“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.
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