From Youth Worker to Key Worker
20 Jan, 2021
Despite Covid restrictions, YMCA’s Youth, Play and Community team are responding the best way they can and are continuing to reach out to young people in North Tyneside. Right now, they are doing this in a number of ways:

“Youth workers currently holding or actively training for National Youth Agency (JNC)-recognised qualifications are classified as key/critical workers in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.” – https://www.cypnow.co.uk/

Street Based Interventions

Even on the coldest of days, the Youth and Play team are taking to the streets, maintaining contact with young people who are out and about, regularly coming across young people in need of some level of support.

At present, YMCA are providing help through a limited number of Youth Projects, and have more recently set up 4 support groups allowing up to 15 young people to engage with the youth workers, and one another, in a Covid secure setting.

Online Communication

This week, and in the weeks that follow, Youth and Play workers are communicating with young people digitally. They’re currently working with pupils and teachers in 3 high schools in the borough via video calls, providing one to one support to pupils and teachers and tasking them with ways of sharing the Healthy Habits message during these difficult times.

As well as developing work with a number of other schools in the borough, YMCA have linked up with the Young mayor, Suzie McKenzie, and are now establishing connections with North Tyneside council which will enable the organisation to engage with more young people across North Tyneside.

The roles of the youth and play team have changed in order to be there for young people, to support them and provide a listening ear as well as signposting them to other services if and when required. As an organisation, we are not underestimating the difficulties young people are going through and it is imperative that we continue to listen and learn from them.

Right now, we’re supporting over 300 young people via our outreach and street-based youth services and right now, we need your help.

Please donate here. And help us change the lives of vulnerable young people.

Read more news stories:

Art & Beats: Feeding Community

Art & Beats: Feeding Community

Street art and dance music in the mix for community meals fundraising collaboration. A powerful street art mural, a party with a world-famous secret DJ guest, digital projections, filmmaking and an iconic social club are all part of a unique fundraising collaboration...

read more
Willington Quay Tiempos FC Sponsorship

Willington Quay Tiempos FC Sponsorship

By Summer Thompson. YMCA North Tyneside is excited to announce our sponsorship of the Willington Quay Under 14's Tiempos football squad. This partnership aims to bolster the team’s resources and provide young athletes with enhanced opportunities to develop their...

read more
Celebrating Empowerment: Sponsoring Talia

Celebrating Empowerment: Sponsoring Talia

By Summer Thompson. We are absolutely thrilled to announce our official sponsorship of Talia Sisterson, a remarkably talented player from the Percy Park Panthers Rugby Club. Talia is an incredible athlete who stands as inspiration for young girls everywhere, promoting...

read more
Blew the Emotional Support Dog

Blew the Emotional Support Dog

By Georgia King. Blew is a grey French Bulldog who is owned by the manager of housing at Sir James Knott House, she often brings her in when she is on shift. Blew will normally sit in the office and greet all the visitors of the building and she is often welcomed with...

read more
YMCA Airplay VS RAF Leeming 2024

YMCA Airplay VS RAF Leeming 2024

By Ella Graham. Last year, our Airplay Youth Club took on the challenge of competing against RAF Leeming in a series of fun-filled games and activities. The event was such a hit that the children immediately requested it become an annual tradition! This May, our young...

read more