Support extended to local youth organisations across the county

We are proud to announce extended support to local youth organisations across Wiltshire and Swindon, which will significantly enhance connectivity and capacity for youth voluntary sector throughout the county.

In 2020, we responded to a need and an appetite for closer collaboration between youth organisations across the county. This led to the development of the Wiltshire and Swindon Youth Work Network (WSYWN), through the creation of an online forum where youth workers could connect with their peers, share practice and learning. Over 150 people have participated in the regular network meetings since, convening discussions on a range of themes including impacts of the pandemic, cost of living, drugs/county lines, youth voice, youth mental health and wellbeing, safeguarding and training and development, prevention of youth suicide and alternative provision.

Since December 2022, building on nearly 3 years of hosting the WSYWN, a core group of voluntary and community sector organisations and statutory partners involved in delivering and supporting youth work provision in the county have been working together strategically as the Wiltshire Youth Partnership (WYP).

The partnership’s long-term vision is to improve the youth offer across Wiltshire and Swindon. By strengthening the networks, building the capacity of youth organisations, increasing the training offer to help address our local shortage of skilled youth workers, we are working collaboratively to help ensure that young people across the county have access to high-quality services, now and in the future.

To lead and convene the Youth Work Network and Partnership, we are recruiting a new Youth Partnership Development Manager. This exciting new role will ensure the continued success of both the WSYWN and the WYP, support their growth and enable local youth work activities to be better connected and responsive to the needs of young people.

Recent investment has been secured from Wiltshire Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, to enable us to continue the success and growth of the WSYWN and the WYP. The Community Foundation is working collaboratively with local partners to help increase youth work capacity and support for the local youth sector across the county.

The investment is also enabling us to establish a new Youth Work Capacity Building, Training, and Support Fund, to be launched later in the year. The fund will seek to expand youth work capacity in the county and increase access to skills development and training opportunities for local voluntary sector youth groups and organisations.

Rhys Schell, Head of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Wiltshire Council explains: “Wiltshire Community Foundation has been instrumental in leading and developing the emerging Wiltshire Youth Partnership. The county is fortunate to have many varied and diverse youth organisations, who provide excellent opportunities for our young people. The Foundation has brought youth and statutory organisations together from across the county, as well as experts from national agencies, creating a real momentum to build a strong, collaborative community youth partnership in Wiltshire.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Philip Wilkinson, said: “This role is integral to supporting young people across Wiltshire and helping them to achieve their potential, regardless of their starting points in life.

“Through their work, and the work of my office, we can better coordinate the services available to young people to avoid unnecessary duplication, and make sure that our collective efforts are directed to the front-line projects and schemes which have continued to have a considerably positive effect on the younger members of our communities.

“By working together, we can make Wiltshire a better and safer place for all our residents”.

Our Director of Partnerships, Margaret Firth, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our collaboration with Wiltshire Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is enabling us to continue and expand our support to local youth work organisations.

“Youth work plays a crucial role in the lives of young people, offering support, opportunities and a sense of community. We are extremely proud of the work that we’ve been doing for the last 5 years to connect and empower youth organisations across our county, I am excited that we’ll be able to continue and grow this work, and that in turn local youth workers will continue to help create positive differences in the lives of young people.”

To find out more about the Youth Partnership Development Manager role, and for full details on how to apply, please click here.