A new name has been announced, Youth Connect, for a collaboration of services for young people provided by the Council and Connexions across the local area.
The youth service and Connexions have merged into one service under the Youth Connect banner, making it easier for young people to access the support they need.
The name Youth Connect was chosen by young people themselves.
Youth Connect provides a range of services for young people, from positive activities and advice through to individual support for those who need it the most for moving on into adulthood and work or training.
It includes the work of the four youth hubs – at Southside and Riverside in Bath; Peasedown St John, and Radstock, as well as outreach hub service available in other locations across the area. These provide activities, advice and guidance to young people.
The youth hubs can also signpost into more targeted support for those who may need a bit of extra help to be able to get into training, education or work. This is a very targeted service provided in different ways depending on individuals’ needs.
Examples of how Youth Connect has benefited young people include:
- A Youth Connect adviser helped a young person with mental health difficulties by researching and co-ordinating a tailored education and training package – this helped to build up their skills and confidence and eventually re-join mainstream education.
- A young man had been unemployed since leaving college and was being treated for anxiety and depression.
- Youth Connect supported him in developing his confidence and he has now joined The Prince’s Trust re-engagment/employability programmes for unemployed young people.
- Youth Connect supported a young woman to realise her ambition of working with children.
- An adviser helped her to apply for college and apply for a bursary as well as securing her a placement at a primary school.
- She is now at Bristol City College working towards her teaching qualification.
Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children, and Youth, Cllr Dine Romero (Lib Dem, Southdown) said: “Youth Connect is an important service for many young people who need a bit of extra support on their way into adulthood.
“Despite the name change, those young people who use our services won’t see much change at all – this is more about how we deliver services and joining things up.”
Youth Connect will also continue to co-ordinate the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Bath & North East Somerset.
