The #CYW team have been working hard over the past 12 months to increase the profile of the campaign. A campaign, designed by youth work practitioners with the clear aim to raise the profile of youth work as a career option and an invaluable service for young people.

Rebuilding the sector after a decade of significant decline in funding and consequently services to young people cannot be achieved alone so please join us:

• talk to the young people you work with, and make sure they know you are a youth worker and they are experiencing youth work,
• take a selfie outside your place of work – adding the caption I am a Youth Worker and I work here – to demonstrate the variety of settings youth work happens tag in #chooseyouthwork
• create social media posts sharing why you do youth work and what you gain from it – tag in #chooseyouthwork
• tag in #chooseyouthwork to all youth work related posts
• display and be proud of your youth work qualifications – so that young people, parents / carers, sector partners know we are a trained and informed professionals.
• look at out for and like other people’s posts using the #chooseyouthwork
• and finally ask people of all ages who have experienced youth work to share the impact, how did it influence or benefit them – social media posts, posters, case studies …… tag in #chooseyouthwork

feedback from the sector indicates that not everyone recognises what youth work is, to help others know what they are looking at ….. tag in #thisisyouthwork

Youth work is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a difference in the lives of young people. This week, youth work has been highlighted in the media, showcasing the powerful stories and experiences that illustrate why this sector is so vital.

Youth Workers and seen as  Trusted Adults  here is one interpretation.  Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion | TED Talk

Hear from Bradford’s Young Youth Work Ambassadors

For a greater insight into the difference youth work makes listen to Cohen’s Story

Youth Work Week

If you’ve ever seen me lead a meeting, advise a director, or rally a room into action, you might think I’ve always been this confident. Truth is, that confidence was built – layer by layer- through youth work. This Youth Work Week, I’m celebrating how being involved in youth work has shaped the person I am today.

Confidence

Through Opportunity Youth work gave me space to try, fail, learn, and grow. It wasn’t about perfection – it was about participation. Whether I was leading a group activity, speaking up in a planning session, or navigating a tricky moment with peers, I was constantly encouraged to step forward. That steady encouragement built my confidence – not just in what I could do, but in who I could be. Today, that confidence has led me to my current role living in London (rather than Yorkshire) and being a Principal Advisor to two incredible Directors at Transport for London.

Empathy

Through Insight Youth work opened my eyes to the world beyond my own. I met other young people from every walk of life, each with their own story, challenges, and strengths. This taught me the power of empathy – not just as a feeling, but as a leadership skill. It’s about truly understanding others’ experiences and emotions, seeing the world through their eyes, and responding with kindness and respect. This empathy builds trust, fosters collaboration, and creates inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and heard.

Being Championed by Incredible Youth Workers

In youth work, I wasn’t just learning – I was being lifted. I was championed by mentors who saw potential before I did, who encouraged me to speak up, step in, and stand tall. They didn’t just guide me – they believed in me. A special thanks must go to Sarah Bellamy and Charlee Bewsher, thier belief made all the difference. It gave me the courage to take on leadership roles, to advocate for inclusion, and to trust my instincts. Today, when I mentor new graduates or advise senior leaders, I carry that legacy forward—because I know what it means to be championed, and I strive to offer that same support to others.

And Yes—A Whole Bag of Icebreakers Let’s not forget the practical perks.

Youth work gave me a treasure trove of icebreakers, energizers, and creative ways to connect. Because at its heart, youth work is about bringing people together—and that’s something I carry with me every day!

Why Youth Work Matters

Youth work is more than just youth clubs. It’s mentoring, advocacy, leadership, and community-building. It builds confident, compassionate citizens. It changes young people lives (mine included) by giving them the tools to navigate life, advocate for themselves and others, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. It’s where future leaders learn to listen. Where changemakers discover their voice. Where empathy, resilience, and creativity are nurtured – not just for the moment, but for a lifetime  – Emilia Ashton

The voices of young people are at the heart of youth work. They inspire us to engage, support, and empower. Here are some key highlights from recent media features:

• Saturday Live –
  Selina Brown, creator of the Black British Book Festival and author, back in October shared her powerful experiences in youth work and her journey as part of the UK Youth Parliament. Selina’s story reflects the transformative power of youth engagement and the importance of representation. You can listen here – Saturday Live – Nigel Slater, Selina Brown, Andrew Ziminski, Ian Rankin – BBC Sounds

• The One Show –
  Shared an insightful segment showcasing the incredible work being done by Young Bristol. The feature highlighted the initiatives that empower young people, provide essential services, and foster community spirit. Young Bristol exemplifies the positive change that youth work can bring to local communities. Watch here – Bing Videos 

• BBC Look North – October 31st 2024
• Youth club on wheels hoping to improve young lives A mobile youth club that aims to stop children “going down the wrong path” launched in October with an amnesty bin to allow knives to be surrendered. The Always An Alternative van in Sheffield will work with young people at risk of knife crime, substance misuse and mental health issues. The vehicle has a gaming area and studio for music and video production, and there is space to store sports equipment and art materials.

• Parliamentlive.tv – Culture, Media and Sport Committee met in December where they discussed the Subject: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Are you passionate about making a difference in young people’s lives? Join the movement! Whether you’re considering a career in youth work or looking to volunteer, there are countless opportunities waiting for you. Roles the YWU have been asked to share can be found here

We’d love to hear your stories and experiences in the youth work sector! Whether you’re a young person, a youth worker, or simply someone who believes in the power of youth, your voice matters. Share your news, experiences, or thoughts with us, and let’s inspire others to join this vital field!

Youth work is a dynamic and fulfilling career path that not only shapes the lives of young people but also enriches the communities we serve. Be part of this vital sector and help create a brighter future for the next generation.

Here at the YWU we provide several events from our youth workers networks to our annual conference. We provide training in all aspects of youth work and beyond many are delivered specifically for individual organisations, though occasionally we do offer open courses for anyone to enrol.

Degree level training is available across the county- click the link to find a course that works for you https://nya.org.uk/degrees-offered-by-higher-education-institutions/

More information about training the YWU can provide can be found https://youthworkunit.com/about-us/our-offer/training/ for more information contact the team on theunit@youthworkunit.com

the Network of Regional Youth Work Units share many of their CPD opportunities with practitioners outside of their region, so do check out their websites https://www.regionalyouthunits.com/

Training is a vital resource for supporting and developing the youth work sector workforce including volunteers. It promotes retention, progression and of course the best possible experience for young people.