This month we celebrated the right to youth work for all as part of Youth Work Week 2024.
“As a parent of a 15 year old who has autism and no social desire to have friends. I feel that youth club is a safe place where he can mix with other young people at his own pace. He has built connections and relationships without the social pressures and complexities that friendships can have.”
Every young person has the right to the safe space that youth club offers. A space to build relationships in their own way and surprise themselves with what they are capable of achieving.
At JIGSAW we offer weekly term time youth clubs in conjunction with Krunch South West for young people aged 14-25 years with additional needs or disabilities. Each group has 10 young people, providing consistency for those attending so that young people know who to expect at each session, therefore reducing anxiety and making it easier to grow positive relationships. Young people can try new things in a safe space and grow independence. All our sessions are planned in response to feedback and suggestions from young people.
“Youth club is brilliant as I like being with other people like me” – Youth club member feedback
Thanks to funding from Thornbury Town Council as part of the South Gloucestershire Youth Work Partnership, we have been able to double our provision this year! We ran 34 youth club sessions in the first 6 months of the year and provided 4 other one-off activities open to all our young members aged 14-25 years. 31 young people joined in with activities, giving a total of 243 positive engagements!
Our young people have enjoyed…
- Getting active with street dance, gym sessions, and walking the therapy dog
- Improving confidence in topics like online safety and writing cover letters
- Having fun and relaxed social time with games nights, quizzes, movie night, end of term party and nerf battle
- Getting involved in the community by attending the Thornbury Town Council AGM and accessing a local park
- Trying new things out and about, including a woodland session, bodyboarding at The Wave, getting the bus into Bristol and playing games at The Pod youth café
One of our regular youth club members said ”Youth club has been beneficial for me and helps me feel part of the community. I really look forward to it.”
We are so proud of the achievements of all the young people who have overcome challenges and found new strengths in coming along to youth club and other activities for 14-25 year olds. The impact for these young members goes far beyond the sessions they attend. In the last 6 months we have seen 2 young members gain local awards, 1 offered paid employment after being supported to take on work experience at a local gym, 2 members progress from home education to attending college and 5 young members raise awareness at our JIGSAW June stakeholder event by sharing their experiences!
There is lots to celebrate! Get in touch to find out more and add your name to the waiting list for Youth Club at admin@jigsawthornbury.org.uk.