This Youth Work Week 2025, we’re proud to celebrate the life-changing impact of youth work across the UK.
This year’s theme: Building Brighter Futures: Safe places, trusted support, and opportunities to thrive, highlights the vital role youth work plays in helping young people feel secure, supported and empowered to reach their full potential. A very apt theme for us this year as we gear up to open the most incredible space at 224 Youth Zone.
At Youth Moves, these principles already sit at the heart of everything we do and we can’t wait to expand our impact at 224. Through creative workshops, wellbeing programmes and digital media sessions, we create safe, inclusive spaces where young people can explore who they are, develop new skills, and discover the passions that will shape their futures.
This week, we want to say a huge thank you to our incredible youth workers. Their dedication, compassion and commitment make all this possible. Throughout Youth Work Week, we’ll be sharing letters from young people expressing their gratitude, and we’ll be shining a spotlight on members of our team, highlighting the exceptional work they do every day to support and inspire young people.
Expanding Opportunities Through Creativity
Over the past year, our team has created meaningful opportunities for young people to try new things, grow their confidence and step into spaces that excite and inspire them.
Through our workshops with Into Film, young people took part in film-making workshops where they explored storyboarding, directing and production. Many discovered new interests, and realised that careers in film, media and storytelling are genuinely within reach.
Working with Aardman Studios, we brought animation workshops to life. Participants learned character design and animation techniques from industry professionals to support young people to develop a mural that will be proudly displayed at 224 Youth Zone. These experiences not only introduce new skills and hobbies but also open pathways into the creative industries.
Building Skills, Confidence and Community
As part of our wellbeing programme, young people took part in cooking workshops where they developed independence, explored global cuisines, and built valuable life skills. These sessions paved the way for workshops delivered with 91 Ways, including a special class led by Chef Ben Harvey of Bristol’s renowned Bianchi’s restaurant, an unforgettable experience that connected young people through food, culture and learning.
Our collaboration with The Cause delivered creative media sessions where young people produced podcasts, videos and photography projects. For many, it was their first time using professional audio and camera equipment. They gained technical knowledge, but perhaps more importantly, they discovered confidence in their own voice and creative potential.
We also delivered a powerful video project with Hartcliffe Club for Young People, where young people created a community-safety film. Working with peers from another youth club, they developed filming, editing, teamwork and project-management skills. The final film was more than just a project, it was a testament to their ability to influence change in their community and a stepping stone into creative and civic engagement.
Looking Ahead: 224 Youth Zone
What makes youth work transformative isn’t just the activities, it’s the opportunities, the guidance, and the sense of belonging it creates. By offering new experiences and spaces where young people feel empowered and supported, we help them uncover passions that can shape their futures.
As we look ahead to the opening of 224 Youth Zone, we’re excited to expand these opportunities even further. With new specialist spaces, innovative programmes and strong partnerships, we’ll continue empowering young people across South Bristol to explore their potential and build the pathways to where it can take them. From a maker space to a boardroom, from sports facilities to a media suite, there will be no limits to what young people can achieve.
If you are an individual, business or organisation interested in supporting our work, we would love to hear from you. Together, we can continue building brighter futures for young people across our community.
Get in touch today to find out how you can support us!
info@youthmoves224.org