Youth work in Gloucester and across the county had a moment in the spotlight last Thursday as Stephanie Peacock MP, Government Minister for Sport, Civil Society and Youth heard how things are changing for young people in the area and launched a brand-new youth night.
It came as part of a visit by the Minister to Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, who began delivery of universal open access youth services in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean last October, working in partnership with The Venture Community Hub and the Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF).
At Gloucester Services the Minister and colleagues enjoyed a tour of Gloucester Services and an overview of the Trust’s partnership with Westmorland, and how the ripple effect of the growth of Gloucester Services over the last ten years enabled the Trust to bid for the youth services contract last year.
Communities taking ownership
The Minister then heard how the community ownership model introduced by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust is having an impact locally.
Dawn Barnes, Chief Executive of The Venture Community Hub said: ‘The approach that we have taken to delivering the Youth Contract has shown what’s possible when commissioning is rooted in trust and community ownership. Smaller organisations like ours often face barriers in traditional commissioning models, but by taking a partnership-led approach, we’ve proven that local networks can deliver real results.
We’ve already seen the difference this makes — from thriving youth activities across the city to young people shaping their own futures. Our ambition is bold: youth provision in every community, a unified youth voice strategy, investment in training, and a pathway for youth work to become a valued career. This is just the beginning.”
Four young people who had also been working with The Venture and Gloucestershire Gateway Trust over the summer to decide how a Summer Youth Fund was spent also had the opportunity to talk to the Minister. They shared how good it felt to be part of decision making for services they use and other things that affect them. Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre also asked the young people if there was one change they’d like to see for young people in Gloucester.
Bonnie, who attends Blackbridge Youth Club said: “I heard in Denmark that there are empathy classes and that’s what we need here, because a lot of people now are thinking about what they need and will do anything to get it, but we need to be thinking what we need and working together to get it.”
Prioritising investment in youth work
The Minister then visited the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub in Podsmead, where Gloucestershire Gateway Trust are supporting the future of youth work through £100,000 of funding per year for the next four years.
After a tour of the facility, which opened in late April, the Minister met some of the young people that attend the weekly youth clubs at the hub, run by the Blackbridge CCBS Youth Work Team, as well as other key funders.
Nick Temple, CEO for Social Investment Business said: “It’s wonderful to see Podsmead’s young people thriving and enjoying the benefits of the inspiring new Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, all made possible by a £2.5 million Youth Investment Fund grant. It’s a shining example of quality youth work and co-production; with young people’s voices shaping its design and service offer. It’s a space that young people can truly identify with.”
“The Youth Investment Fund is a vote of confidence in young people and youth work, transforming young people’s opportunities and giving them access to trusted youth workers, in safe and modern spaces in the heart of communities that need it most.”
To conclude the visit, the Minister was invited to launch a brand-new youth night – Fit Friday – which includes bookable sessions for local young people to use the new sports pitches, as well as other facilities at the hub. A new youth café will also launch on the same evening and complements the Tuesday and Thursday youth clubs already running at the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub.
Debbie Etheridge, Head of Youth Provision, Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub said:
“We were delighted and proud — as an organisation, as a youth team, and on behalf of all the young people who benefit from using the Community and Sports Hub in Podsmead — to showcase what we’ve achieved together. It’s undoubtedly something to be proud of and having Stephanie Peacock MP and our supporters and stakeholders who have helped us on our journey here with us was the cherry on the cake.
As the new home of the dedicated Podsmead Youth Work Team, we’re proud to offer safe spaces, trusted relationships, and meaningful opportunities — helping young people build brighter futures, right here in their own community.”
Summarising the visit Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth Stephanie Peacock said:
“Gloucestershire Gateway Trust is transforming youth provision in the area through their community-led approach. The launch of Fit Fridays at Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub perfectly demonstrates what we can achieve when we invest in young people and give them the facilities and opportunities they deserve.
As part of our Plan for Change, this Government is committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for all young people. Projects like this, which combine sport, community engagement and youth work, are exactly what we need to help young people thrive and build the skills and confidence that will serve them throughout their lives.”