Youth Works is a local charity working with young people across North Northamptonshire. It works with over 1000 young people every year, most of whom need some support in managing the challenges that life throws at them. Youth Works has been in operation for 12 years, delivering from the William Knibb Centre, Kettering and Corby MIND. 

Youth Works moved into the Keystone building in Kettering over three years ago, supporting the completion of the refurbishment of the centre.  Working with the local community is central to the charity’s work. Youth Works was set up following cuts to the local Youth Service in an attempt to continue to deliver support services and activities to young people in the local area.

Youth Works currently delivers:
•  Youth counselling services across Kettering and Corby
•  Education programmes aimed at young people struggling to stay in mainstream education and young people struggling to find work
•  Holiday clubs and activities and evening youth groups

Years of cuts to services alongside the issues facing Northamptonshire County Council mean that it continues to be a challenge to fund the charity’s work. Youth Works now relies more than ever on local fundraising and the support of its fabulous volunteers to continue to respond to young peoples’ changing needs.

More and more young people are struggling with their mental health. The number of young people who receive counselling through Youth Works has risen from 350 in 2015 to 700 in 2018; specific areas of concern are the rising numbers of young people with anxieties, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

There is also an increasing number of people who are struggling to stay in school. Youth Works’ education programme focuses on providing vocational subject areas and a range of community projects. These include a working hair and beauty salon, café and the Rebike project which trains young people to refurbish/recycle bikes.

HELP NEEDED!
If you are interested in any of the following, please get in touch:
VOLUNTEERING: Do you have a particular skill area (building work, hair and beauty, catering, music and arts, media, etc.) or would you like to gain experience in working with young people?

FUNDRAISING: The LGBTQ youth group and holiday clubs plus some counselling services to young people aged 18–25 rely on fundraising; it costs around £200 to provide six weeks of counselling to a young person.
BOARD MEMBERS: Interested in joining Youth Works’ board?  The team is particularly keen to recruit people with management experience in secondary education, the law and business.

If you can help, please contact Youth Works on  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01536 518339.

To find out more about Youth Works and the services it delivers please visit  www.youthworksnorthamptonshire.org.uk 

Youth Works