Get ready for Youth Work Week 2024! 

Youth Work Week 2024 will take place from Monday 4 to Sunday 10 November 2024. The theme this year is A right to youth work for all – delivering positive futures for young people. It's our opportunity to show decision-makers and celebrate with our peers the variety of youth work taking place and the ways in which it can (and should) be accessible to all young people regardless of their personal circumstance. 

The annual Youth Work Week event, hosted by the National Youth Agency, aims to raise awareness of the life-changing difference youth workers have on young people aged between 8 - 25 years of age. This year Youth Work Week is focussing on the accessibility and inclusivity of youth work and how all young people deserve the opportunity to take part in it.  

Youth Work Week is a chance to raise awareness of the difference youth work makes to young people, providing them with somewhere to go, something fun to do, the chance to make new friends, learn new skills and receive the support of a trusted adult. 

Youth Work is hugely important to young people, and the National Youth Agency youth survey shows that it helps young people feel more connected to their community and have a sense of belonging: https://nya.org.uk/youth-survey-2024 ⁠
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The survey found that nearly three-quarters of young people who attend a youth club weekly said that it supported their mental and physical wellbeing a great deal. Conversely, our latest Census report shows that the demand for mental health support from youth organisations has increased more than any other targeted service, with demand increasing amongst 82% of respondents. ⁠
This year’s #YouthWorkWeek theme highlights the importance of 𝘼 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡: https://nya.org.uk/youth-work-week⁠

For Youth Work Week the NYA has also launched the Art of Youth Work campaign, which is an invitation for young people to create a piece of original music, dance, spoken word or visual art which brings to life how their youth club or provision provides a safe and inclusive space where they can discover their talents, celebrate their identity and feel connected within their communities. Youth clubs and provision are being encouraged to unveil their creations or host a celebratory performance as part of their Youth Work Week celebrations.  

BSL Poet Laureate, Ismael Mansoor, fresh from performing at Glastonbury, is backing the campaign and will be creating a BSL poem all about youth work inspired by a visit to a youth club which supports young people who are deaf.  

The campaign is also being supported by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Harrison Pettman and actor Tienne Simon, whose character, ‘Bishop’, was supported by a youth worker in the BBC 3 series Grime Kids. 

Leigh Middleton, OBE, Chief Executive, National Youth Agency, said:  

“This year, Youth Work Week is focussing on ‘Youth Work for All’ and the Art of Youth Work campaign will help us, collectively, showcase the many wonderful ways that youth work celebrates diversity and the value of youth work to local communities, through whichever creative medium they choose. 

“Youth voice is at the heart of everything NYA does and we hope that all those involved in youth work will take advantage of this opportunity to bring to life the array of youth work taking place across the country, and how these opportunities enable young people to stay well and gain the essential life skills needed to flourish as they progress into adulthood.” 

You can find everything you need plus inspiration around how you can get involved here: https://nya.org.uk/youth-work-week/

They also have a series of free Youth Training here:
Youth Work Week 2024 - National Youth Agency