The theme for Youth Work Week 2006 has been announced as "Hold Your Head Up" - mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Taking place from 1-7 November 2006, it will give youth work organisations the chance to promote and celebrate the role they play in the lives of young people.
Tom Wylie, chief executive of The NYA, said: "Youth work makes a big contribution to helping young people feel good about themselves. Whether it is simply through the fun and friendship offered at a youth club or a therapeutic intervention from a youth counselling service, the support young people gain through contact with youth workers can help them face the difficulties of the transitions to adulthood."
This year's theme has been welcomed by The NYA's partner body Youth Access, the national membership organisation for young people's information, advice, counselling and support services. Director Barbara Rayment said: "We're excited about the possibilities here for improving the profile of the work we do."
She continued: "As well as showing more young people what's available, the week will be a good opportunity to make links with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Our research shows that too many CAMHS are either under-utilising, or are simply not aware of the excellent preventive and early intervention resource formed by youth services - and information, advice and counselling services in particular."
Youth Work Week, now a regular fixture in the calendar, has no registration process; youth work organisations are simply invited to use the week however they see fit. Some concentrate on creating exciting programme ideas for young people, while others concentrate on influencing elected members, parents and other key stakeholders through special events, exhibitions and media promotion.
The NYA will produce a web-based information pack by the end of June and will be promoting involvement in the week through its publications and networks.
The Agency will also collect and disseminate information about events for the week and will be exploring opportunities for wider involvement through events and further publications.
