Youth organisations to pilot impact initiative

London Youth, Foyer Federation and Brathay Trust will act as links between existing youth work networks, both regional and national, and the new Centre for Youth Impact (CYI).

The CYI, led by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, Project Oracle and the Social Research Unit at Dartington, is due to launch as a pilot in November and will be funded by the Cabinet Office.

The aim of the initiative is to develop an evidence base of best practice in youth services and a focal point for service commissioners, providers and youth work academics.

It will also publish a range of resources for youth organisations to make use of.

As early adopters, the three organisations will be responsible for disseminating best practice to their member networks and for supporting organisations less familiar with impact management.

Dimitrios Tourountsis, head of learning at London Youth, is looking forward to working with the CYI.

He said: “Over the past two years all of us across the organisation have been developing our learning and skills to understand the impact of our work.

“Through this process we’ve begun to see where we can make the most difference to young people, and the value that clear evidence of impact will have to sustaining high quality youth work into the future.

“Of course there are challenges, but by working with the CYI we’re determined that London Youth will be able to do more to support our member youth clubs and the wider youth sector to show the value of their work, and so secure additional resources for the future.”

Steve Hillman, director of policy and resources at the Foyer Federation, added: “We are thrilled to be an early adopter organisation for the CYI.

“We hope that this will be the beginning of a step change in our, and our network’s, ability to measure and articulate in a positive and asset-based way.”

The CYI is due to be launched at Creative Collisions, the youth sector’s annual conference, on 6 November.