Youth Services

What is the Youth Service?

The Youth Service provides information, support and guidance to young people ages 11-25. We are a team of youth workers, youth support workers and volunteers working in communities and schools across Blaenau Gwent.

Our approach is to treat young people with respect, working with them to help them stay safe, and respecting their rights to make their own decisions. We work both in and out of schools offering support, a different way of learning and a chance to have fun and get involved in different activities. 

The Projects

Youth and Community Team

- Fully qualified Youth Workers aiming to improve attendance, attainment, behaviour and wellbeing in young people across Blaenau Gwent. Giving young people a voice and providing support and opportunities at every corner.

- Helping young people aged 16-24 in Blaenau Gwent to establish and maintain a placement in further learning, training or employment.

- Teams within the Youth & Community Team include the Open Access team, Health & Well-being Team, Homelessness Team, 16+ Team, School Based Team & EOTAS Provision.

Positive Futures

This project is funded by the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner. It is an intervention put in place to target anti-social behavior in young people. 
The Positive Futures team work on both a group and 1 to 1 basis to help educate young people on issues such as Anti-social Behavior, Substance misuse, Crime and other relevant topics. A multi-agency approach is utilised to provide the young people with the best workshops and support available. 

Rachel Lawrence

Telephone: 01495 355674

Email: Rachel.Lawrence@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Detached youth team

Detached Youth Work allows us to meet and engage with young people on their own territory where they ‘hang out’ in Blaenau Gwent outside of school times.  This could be on the streets, in café’s and parks or at rail and bus stations.

Our aim: 

  • Help young people reach their potential
  • Work as advocates for young people
  • Assist young people with any issues they may be facing
  • Offer advice & support on wider options regarding education, training and employment prospects. 

We also organise a range of fun workshops, activities and events which are free to participate in.

So if you see our teams on the street – stop by and say hello!

Training

Our Youth Service offers a variety of training opportunities and accredited courses for young people, covering a wide range of subjects and levels.

We work in partnership with organisations such as the Y.M.C.A Community College Wales, Youth Cymru and Agored Cymru.

If you or someone you know are interested in participating in our courses, or would just like more information contact: Youth.Service@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk 

Volunteering

“Helping you to help others”

Whether you’d like to gain new experiences that will help you into work or training or you’d just like to make a difference and help in your community; volunteering is a fantastic way to use your spare time.

Volunteering can:

  • Boost your confidence
  • Help you learn new skills
  • Enable you to get a taste for different fields of work
  • Gain valuable experience for your CV
  • Do something rewarding with your spare time
  • Make new friends
  • Get involved with your community

Counselling

The Youth Service co-ordinate three counselling services for children and young people.
  • School based counselling service for 11-16 year olds which can be accessed at every secondary school in Blaenau Gwent
  • Community based counselling for 11-25 year olds
  • Play therapy for 7 -11 year olds

Contact Information

For more information on any of our services, please contact Youth.Service@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk