Somerset County Council youth workers offer a wide variety of opportunities to all young people across Somerset within a priority age group of 13 – 19 years. We build relationships on trust and respect and ask young people for their opinions and involve them in decision making, supporting them to speak for themselves in their communities and beyond. Our aim is to work with young people to help them maximise their potential.

Where?

We work across Somerset in a range of settings such as purpose built youth centres and clubs, village and community halls and in schools. Youth workers also go out on the streets and parks where young people hang out and on mobile units which travel to young people. Some clubs and projects have a regular membership whilst other are casual drop-in centres. In addition there are single gender and special needs groups and specialist projects such as peer education, leaving care and motor projects.

What?

Youth workers offer a wide range of positive activities such as the arts, outdoor education, team games, skateboarding, ICT, a recording studio and lots more. We offer young people the opportunity to meet friends, listen to and create music and have their own space. Youth workers can also help young people get advice and information on subjects such as health, work, leaving home, the law and other issues which affect them.

Partners

We work in partnership with many organisations including Connexions Somerset, voluntary youth organisations, a wide range of agencies working with young people, parish, town and district councils, schools and colleges etc.

Integrated Teams

Youth workers are now part of integrated Local Service Teams, of which there are 8 across the county. There is a small central team based at Hestercombe House near Taunton to look after the central co-ordination of young people's participation, curriculum and policy development and county-wide projects. Contact Angela Derry on 01823 410134 or aderry@somerset.gov.uk for more information.