September always feels like a new start in the youth worker’s year, and this year is no different, and it is completely different! We want everyone to know that we are open and looking to do as much with young people as we can in safe and secure ways.
We are encouraged that young people are back in schools, and we know that for the majority this is a really positive thing for them. Most of the schools we have been working with over the years have also welcomed us back to support young people so we are busy making sure we work within each school’s guidelines to offer the best service possible to young people.
The current Covid19 guidelines for youth work mean we are able to work with small groups of young people and do detached work on the streets but we can’t do large open access/drop in sessions. We are therefore setting up groups by invitation for as many young people as we can across all our communities – some will be themed, some will be focused on an age group and others will enable the young people to set the agenda. Through these groups we will continue to support young people to grow and develop personally and to be more engaged in their local community.
Two further new things for this September include some funding to develop new work in Holme Wood which will see us out on the streets of the estate most evenings meeting young people. Secondly, we are working with a core group of young people to assess and develop the work of Xstream – our Friday evening for young people to explore the Christian faith together. We are excited for what will grow through both of these.