Youth Work Week 2023: NYA film highlights positive impact of services
Amrit Virdi
Monday, November 6, 2023
The National Youth Agency (NYA) has created a short film sharing the experiences of young people across the country who have benefitted from the impact of youth work.
The film, titled Youth Work in all places and spaces, has been launched in line with Youth Work Week 2023 and will see further segments released throughout the seven days.
-
The Big Debate: What is the key to improving access to youth work services?
-
Detached youth work engages young people in their own spaces
A number of young people’s stories will be featured, including those supported by youth workers at the Nottingham University Hospitals Youth Service, Switch Up in Nottingham, West Bowling Youth Initiative in Bradford and Strood Youth Centre in Medway. The film shows how youth work improves mental wellbeing, confidence, leadership and engagement with education.
Leigh Middleton, chief executive of the NYA, said: “These young people’s stories really drive home the life-changing impact of youth work. Crucially, it shows the value that youth work brings to wider strategies to improve the mental wellbeing of young people; improve school attendance, reduce youth crime and above all, enable young people to have agency over their own lives, feel heard, valued and supported to participate positively in their communities.”
The film’s release coincides with the NYA’s major research into the link between youth centre closures and increased crime rates.
