Blog Archives - UK Youth

Each November, Youth Work Week shines a light on the people, spaces, and partnerships that make youth work such a vital part of our communities. This year’s theme — “Building Brighter Futures” — celebrates the safe spaces and trusted support youth work provides every day.

At UK Youth, we’re proud to stand alongside the youth workers and young people who make this work possible. Throughout the week, we’ve showcased stories of collaboration, growth and empowerment — each one a reflection of youth work’s lasting impact.

Celebrating Youth Work in Action

From employability programmes to outdoor learning, this year’s celebration has been a testament to the power of partnership.

Through our Building Aspirations programme, delivered in partnership with Intact Insurance UK, we’re helping young people build essential skills, confidence and direction for the future. Since January, delivery partner RISE UP has supported over 250 young people across the UK, with 22 moving into employment within 12 weeks of completing the programme — a powerful example of youth work translating directly into brighter futures. We also spotlighted how Rise Up has extended opportunities beyond Greater Manchester, empowering young people to reach new goals and communities.

Together with Volunteering Matters (who jointly power the #iwill Movement), My Life My Say and Savanta, we co-designed Deliver You: a groundbreaking campaign where we focused on supporting and shaping the Government’s upcoming National Youth Strategy — a once-in-a-generation chance to secure long-term investment in the youth sector. We put young people at the heart of policy and gave more than 14,000 young people the chance to shape the National Youth Strategy.

We also celebrated our collaboration with outdoor learning partners through Adventures Away from Home, now underway across all nine regions of England. Funded by the UK Government (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) and managed by UK Youth, the programme is giving 30,000 young people access to fully funded day and residential outdoor learning experiences. Using our Experience, Learn, Develop Outdoor Learning Youth Work Framework, over 100 providers are helping young people build confidence, wellbeing, and life skills — showing that youth work happens everywhere, from city centres to open fields.

What Youth Work Means to Us: Reflections from Young People and UK Youth Staff

This week, we also took a moment to listen to the young people and our wonderful staff at the heart of this movement. Their words remind us why youth work matters now more than ever.

Thora Eberts, Director of Network Delivery at UK Youth, shared,

“Youth work is so much more than a relationship between a young person and a trusted professional.”

She also said, “It’s a process and a practice centred around the young person that fundamentally recognises and upholds their agency in shaping their present and future. Based on the four cornerstones of empowerment, participation, equality and education, youth work provides young people with the space and skills to learn, develop, and lead.

Through my work at UK Youth, I feel privileged to witness the power of young people and the youth workers who serve them daily, whether it’s young people leading the #iwill Movement, those developing their skills through employment opportunities like the Summer Jobs Programme, or the countless youth workers supporting young people in their communities to safely navigate increasing division and polarisation, youth work is making a difference for young people across the UK.”

Young people also shared powerful reflections on what youth work has meant for them:

“Without Youth Work, I would just be wandering around aimlessly and not knowing what to do and when.” — Ben

Bobby shared,

“I think youth work plays a massive part in the growth and development of our youth, and it’s really important in our communities. I know it was for me – it went to a youth club every Wednesday throughout my transformative years, and I learnt skills that have stuck with me throughout my life and really brought me closer to my community. I think it’s important we give our young people that same opportunity.”

Looking Ahead

As Youth Work Week comes to a close, we celebrate not only the stories shared but also the thousands that are still unfolding every day across the UK. To every youth worker creating opportunities, and every young person finding their voice — thank you for helping us build brighter futures, together.

Discover more about Youth Work Week