor assessment and will now be a part of the ‘Go Aloft!’ experience on the SS Great Britain, supporting hundreds of people to climb the rigging.

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Since 2014, Young Bristol has directly employed over 60 young people aged 16 - 25 with significant barriers to employment, to work with the SS Great Britain. Congratulations on your hard work and commitment to the programme!

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We are recruiting!

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We are now recruiting for new trainees to become Outdoor Instructors. Not only will you gain qualifications in Outdoor Pursuits and receive a First Aid Certificate, you will also meet new friends, build confidence and improve your physical and mental ability. All of which will increase your future work opportunities.

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The free programme runs one afternoon and one evening session per week, usually on a Thursday from our Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre and aims to fit in around existing college and work commitments.

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If you are interested please get in touch with Phil Harris, Outdoor Instructor Training Coordinator on 0117 929 2513 or email ph@youngbristol.com.

Young Bristol have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service by HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ., the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

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Bristol-based charity Young Bristol, is an outstanding provider of community-based youth services that positively and sustainably impact the lives of young people aged 8 – 25 years.

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Founded in 1928, Young Bristol has evolved into one of Bristol’s leading youth charities, providing 8 Community Youth Clubs and a Youth Club on Wheels, Outdoor Activities, as well as Sports, Creative, Employment and Educational programmes in communities across the city.

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Volunteers are at the centre of the charities work; working with young people during their critical non-school hours to offer a choice of opportunities, experiences, education, training and accredited learning.

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On Thursday 9th June following a week of celebrations for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Young Bristol invited volunteers and supporters from across the city to celebrate the charity formally receiving The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. Members of the charity’s Fundraising Committee and Trustee Board, through to programme volunteers, individual fundraisers and Corporate Partners, were invited to the event to celebrate their dedication to supporting children and young people in Bristol.

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HM Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. was in attendance at the event to present Young Bristol with the prestigious award, and spoke with some of the charity’s young volunteers who have benefitted from Young Bristol’s programmes, and are now giving their time to support other young people across the city.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ellie Kershaw, Marketing, Communication and Administration Apprentice at Young Bristol.

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Ellie Kershaw is a new member joining the Young Bristol team as a Marketing, Communication, and Administration Apprentice. She recently completed her sixth form of studies in English Language, Media Studies, and Business but also has previous experience in a customer service role. Her passion for creative writing and the media industry stemmed from the college courses she studied. Ellie hopes to explore these passions further in her new role, but also hopes to provide opportunities and benefits for young people in local communities.

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Young Bristol believes in the importance of developing young people and providing them with positive career opportunities. We hope you will join us in welcoming Ellie Kershaw to the Young Bristol team!

Young Bristol were thrilled to partner with Bristol Cathedral and other city-wide organisations for The Big Jubilee Lunch on College Green, on Sunday 5th June to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

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Young Bristol has been celebrating HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee throughout May and June, delivering a programme of Jubilee Activities across our Community Youth Clubs including bunting and badge making, Jubilee bake offs, fancy dress and sports tournaments. The month of May saw Ashton Vale Club for Young People, Avon Youth Club, BS14 Youth Club, Hartcliffe Club for Young People and The Grove @ Bedminster Down get involved with the celebrations, welcoming over 300 young people engaging with our programme of events and activities.

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Young Bristol has been celebrating HM The Queen's Platinum Jubilee throughout May across our city-wide Community Youth Clubs, providing fun activities and events for children and young people.

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Young Bristol has delivered a programme of Jubilee Activities at our Community Youth Clubs including bunting and badge making, Jubilee bake offs, fancy dress and sports tournaments. The month has seen Ashton Vale Club for Young People, Avon Youth Club, BS14 Youth Club, Hartcliffe Club for Young People and The Grove @ Bedminster Down get involved with the celebration. Over 300 young people have engaged with our programme of events and activities during May.

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This programme has kindly been supported by Sovereign Housing Association.

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The Big Jubilee Lunch

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Young Bristol are thrilled to be partnering with Bristol Cathedral and other city-wide organisations for The Big Jubilee Lunch on College Green, on Sunday 5th June to celebrate HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

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Join communities from across the city for a day of fun, food and festivities. The full day FREE event is suitable for all ages, with local charities and good causes such as Young Bristol, providing family friendly games and activities throughout the day.

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As a Big Lunch event the city of Bristol want to play our part in ending food poverty and so the event will be asking for donations for local food charities.

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Find out more about The Big Jubilee Lunch here. We look forward to seeing you there!

Members of the Royal Family, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Beatrice, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, welcomed 8,000 guests to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday 25th May, recognising and rewarding their dedication to public services.

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Jamie Cameron, Chair of Young Bristol, proudly represented the organisation at the prestigious Royal Garden Party. The event was held in celebration of the difference their staff team and volunteers make to young people's lives in Bristol. 

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Jamie shared his thoughts on the honour:

"I was really honoured to be invited to represent Young Bristol at Buckingham Palace today. This invitation was due to the commitment of lots of people over many years. So, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone in our fantastic team and our amazing volunteers (past and present). Thank you all!" -Jamie Cameron, Chair of Young Bristol

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In recognition of their significant voluntary service and dedication to local youth opportunities, volunteers Jayne Donnelly and Tracy Williams were also invited to the royal bash. Both have contributed extensively to the community of Sea Mills, including the Sea Mills Boys' and Girls Club.

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The party was a precursor to an upcoming milestone - Her Majesty The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, to be celebrated from June 2nd-5th, 2022. Another anticipated honour for Young Bristol is the receipt of The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service from Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ. in June 2022. This award is the highest acknowledgement a local voluntary group can receive in the UK.

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For more information about Young Bristol receiving The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, click here.