Ten young people from Torbay are to be given the opportunity to train for a qualification in youth work in a bid to get more support back onto the streets.
The announcement from Imagine This, a lottery-funded voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) partnership in Torbay has been made to mark National Youth Work Week (November 4-11), which celebrates the power of youth work in reaching young people on their streets and in their communities.
Imagine This has been working with the National Youth Agency to develop the opportunity for 10 local young people to train for a nationally recognised Level 2 Youth Work Award starting in January
Youth workers can often build relationships of trust with young people in ways that teachers, parents and other professionals can’t, and like most places in the UK, Torbay’s numbers of youth workers have been diminishing over the past decade.
Data from the National Youth Agency shows the impact that increased youth work can have on levels of anti-social behaviour, adolescent mental health and wellbeing and participation in positive activities.
Imagine This is looking forward to seeing the impact that increased youth work in Torbay will have, particularly by empowering young people themselves to become the youth workers of the future.
Lisa Money, Imagine This Partnership Manager, said: “We know the impact that youth work can have, but sadly, youth work has become less available as a career option for future generations. We’re excited to see the outcome of the investment made possible by the National Lottery in our local young people’s future as our new youth workers.”
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