Published on 14th November 2023

Young person on a skate ramp in Montpellier Gardens

Plans to provide £47k detached youth work have been announced as part of a partnership approach.

The scheme is being coordinated by the council’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) project, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham Borough Homes, and Gloucestershire’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).

Providers are asked to submit their bids by Monday 8 January 2024 for detached youth work services to help potentially vulnerable young people and those ‘at risk’ of becoming involved in, or already involved in, anti-social behaviour.

The service provider will work with all partners to improve outcomes for young people in their own communities or where there is an identified need such as parks, and open and shared public spaces.

Cllr Flo Clucas, member for communities and safety at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: ‘’Place-based youth work engages young people in their own spaces. It can reach those young people who are simply unable to access youth centres or who could be experiencing other life challenging issues. I urge providers to put forward their bids to help mentor local young people, engaging them in an exciting and challenging programme of interactions and opportunities that they need.’’

Angela Gilbert, manager of Cheltenham voluntary and community sector support (VCS), continued: “We know the difference that good youth work support can make to the lives of young people. This is a great opportunity for local organisations to expand their youth work offer and ensure that young people really get the support they need.”

Bids should be submitted via haveyoursay.cheltenham.gov.uk/no-child-left-behind/detached-youth-work-grant, be reflective of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) community agreement and based on key themes of being trauma informed and working together with kindness and empathy.

For media enquiries contact: [email protected] or 01242 264231.

Notes: The youth work will begin in March 2024 and finish in March 2025.

Funding sources include £7k funding from Cheltenham Borough Homes, £10k funding from NHS Gloucestershire and £30k from OPCC via Home Office Safer Streets round 5 funding.