Networking / Support
The next Youth Worker Meet Up will be held on Wednesday 28 June, 6 – 7pm, at The Wayz in Bracknell. The main points of discussion will be: summer programme, national conference and programme opportunities, and what Berkshire Youth can do to support you and your club – an open discussion.
Training
Mini Course – intro to Detached Youth Work during COVID-19.
National Youth Agency have over 500 free accredited youth work training places available now (9 February 2023) – please click here.
National Youth Agency – please click here to view current training available through their Continuing Professional Development catalogue.
Resources
British Safety Council – detailed general return to work guidance across all sectors. The framework should enable organisations to develop robust protocols and arrangements, designed to manage the risk of COVID-19 within the workplace.
CAMHS – West Berkshire: If you’re concerned about the mental health of a child or young person, Berkshire CAMHS might be able to help. Visit their website for answers to frequently asked questions and contact details. The CAMHS website also has links to several other websites that might be of use.
Charlie Waller Trust run free live webinars for anyone who looks after children and young people – parents, carers, educators – as well as young people themselves and anyone interested in psychology or mental health.
City Lit – are delivering two courses that vital to those working with young people. Starting soon, the Level 1 certificate in mentoring a young person and the introduction to child and youth mental health.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the phased return of sport and recreation – guidance for the public, providers of outdoor sports facilities, elite athletes, personal trainers and coaches on the phased return of sport and recreation.
Covid: the devastating toll of the pandemic on children.
COVID-19 and Youth Violence – understanding the impact of COVID-19 on our youth.
Detached Youth Work Guidance – this guidance sets out the basics of detached youth work and other non-building based forms of youth work, and locates them in the context of COVID-19.
Digital Youth Work – The Proud Trust have produced a set of documents for organisations to use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Digital Youth Work – UK Youth guide to delivering high quality digital youth work during the COVID-19 crisis.
Edible Cannabinoid Confectionary – Edibles are food products that may contain cannabis. There are many forms of edibles, including sweets, gummies and lollipops. They usually contain, or are marketed as containing, a number of chemicals, many of which are harmful and controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a psychoactive compound in cannabis and can make people feel a range of effects, while cannabidiol (CBD) is the non-psychoactive chemical compound which does not have the same effect. Any CBD product containing THC is illegal in the UK. The sweet version are widely available on the internet and via social media and may be easily accessed by young people. The packaging is often deliberately targeted to attract young people. There is NO quality control on these products.
Emerging Minds – how can we best support children and young people with their worries.
Four Loko – West Berkshire’s Community Alcohol Partnership and Trading Standards Team in the Public Protection Partnership want to raise awareness about a new alcoholic product which may soon be available in our area and whose historical marketing could easily be confused with other non-alcoholic products. American Alcopop is due to release Four Loko in the UK, this has been marketed in the past as a ‘medicinal’ beverage, citing that it contains beneficial minerals and vitamins. It has also been produced in various flavours. We want to alert parents and school staff that this is an alcoholic beverage which comes in a number of strengths (ABV) starting from 6% with some cans being as high as 14%, the average can size has about 750ml. For the super strength version – the contents can be equal to 4 cans average strength beer, or a bottle of wine. Trading Standards Officer are aware and will be checking licensed premises for sales of this products during inspection – however we asking school staff or parents to be on the lookout and if you become aware of an underage persons having had access to this, or, become aware that an underage sale has occurred – please can you alert the team at tsadvice@westberks.gov.uk
Gangs and Exploitation – A youth work response to COVID-19.
Help for Families: A new team within West Berkshire Council for children, young people and families who are facing difficulties and who would like to access some additional services for help. For example: families needing additional support to care for children, or children or young people who are having problems at home, at school or elsewhere. Families can enquire directly, or ask for a member of the Pastoral Team to support them with this. Email helpforfamilies@westberks.gov.uk or phone 01635 503090.
Hot Chocolate Trust – alternative youth work ideas.
Inside Out Young People’s Health and Wellbeing: A Response to COVID-19 – a National Youth Agency publication which explores the impact of the pandemic on young people’s health and the role of young people’s services in support of vulnerable young people, in particular.
Kooth – how COVID-19 is affecting the mental health of children and young people.
Learning Consultancy UK – a guide to explain the actions parents and carers can take to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission as children and young people return to school. Advice on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Managing youth sector activities and spaces during COVID-19 – guidance for the re-opening of youth services and activities. Tools and practical information to support the reopening of youth sector activities across a variety of contexts and settings can be found here.
Mental Health Matters – This nationally recognised qualification is suitable for anyone who wishes to increase their knowledge of mental health problems, the factors that cause mental ill-health and the ways that mental health problems be managed. Gain a nationally recognised qualification – Level 2 Certificate in the Awareness of Mental Health Problems. Register your interest here. Other courses available include Mental Health First Aid; Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health; Understanding Autism.
