Community Youth Project

General information

With the demise of County Youth Services in 2012, many communities in Somerset were facing the challenge of keeping their youth provision operating. In the face of this, a number of local councils in South Somerset who were dedicated to supporting their young people got together to explore the provision of a sustainable youth worker resource which could be collaboratively and efficiently employed across their communities. From this the Community Youth Project was born.

Partnership funding was sought to create this local resource and support was forthcoming from Somerset County Council, Somerset County Youth Opportunities Group, South Somerset District Council, Yarlington Housing Group, the Home Office Crime Innovation Fund and a local Charitable Trust. In addition each participating community has committed to make a financial contribution equivalent to its needs.

Currently operating in villages surrounding Yeovil, such as Martock, Somerton, the Charltons, Kingsbury Episcopi, the Hamdons and Tintinhull, we provide a locally managed, community focussed youth work support which identifies and meets the needs of young people and helps them to engage positively in their local area.

We support communities to:

consult with young people about youth provision;
establish youth club sessions;
organise, run and staff sessions;
put in place the associated policies, procedures and professional support;
provide other support such as outreach and organised activities;
and find funding to support youth activities.
In return the community joins the project and is able to get involved in how its provision for young people runs and develops over the coming years and how the Community Youth Project grows in the future.

If this sounds like the solution you are looking for then please contact our Project Manager, Louise Treacher on 07814 248281 to discuss your needs further.