A warm welcome to our Fundraising Coordinators!

Thanks to Bristol City Council Community Infrastructure Levy Fund, we are pleased to see Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre under refurbishment, with exciting developments to the centre’s facilities and outdoor area!

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Since its inception in 2000, our Pooles Wharf Activity Centre has evolved to become one of Bristol’s premier providers of outdoor pursuits. The vibrant hub is home to a broad range of water-based opportunities for Bristol’s young people and the wider community, as well as hosting Young Bristol’s Outdoor Employment Programme, Kayak Club, Holiday Clubs and more!

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As part of the charity’s 2022-25 Strategic Priorities, we have focused on investing in our infrastructure, resources and buildings, ensuring young people and their communities have an environment that they can thrive in.

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The centre’s refurbishments have been made possible by Bristol City Council's Community Infrastructure Levy Fund as well as matched investment from Young Bristol, which has enabled us to give a much-needed modernisation to the centre. The refurbishments to the centre include slip resistant safety flooring, energy efficient lighting throughout, fully accessible bathroom, as well as the addition of double glazing to further boost our energy efficiency, helping to bring down the cost of utilities.

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The funding from Bristol City Council as well as our investments, have allowed us to transform the space, giving young people, schools, youth groups and the wider community an improved experience when accessing and using the facilities at the centre.

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The improvements, which began earlier this year, have also seen the installation of a new kitchen, toilets, interior and exterior lighting, windows and flooring, as well as an expansion of the downstairs entranceway.

Young Bristol are excited to announce that we have received grant funding from the KFC Youth Foundation!

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Ashton Vale Club for Young People, Hartcliffe Club for Young People, Sea Mills Boys' and Girls' Club and The Grove @ Bedminster Down were all selected amongst various other local organisations across KFC restaurant communities in the UK. Our aim with the funding will be to empower young people to reach their full potential!

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At Young Bristol, we believe that every young person has the right to discover what they are capable of. We work with young people aged 8 - 19 (up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) in 16 communities in and around Bristol, in-turn, supporting their families and wider communities. The funding received from the KFC Youth Foundation is vital as it will allow us to continue our work with Bristol’s young people by supporting their clubs core needs.

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Young Bristol would like to extend a huge thank you to the KFC Youth Foundation for recognising the work we do to help build positive futures for the young people of Bristol!

We are pleased to announce that we have been able to purchase our Young Leaders their own uniforms. Our 8 Young Leaders were excited to feel like part of the team with their new Young Bristol branded hoodies.

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Across our Community Youth Club network, we have a number of young people who are excited to join our voluntary team as young leaders! The role of our Young Leaders is to support the staff team and junior young people by running their own sports or crafts activities. Our Young Leaders also help with other jobs throughout sessions at their club such as running the Tuck Shop and supporting registrations.

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Young Leaders also help new young people to settle into the new environment. The team do this by introducing new young people to our current groups that attend and make sure they get involved with team sports and craft activities, which will help them to form new bonds!

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We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Leonard Laity Stoate Charitable Trust who provided us with the funding to purchase our Young Leaders uniform! If you would like to learn how you can become a Young Leader, click here to find your local Youth Club or contact us!

Recently, we nominated three Young Bristol staff members to receive an invitation to the royal families garden party, held at Buckingham Palace.

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Lucy, Head of Fundraising and Development, was nominated to receive an invitation as she has made significant contributions to our charity, enabling us to secure the resources required to deliver its strategic objectives, both now, in the past and in the future!

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Web and Jacky, from Hartcliffe Club for Young People, were also nominated to receive an invitation as the pair have shown incredible commitment to Hartcliffe's community and Youth Club for many years!

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Web Matthews said:

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I would like to thank Young Bristol for giving me the opportunity to attend this special occasion, I was deeply honored. The day was an excellent opportunity to visit the palace and see others who are doing so much in their communities. It has been a absolute pleasure serving young people. The relationships gained throughout the decades has meant so much to me.

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We would like to extend a huge thank you to our staff team and volunteers who continue to support Young Bristol. The contributions you make are invaluable to us!

This week is Volunteer Week, and Young Bristol would like to share a special thanks to everyone who has chosen to support us in each and every capacity. This week, we would like to shine a light on our amazing volunteers, who help us to offer a safe and inclusive environment and facilitate a range of activities for young people.

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We heard from Soha, a volunteer at The Grove @ Bedminster Down, who spoke to us about her experience volunteering at our Community Youth Clubs.

