Many of these positive activities take place in different local settings. These settings often depend on adapting to what is available locally and they may range from dedicated youth centres or buildings for young people, as well as village halls or community centres, through to mobile youth centres or even 'street based' locations that are sometimes described as 'outreach' or 'detached' settings.
Many of the organised activities sessions that are delivered demonstrate an integrated approach,  alongside other services and organisations who work with young people.

Many of our sessions provide important preventative or early intervention organised activities that fall into two categories (see below).  For more information about the activities taking place in your area please contact us using the details below.

Category one

This includes organised targeted activities programmes that are specifically themed and aimed towards identified groups of young people. These are often referred to as 'targeted activities projects' (TAP) or 'targeted work'. Some examples may include:

Working with a group of young people who associate together because they live in the same estate or village, and experience conflict with members of the adult community because they are hanging around the streets or at risk of getting into trouble with the police - an outreach or detached youth worker might use Keyfund to develop a piece of work with them around resolving conflict. This may include creating opportunities to work in partnership by bringing members of the community together, and the police, to gain a better understanding of how each has an impact on the other, and what the local needs of young people may be. Youth work keeps young people safe and promotes community cohesion. 

Working in partnership with a school that has concerns about the behaviour of a small group of young people who are disengaging from mainstream learning and are on the verge of exclusion - a youth worker may deliver an arts based programme built around the groups interests in music, drama or photography, as a way of re-engaging them in learning, whilst at the same time focusing on issues around behaviour and relationships within the school environment. Youth work keeps young people safe and in learning. 

Working with a group of young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) who may want to have somewhere they can meet and relax together on an evening with their friends (both disabled and non-disabled) - a youth worker may meet with the young people and their carers or support workers, and as a partnership, set up an integrated regular session in a local youth centre with support staff in place and a range of positive activities. Youth work keeps young people safe and brings about inclusion.

A youth worker may become aware of a group of young women who are exhibiting risky sexualised behaviour that raises concerns for their health and wellbeing. One or two of them may also be 'not engaged' in education, employment or training' (NEET) - the youth worker may organise a themed event around something that particularly interested that group and use it as a way of introducing discussion and ideas around the issue of sexual health, relationships and behaviours. This may result in organising a small project that brings in specialist partners from health services, and expands knowledge and learning around these issues. The youth worker may use an approach that may be of particular interest (for example dance or drama). A programme of six weekly sessions using artists may be devised to produce a piece of performance art that explores the real difficulties faced by young people as they go through adolescence. This could include an Arts Award. Youth work keeps young people safe by reducing teenage pregnancy and keeping young people in learning.

A local crime and disorder reduction partnership (CDRP) may have identified particular concerns with large numbers of young people congregating in a particular public place, drinking alcohol and exhibiting anti-social behaviour - the youth worker, working in partnership with the other services may (having identified young people's interests), engage with them to organise a local 'Aftershock Festival' that takes place in their 'patch' offering a range of arts based positive activities and live performances celebrating youth culture. As part of the process of planning, health and safety will be looked at, including the importance of an alcohol free event. Youth work keeps young people safe by reducing anti-social behaviour and promoting community cohesion.

Organised targeted activities programmes usually take place and focus on particular groups identified through local needs assessment, because it is recognised and acknowledged that if all young people are to attain good Every Child Matters outcomes, some young people need more help than others.

Category two

This includes organised activities open to all young people, where the theme of the organised activity itself happens to attract those young people with a particular interest in it - for example the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

Some further examples of these might include

• Aftershock mini festivals
• Friday night footy and other sports sessions
• skate jams
• First Aid courses
• Youth Achievement awards
• 4Youth award
• Youth Arts award
• Outdoor Pursuit 4U
• band nights
• talent nights (X Factor style)
• drama clubs

For further information about activities that run in your area please contact us using the details below. For information about volunteering opportunities go to the North Yorkshire Youth website.

Please note - the new youth support service is currently being formed and this page will be updated to reflect the changes in due course.