Single gender groups

Over recent months we have been steadily increasing the amount of youth work we do in single gender groups, with the aim that everything we do creates safe spaces for young people in distinctly different environments, and therefore enables open positive conversations in different ways. Currently this programme includes:

• Three girls groups – two in East Bowling for different age groups, and one in Holme Wood. All the groups involve lots of laughter, games, food, crafts and conversations on a wide range of topics.
• Braver – an informal group on a Monday supporting young women aged 16-25 to look after their mental health.  An informal time to chat over tea and toast, learn from one another, share concerns, and relax with games and crafts. This is a partnership project with Step2 Young People’s Health Charity.
• Three boys groups – one each in Holmewood, Bierley and East Bowling. Two of these groups have an outdoor activity/bushcraft theme (in partnership with Step2), often involving cooking over a campfire, and the other is built around sports activities. All three aim to create a positive environment where lads can chat and discuss things they may not engage with in mixed gender groups.

A few weeks ago we had our first “joint boys and girls group” session. Yes – we know this sounds like any normal session, but it was actually a real pleasure to have the girls ‘host’ the boys, teach them a few games and share what their group looks like. We hope we can repeat this idea in the coming months.