#MoveWithUsBerkshire Campaign – statistics on the impact of the pandemic show the amazing benefits of physical activity on strengthening the immune system and improving physical and mental wellbeing. If you are an organisation or club in Berkshire upload your sessions to the Activity Finder to make your sessions visible to Berkshire residents.
National Youth Workers Catch Up – from cups of tea and peer discussion to advice and time the National Youth Agency is here to support you.
National Youth Agency – webinars on key topics to support the youth sector.
Newman University – a range of YouTube videos with youth workers about how they have adapted their youth services during lockdown.
NHS Covid-19 App – this has now been launched and is available to download. They have provided QR Code Posters which can be created quickly and for free here.
NSPCC Learning – has produced guidance around Coronavirus: safeguarding and child protection.
NSPCC Learning – resources about writing and updating safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures; making sure your staff are safe and volunteers are safe to work with children; supporting children and families; recognising and responding to abuse; and carrying out online activities and events.
NSPCC Learning – guidance to help recruit safely whilst observing social distancing guidance.
NSPCC Learning – videos re the mental health of children and young people: how mental health can become a safeguarding concern; the impact of abuse and neglect; ways professionals can support children and young people who are experiencing issues with their mental health.
Online Youth Work – safety guidelines.
Our plan to rebuild: The Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy – The government’s roadmap for how and when the UK will adjust its response to the COVID-19 crises has been recently updated.
Outside is Open – a checklist to help you think about what you need to consider before getting going.
Place2Be – free resources to help children and young people explore what it means to Express Yourself
Playing Out – make your street a place to play.
Preventing youth homelessness after COVID-19 – Lessons and opportunities from the crisis – looks at the crisis of inequality and homelessness that young people in England are facing whilst considering the implications and fallout of COVID-19.
Project Closure – essential closure checklist.
Protective measures for out-of-school settings during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak – Department of Education guidance.
Safeguarding young people during the COVID-19 pandemic – a guide for designated leads in voluntary youth organisations.
Safeguarding and Risk Management Hub – a freely accessible online resource providing guidance, support, advice and access to training resources.
SCREENAGERS – guidance for digital youth work.
Sector Finances – update and advice.
Serious Youth Violence Information Booklet – provides information and guidance in respect of serious youth violence tailored to the West Berkshire area.
Skills Builder – universal framework shows how to build essential skills at every stage of life, available free.
Staying Connected – communication update.
Team Sports – Government guidance on how team sports can resume.
‘The State of Child Poverty 20’ – Buttle UK has published a unique insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic inside the homes of some of the most vulnerable families in the UK,
Thinkuknow – an online resource to raise awareness of online child abuse and exploitation.
UK Youth – check out their upcoming events.
UK Youth – need your help. They are working with Young Minds on a piece of research looking at mental health support given to those that work with young people. Click on the link to fill out the survey.
Winston’s Wish Childhood Bereavement Training – current training available to support bereaved children and young people
Working safely during coronavirus – Guidance for people who work in grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities.
Working with Single Parent Families – Dos and Don’ts when supporting young single parents.
Young people in lockdown – a report by The Prince’s Trust and YouGov explores how young people’s anxiety increases as fears for future employment prospects mount.
Young Citizens – free 1 hour CPD certified online training course. This course is an introduction for teachers and other adults working with young people and children to use social action to improve community spaces. For more information and to join the course please email click here.
Youth Sector data standard – The Centre for Youth Impact is part of a group of funders, commissioners and infrastructure bodies who are all supporting a UK-wide initiative. The aim is to build a simple process to gather consistent data, generate shared insight across the youth sector as a whole, and reduce the number of surveys by making more use of this shared source of information. To make this a reality, they need as many organisations to take part. Please fill in the form here it will take 15-20 minutes.
Youth Work Support – advice, guidance, support and tools for youth workers, young people and organisations.
Funding
Blume– up to 16 hours’ free support from experienced Charity Accountants, HR professionals, Fundraisers, Copywriters and Office Administrators to help with the consequences of Coronavirus.
Coronavirus Community Support Fund– aimed at small and medium-sized charities and administered by the National Lottery is open for applications.
Empowering Young People– The NCLF has launched a larger amount of funding (between £10,001 – and £500,000) for projects that work with young people (between the ages of 8-25) that face and overcome challenges that they are presented with. Application deadline: Open
Fat Beehive Foundation– grants are available to small UK registered charities for building websites, digital products and improving digital presence that enables them to carry out their work in a more effective way, resulting in positive social benefit. Application deadline: Open
Get Berkshire Active have a funded opportunity for young people aged 16. Freedom to Choose focuses on emotional intelligence, self-awareness and awareness of others through the development of life skills. Please see attached poster that can be used to promote to young people. If you would like them to deliver this course to a cohort (# 8-12 young people) or refer young people into a mixed cohort please contact Chelsea the programme lead for more information.
NFU Mutual Charitable Trust – grants are available to large charitable groups and organisations for projects that educate young people in rural areas and releive of poverty in rural areas.
Tampon Tax Fund – supports projects in violence against women and girls, young women’s mental health and well-being, and general programmes.
