A UK Youth report on the state of youth groups outlines the key characteristics that define a successful, young person-centred, high quality and sustainable local youth group.
Drawn from interviews with providers and users of youth clubs and projects, the Local Youth Groups Today report has been put together to help youth groups identify what they need to do to ensure they survive and prosper in a tough funding climate. "The challenges faced by youth groups and local services should not be underestimated," the report states.
It sets out a series of recommendations (see below) aimed at galvanising national policy makers, sector organisations and funders to develop a system-wide response.
However, evidence gathered for the report also shows that youth groups across the country are innovating to overcome problems and provide valuable support to help young people with challenges (see graphic).
Based on the findings, UK Youth has identified five key factors that define a successful youth group.
1. Mapping provision to the social development journey
Modern youth groups use informal learning approaches to complement formal academic learning to provide "a truly rounded education" for young people. UK Youth says this encompasses four main activities of what it calls the social development journey:
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