Youth Service

We work mainly with young people aged 13-19, although some centres have clubs for 11-13 year olds. We offer young people the following …

A place to meet friends
A chance to develop as individuals and in groups
To understand others and the world around them
To take part in interesting and challenging activities
To try new activities and acquire new skills
To find information, support and advice when needed
To discover ways of helping others in the community
Have a say, direct and influence over decisions which affect them
To gain an award for their participation

It also offers a professional service to voluntary youth groups on:

Grant aid
Youth work issues
Advice and support
Youth work is about encouraging young people to learn and have fun in their free time. It is based on four areas

Foundation

Basic principles which underpin youth work:

Learning
Valuing difference
Health and well being
Active citizenship

Activities

Sports
Arts - including DJ project
Outdoor and adventure education

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Youth forum
Advice, counselling, information and support
Themes

The range of issues affecting young people:

Relationships
Values and beliefs
Healthy lifestyles
Skills for success
Leisure and creativity
Community involvement
Settings

Where youth work takes place:

Seven youth centres across the Borough
Youth Counselling Service in Bracknell Town
Infoactive - double decker bus, mobile IT and other activities
Street Work Project

What is special about youth work?

"Young people need to choose to be involved not least because they want to relax, meet friends and have fun".

"The work starts where young people are - for example, with their view of the world and their interests".

"It seeks to go beyond where young people start, in particular by encouraging them to be critical and creative in their responses to their experience and the world around them".

"It takes place because young people are young people, not just because they have been labelled - for example as ‘delinquent’, unemployed’ or ‘truant’ ".

"It focuses on the young person as an individual but at the same time recognises and responds to the wider network of peers’, community and culture which are important to young people".

"It seeks to tip the balance of power in young people’s lives in their favour".

"It is concerned with how young people feel and not just with what they know and can do".