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Soha began volunteering in 2023, after hearing about us in 2019 during an NCS programme. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to join us when she initially planned due to the Covid pandemic. She wanted to try volunteering as she hoped this would reignite her passions and hoped volunteering would help her to find herself! After meeting the team and joining in on her first session at The Grove, she knew she had made the right decision for herself and has loved volunteering ever since!

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"I love volunteering for Young Bristol because it reflects the journey I have been on and all the obstacles I have overcome throughout my life. But more than that, I feel like I am part of a team full of open-minded individuals who have the same goals as me!"

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Soha's favourite thing about volunteering at our clubs is that she has been able to work with a range of people, both staff and young people, who come from a range of different backgrounds, circumstances and walks of life, who all come together and support each other. She loves to see young people learn new skills and build new relationships and could not be prouder of what she has helped them to achieve.

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"I went into volunteering with the intention of rediscovering myself; which it certainly has done. However, volunteering has proved to be so much more than that and it has been the best decision I have ever made!"

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A huge thank you to Soha and all our other volunteers for all your continued support across our Youth Clubs, helping young people discover what they are capable of! If you would like to volunteer with Young Bristol, click here to learn more.

This week is Volunteer Week, and Young Bristol would like to share a special thanks to everyone who has chosen to support Young Bristol in each and every capacity. This week, we would like to shine a light on our amazing corporate partners, who have gone above and beyond to voluntarily raise money and support Young Bristol.

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One example, from our number of incredibly generous partnerships we have developed, is BBS Plumbing and Heating Supplies. BBS contacted us prior to their 90th birthday event, where they were looking to support a local charity to help benefit the next generation of Bristolians. Their initial fundraising efforts at their 90th celebration raised over £5,000 for Young Bristol!

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This week is Volunteer Week, and Young Bristol would like to share a special thanks to everyone who has chosen to support Young Bristol in each and every capacity. One group we would like to shine a light on is our Board of Trustees!

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Our Board of Trustees are a group of volunteers who help to drive our developing work with children and young people across Bristol.  We are pleased to work with 11 trustees, who are responsible for the strategic direction and development of Young Bristol.

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We asked our Trustees why they chose to support Young Bristol. Jonathan Webb, President, said:

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"Young Bristol is a wonderful charity. Its impact goes way beyond all the things it does for the young people of Bristol and the wider area. Whenever I meet people who have had their lives improved for the better through YB  I am reminded what a privilege and pleasure it is to be involved. "

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Carolyn Jenkins, Trustee, added:

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"Everyone at Young Bristol works hard to support young people, providing opportunities and experiences to enhance and transform lives - from youth clubs to outdoor activities and employment schemes. It is an honour to be part of such a committed charity and team, and so rewarding to see the many stories of positive impact across the city"

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Thank you to our Board of Trustees for your continued support and voluntary efforts to support Young Bristol and the young people of Bristol!

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If you would like to support Young Bristol but unsure where to start, click here and read more on how you can support us!

Last week, Young Bristol were pleased to be in attendance at World Youth Clubs Leadership Institute 2024 in Atlanta, alongside some other great youth organisations from NABGC, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Liberia and Georgia as well as states across USA!

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During the first few days at World Youth Clubs Leadership Institute, attendees were given the opportunity to explore the facilities on offer for young people across Atlanta! Our team were also able to meet and connect with individuals from across the globe, who shared their experiences of youth work from different countries!

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Later in the week, World Youth Clubs Leadership Institute delegates and 14 other nations were recognised at the Boys & Girls Club of America's 118th Annual Conference! It was amazing to connect with youth working peers to explore strategies and share insights. Later in the conference, we heard from some of Atlanta's alumni, including singer-songwriter Usher, who had previously attended youth clubs in Atlanta as a teenager.

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We would like to thank World Youth Clubs for hosting another great conference this year. Young Bristol representatives enjoyed their time in Atlanta and have brought all their learning and growth back to Bristol, ready to apply and benefit our young people! We are excited to hopefully attend next years conference.

On Sunday 19th May, 9 runners signed up to run the AJ Bell Great Bristol run, to raise money for Young Bristol!

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Our 9 runners set off from the heart of Bristol City Centre and lapped around some of Bristol's most iconic landmarks and enjoyed the scenic views. The group that chose to fundraise for Young Bristol, set off from the starting line in the morning, and crossed the finish line with impressive lap times. Each of our runners pledged to raised a set amount, and each one smashed this target! Thank you to the group for all your fundraising efforts!

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Thank you to our 9 runners who took part in the Half marathon in aid of Young Bristol!

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If you are interested in taking part in a third party fundraising event for Young Bristol, click here to learn how you can fundraise for us.