CEO’s Thoughts (May Newsletter)

30 May 2022

Welcome to our May newsletter! It’s been another busy month here at Berkshire Youth.

We were delighted to co-host, alongside Mind in Berkshire, the first “Youth in Mind” conference, held at The Globe in Reading. It was a really great day, with over 200 delegates in attendance. To have a conversation about the future for young people is refreshing, with so many organisations coming together to hear what young people had to say was just amazing. Berkshire Youth is committed to finding even greater networks to support young people and provide that community input they are all asking for. The big take-away for me was that young people were asking to be heard, but above all they were looking for kindness. Who cannot be moved by that comment?! We all expect challenge, but let’s all try to listen and hear what young people are saying. Let’s provide the support before it is an intervention. I heard lots of positive commitment at this first Berkshire Mind conference, which is just so very exciting; and add this to Berkshire Youth being named as Youth Mental Health Champions of the Year by Global Health and Pharma, what a great way to start the conversation!

Youth work is so rewarding, so I would like to draw your attention to the vacancies we currently have available on our website. If you know someone who would like to make a real difference to local young people’s lives, and who is looking for their next challenge, then please pass this information on to them. We also have some brilliant volunteering opportunities available. We will be celebrating our wonderful volunteers during Volunteers’ Week from 1 June.

I would also like to say a HUGE thank you once again to Jasmine, Ellie and Maddie for completing their Snowdonia trek to raise funds for us. Read more here. I think what Jasmine has achieved is fantastic. We have followed her journey through training to the completion of her trek. Well done, Jasmine, and thank you to you and all of your great supporters!

I hope that everyone enjoys the long Bank Holiday for the Queen’s Jubilee. Young people from our centres have signed up to half term activities and will be sharing in the celebration events across the local areas and neighbourhoods.

Until next time!