Open Access Youth Clubs
Pelton Youth Project aims to provide young people with a traditional youth work offer, in the form of open-access youth clubs. These youth clubs, available on an evening, are open to all young people who want to attend them, within a particular age range. It is important that young people access our clubs voluntarily, as this is a key principle of youth work. During sessions, youth workers utilise Pelton Youth Project's Youth Work Curriculum and plan activities according to the needs of the young people attending youth clubs. It is important that our young people play a role in the planning of activities, youth work should start where young people are, with their views of the world and with their interests. Youth workers regularly consult with young people on the projects they would like to complete, and action these wherever possible.
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Groups
In addition to our traditional youth work offer, Pelton Youth Project has a Duke of Edinburgh's Award group twice a week delivering three sessions. The DofE is all about going the extra mile - gaining new skills, pushing yourself physically, helping others, and exploring new territories. Our sessions offer young people the chance to complete their Duke of Edinburgh's Awards at all levels - Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The DofE Award involves young people completing four sections - physical, volunteering, expedition, and skill, to achieve a full award. The young people who have completed their DofE Awards with us, have enjoyed their experience and benefited from gaining one of the most nationally recognised and prestigious youth achievement awards.
Offsite Activities Term Time and School Holidays
Here at Pelton Youth Project, we believe that learning outdoors is an important part of every young person's development, be it physical, personal, social, emotional, or cultural. Informal education is not restricted to centre-based provision and can be enhanced further through offsite activities that are both educational and fun. Children and young people will return stimulated, enthused, and with much greater knowledge about themselves, their own skills, and a deeper understanding of the environment they live in. Youth workers plan and organise offsite programmes both during term time and in the school holidays. The programmes are often influenced by the funding available and the young people attending the project at the time. Where possible, youth workers like to offer these experiences free of charge, so that all young people can enjoy them regardless of their circumstances.
Outreach Youth Work Offer
Pelton Youth Project values outreach or street-based youth work as this enhances our youth work delivery. It allows us to work with young people in their own environment, on their terms, and explore new locations. It also provides youth workers with the opportunity to promote services to young people and encourage them to attend youth centre-based provision. This method of youth work delivery was particularly valuable in 2020 - 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, while our centre-based provision was unavailable due to restrictions. It allowed the team to maintain contact with local young people, providing them with any support they needed during the crises.