Over the past few months I have been visiting members of the YG partnership scheme.  The scheme offers youth clubs county wide support. Whether a club is a start-up, volunteer led or run by paid staff we offer a whole range of service. These include: access to reduced insurance, policy writing support, a safeguarding hotline and free (or heavily discounted) training.

 

I have been to see over 30 partner clubs and organisations in the last four months who are members of this scheme.  In addition to the benefits mentioned above we have been able to offer bespoke training and resources on cyber safety in the last few months thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commission.

 

I have been amazed at the amount of people working out in the community with young people. From the clubs I have visited there are 120 volunteers and over 55 paid staff members. There is a lot going on in the county for young people and we don’t always talk about it.

 

The two most challenging areas highlighted by the clubs I visited were accessing funding and engaging YP on the fringes of their provisions.  Other challenges clubs are facing is the lack of volunteers and accessing training for staff.  Not only do these amazing staff and volunteers work with young people they are also looking at ways to make their projects sustainable. Many of the clubs do their own fundraising events to raise money. Others access funding from the PCC, through parish councils or housing providers in the area.

 

I have enjoyed the opportunity to visit many of these projects and see some of the great things happening in the county. It has been a really interesting process, travelling around the beautiful countryside, visiting a varied array of youth clubs, and seeing the many dedicated staff and volunteers doing amazing work with young people in the county.

 

Our partner club scheme is constantly growing and there are always more things we can be doing.  If you are interested in joining the scheme or you would like a visit and haven’t received one please get in touch.  Alternatively if there is anything we can do for you, your young people or your community, please let us know.