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News
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Berkshire Community Foundation Case Study
We are delighted to have worked with Berkshire Community Foundation on a new case study showing how we have worked together and the positive impact this has made on the lives on local young people.
29 April 2021
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News from The Wayz
We caught up with Gareth who told us what’s been happening at The Wayz this month.
29 April 2021
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Training Update
The training team are really excited to have recently started two new Leadership Programmes, funded by Greenham Trust.
29 April 2021
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Day in the Life of our Youth Worker, Katie
We asked our fantastic youth worker, Katie, what she does on a typical day.
29 April 2021
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Youth Survey
We are very excited to announce that the results of our youth survey will be shared across Berkshire shortly.
29 April 2021
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Meet the Trustees – Armelle Boisset
This time we meet Armelle Boisset, who has been a Trustee of Berkshire Youth for four years.
29 April 2021
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Please Donate!
From midnight this Sunday friends Sam, Amy and Ben are taking part in the 4/4/24 Challenge to raise vital funds for Berkshire Youth.
29 April 2021
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Exciting Vacancies
Are you looking for an exciting new role? Apply to join our incredible team!
29 April 2021
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Supporter Focus – Cream Design
Berkshire Youth are extremely grateful to all of the local companies who support us.
29 April 2021
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CEO’s Thoughts (April Newsletter)
Welcome to April’s newsletter.
29 April 2021
CEO’s Thoughts (January Newsletter)
28 January 2021
It was great to see the recent Guardian story highlighting the cuts to youth services and support for young people. I am glad that the media have started to support young people and are actively engaging with Berkshire Youth and the national organisations to enable that conversation to be heard.
During one of the worst pandemics, we have seen all too well the huge gaps in support for young people out of school. Through the government’s own data we can track the huge rise in the number of young people being referred to social care. Prior to the pandemic, from 2015 to 2019, one local area in our county reported a 79% increase in referrals. We have also seen reports of 97% cuts in youth service funding, with one unitary authority cutting its youth work budget from £2.26 million in 2012 to £0.12m in 2018/19. A cut of more than £2 million doesn’t just wipe out a couple of posts, but decimates a profession and support structure for young people in both the short term and for many years to come. This puts more pressure on referrals and an already overburdened school and social care system.
We have to look at a balance between intervention by the state and prevention, and are we excited by the Waterside Centre which is on track to open this year. Although the project faces huge funding challenges and restrictions, we will get there. If you would like to donate to this project, please visit our fundraising page on the Good Exchange where Greenham Trust are matching every donation made.
We have also been busy freshening up the website and expanding the West Berkshire Youth Hub to cover all areas of Berkshire. Now called ‘Berkshire Youth Hubs’, we are busy populating the sites with resources and information for young people, parents and supporters. Please take some time to have a look at the new hub here.
We are all looking forward to 2021 and cannot wait for the return of life as we should know it. Keep the faith and thank you all for supporting young people!
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