YOUTH CONNECT

YOUTH CONNECT SOUTH WEST

Covid-19 was a brand new challenge for the team and like the rest of the country, they faced the anxieties and uncertainties about the future and the worry of how they were going to be able to continue to support young people in what was going to be a very vulnerable time for them. All the face to face support stopped, the youth clubs closed, and staff started working from home. They started on plans to text, email, call and use virtual platforms to make sure young people and their families felt supported through this.

Youth Connect SW worked with the local authority to get key worker status. This allowed staff to visit vulnerable young people, offer street-based youth sessions and be out in the community supporting young people and families during the whole of the lockdown period. In Radstock, Youth Connect SW provided mobile phones and tablets, paid for through the Quartet Fund, to young people to make sure they had a way to stay in touch with the world outside of home. Staff supported several young people and their families in Radstock, who were shielding, by delivering food parcels and cooked meals. Young people and families were contacted via text and phone calls throughout lockdown to make sure there was an ongoing offer of support. Virtual youth clubs, using Zoom, started in April which gave the youth work team another way to stay in contact with young people. These sessions have recently been quieter now young people can be outside more, we continue to offer Zoom on a Tuesday. The youth work team have been in Radstock on various days and times delivering detached sessions, these have given a space to check in with young people and make sure they are getting support if needed. Youth Connect SW have run these sessions in line with guidance from the National Youth Agency and PHE. Going forward, Youth Connect will continue to operate following national guidance and common sense. The new normal will be to carry on meetings with individuals and small groups outdoors and on Zoom whilst following safe social distancing measures and continued hygiene. In the meantime, young people in Radstock can expect to continue receiving check-ins from the team, join in activities or catch ups weekly on Zoom, which is now taking place on a Tuesday from 4-5pm. Regular sessions are now taking place every Monday and Wednesday 7-9pm at the outdoor courts by Radstock Church tea rooms. For more information about the Zoom and detached sessions for Radstock, please contact: Katy Roberts: 07530263378 Visit our website www.youthconnectsouthwest.org.uk or look us up on Facebook - Youth Connect SouthWest Instagram - @youthconnectsouthwest