As the countdown to Christmas continues, Young Somerset wanted to share some of the amazing things their team has been up to. Even though the year is coming to an end, the Young Somerset team continues to support young people through a variety of different services across the county. Read on to find out more…
National Youth Work Week 2024 During National Youth Work Week, the Young Somerset team had a very successful week taking over a pop-up shop in Angel Place, Bridgwater. This event, in collaboration with Seed, brought a wider audience to the shop, many of whom had not previously heard of Young Somerset. Throughout the week, they hosted art workshops, games, and a range of other activities for young people. They also showcased the incredible work made by the young people of Somerset through their Bold and Brave pop-up shop. Additionally, they learned about the challenges young people in the area are facing, such as the lack of safe spaces to talk to trusted adults and poor employability opportunities. Their aim is to work closely with service partners and young people to enhance their support services.
Thank You, National Lottery Community Fund! Young Somerset is thrilled to announce that they received £294,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to support their Bold & Brave initiative. This funding will help some of the more vulnerable young people in Somerset gain the skills needed to secure employment. Since opening their Bold and Brave gift shop in 2021, they have been developing their initiative, including opening a café in Taunton Library to offer much-needed enterprise and work-based learning opportunities. This vital funding will allow them to expand Bold and Brave into at least two other areas in Somerset, supporting over 200 young people into employment.
Supported Interns Update The supported interns at Young Somerset have embraced the Christmas spirit by creating a range of festive decorations and handmade Christmas cards, now available for purchase at Bold and Brave. They have also completed their Level 2 Food Hygiene training and are now independently making hot drinks for customers. Recently, the interns hosted their own Christmas party at the shop, organizing and catering the event themselves. Their progress and initiative have been remarkable.
