Introduction to Youth Work Essentials

A practical one-day introduction to working and volunteering with young people

Saturday 28th November 2026
Arrival and registration: 9.30am
Training: 10.00am – 4.30pm
Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre

Funded by Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Partnership
Delivered by Youth Action Wiltshire (Community First)

Places are limited to 30 participants – maximum 2 places per organisation.

Thinking about volunteering or working with young people?

Perhaps you've recently started volunteering in a youth club, are thinking about getting involved, or already support young people but would like more knowledge, practical skills and confidence.

Introduction to Youth Work Essentials is an interactive training day designed to give you a strong foundation in some of the key areas of youth work.

The day is particularly suitable for people who:

• are considering volunteering with a youth club or working in the youth sector
• have recently started volunteering with young people
• are helping to establish or develop a local youth provision in your area
• already volunteer but have had little formal youth work training
• want to build your understanding, confidence and practical skills
• are considering progressing into a Youth Leader role or further youth work training.

What will we cover?

Everyone attending will take part in six focused workshops:

1. Introduction to Youth Work
   What youth work is, its purpose and values, the role of volunteers and what young people need from trusted adults.
2. Behaviour & Group Management
   Building positive relationships, setting expectations and boundaries, understanding group dynamics and responding positively to challenging situations.
3. Communication Skills for Youth Workers
   Active listening, asking effective questions, building trust, communicating confidently and giving young people a voice.
4. Safeguarding & Child Protection
   Recognising concerns, responding to disclosures, recording and reporting concerns and understanding your responsibilities.
5. Health & Safety in Youth Settings
   Risk assessment, safe activities, supervision, accident reporting and helping to create safe environments for young people and volunteers.
6. Youth Work Values, Ethics & Inclusion
   Respect, equality and inclusion, professional boundaries, confidentiality and creating welcoming environments for all young people.

And it's not just classroom learning!

Alongside the workshops, everyone will take part in three practical youth work activity sessions.

You'll get involved in games, icebreakers, energisers, team activities and other practical ideas that you can take back and use in a youth club or youth setting.

We'll explore:

• getting young people engaged
• starting a session well
• inclusive games and activities
• adapting activities for different ages and abilities
• low-cost activity ideas
• building confidence and participation
• structuring a youth club session
• keeping momentum and bringing sessions to a positive close.

The aim is for you to leave not only with greater knowledge and confidence, but with a bank of practical activities and ideas you can start using with young people.

What's included?

Your funded place includes:

• a full day of training and practical activities
• refreshments
• buffet lunch
• practical resources and ideas to take away
• certificate of attendance
• information about further training and support available through Youth Action Wiltshire and Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Partnership.

Book your place

Places are fully funded by Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Partnership and are limited to 30 participants, with a maximum of two places per organisation.

Early booking is recommended.

Please only book if you intend to attend the full day. If you subsequently find that you cannot attend, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can offer your place to somebody else.

Cancellation policy: As places are funded and numbers are limited, cancellations made less than seven days before the training date, or non-attendance on the day, will incur a cancellation charge. Substitutions from the same organisation are welcome.

Delivered by Youth Action Wiltshire – Community First

Funded by Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Partnership