What We Do

About Us

Cardiff Youth Service works with young people aged 11-25 to develop personal, social and educational development through opportunities, activities, experiences, information support and guidance that enable young people to reach their unique full potential. We work with young people in a variety of settings offering a universal offer and targeted intervention.

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About us

Cardiff Youth Service's award-winning Youth Mentoring Programme is an early intervention and prevention project. The programme is delivered to secondary schools and surrounding geographical communities, with delivery in Welsh also available. The project supports a range of young people that are identified as, or at risk of becoming, not engaged in education, employment or training (NEET). Whether young people are school-aged or have left school, they are able to receive this support.

How does it work

The project is directed from Welsh Government policy, where the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework is set out to reduce the number of young people aged 11-25 who are NEET. This is achieved through local authorities, education providers and national partners working closely together to early identify young people at risk of becoming NEET through the Vulnerability Assessment Profile (VAP). Brokering support and working towards a succesful destination are the main aims of the project. The Youth Service also has a critical role to play in providing lead workers for young people who are most at risk of disengaging, as well as gaining intelligence about young people to support tracking. For more information on this strategy, click here.

Youth Mentors are placed within schools and other educational provisions, where they work with professionals to help identify young people through the VAP process. 1-1 support based on the young person's wellbeing, attainment and attendance is then subsequently provided. The school, the young person, or other professionals, refer the young person by completing a referral form. For more information about this click here.

Once a referral is complete and approved, the Youth Mentor will begin their journey with a young person based on a voluntary relationship. Through a STAR assessment, the Mentor will work with the young person to help identify their needs and create an action plan. This plan seeks to progress the young person through a series of steps tackling barriers to engagement. The young person will recieve weekly support in a setting that works best for them, which can include their home, school or in the community. The 1-1 support will continue until either the young person is ready to progress back into school, they have made improvements in their lives, or they have progressed into Employment, Education or Training.

Who we work with

To ensure positive outcomes for young people, we work with a range of partners and stakeholders. These include: young people's families, schools, Careers Wales, other educational providers, Emotional Wellbeing Service, Children's Services, employment services, Community groups, Youth Clubs and third sector organisations.

My son struggled for many years with anxiety depression and ocd, it got that bad that it was a struggle to get him to school. Without the help and support received from his Youth Mentor, over the last few years he wouldn’t have got an education! Even after recently leaving school, the Mentor has been a massive support not just to my eldest son too. I can’t thank him enough for going above and beyond for both my son’s, without his kindness, patience and understanding my son wouldn’t be the hard working driven boy he is now! Thank you! (Parent)

Funders

To ensure the service remains on offer to young people in the city, the project draws on a range of funding. These include: Welsh European Social Fund, European Social Fund, Cardiff Council and Families First.

Why Youth Mentoring?

Our person-centred approach and working in a solution-focused way helps young people:

Recognise their individual skills and abilities
Overcome factors or issues stopping them from achieving their potential
Navigate their education, employment or training options
Identify suitable education or training courses
Access the right services they need
Gain a provided, positive relationship
Receive the time and dedicated attention they deserve
Find appropriate opportunities
Improve their resilience
Develop their individual wellbeing, attainment and attendance

‘ I just wanted to say charl thank you for everything you’ve done for me honestly I mean it from the bottom of my heart you’ve done a lot for me over the short amount of the time, you really helped me to develop and mature and forget the old life I was living. Thank you so much thanks for being there for me during high school I’m very thankful’ (Young Person)

About us

Inclusive provisions were formed for young people who do not feel comfortable in an open access youth club. Inclusive provisions provide young people a safe space where they can relax, have fun, learn and socialise with other young people who they can relate to, have things and experiences in common, feel comfortable with and feel confident and relaxed with. Open access youth clubs welcome all young people, and they support inclusive clubs by signposting young people to these provisions only if they feel it is appropriate and more beneficial for the young member to attend an inclusive club.

Deaf Cool Youth Club

Cardiff Deaf Cool Youth Club has been running since 2009 at Deaf Hub Wales based on 163 Newport Road, Roath, Cardiff CF24 1AG. This is a partnership between Cardiff Youth Service and Deaf Hub Wales.

'The Deaf Youth Club is important as many deaf youth would stay home lonely. We learn how to make friends, how to engage, confidence is developed through communication using British Sign Language. If you get upset there is someone there to advise you who has been there before.. You go home and you feel better. Seeing other deaf people gives confidence' (Young Person)

The Deaf Cool Youth Club provides a safe space for deaf and hard of hearing young people, aged 11 to 25, to meet and socialise. This club is led by Stuart Parkinson, Youth Worker in charge, and supported by a volunteer Fosia Ibrahim. Both Stuart and Fosia are deaf themselves, and their first language is British Sign Language. The team are also supported by dedicated BSL/English interpreters.

The youth club has a strong focus on promoting 'Deaf Identity' and wellbeing. A number of activities have taken place including drumming, lantern making, cooking, pumpkin carving, word storm on a canvas and t-shirt dyeing. The youth club also delivers the Youth Achievement Award in partnership with Youth Cymru.

Youth Club members make decisions about the content of the Youth Club programme as part of the ongoing empowerment process. We encourage youth members to have a 'voice' by getting involved in the Deaf Hub Wales Service Users Zoom consultation, and also the Council's Equality Team as part of the British Deaf Association's BSL Charter, whom the Council has signed a pledge.

Young Care Leavers Youth Club

The Young Care Leavers Youth club is open to any young people, aged 11 to 25, who have experience of living in care. This club provides a safe space for young people currently living in care, as well as those who are care leavers, to support one another, share experiences and discuss common issues. The club operates from 5:15 to 8:15 on a Friday evening at the Gabalfa Community Centre. Transport is also provided to and from a central pick up/drop off point in the city centre.

We have only been up and running for a short time before the lockdown last March, but since then we have been running online sessions with lots of interesting discussions and exciting craft activities. Led by David Baker, the staff team are friendly, approachable and supportive.

A normal week would include some interactive games, pool, table tennis, console games, cooking new recipes and trying them out, chat, fun and social. We also offer lots of support for getting into work, relationships and health and wellbeing. In addition, we also have a computer suite for working online. The future will bring many outdoor activities and challenges, as well as offering accredited awards such as The DofE Award.

Trelai Inclusive Youth Club

The Trelai Inclusive Youth Club provides a safe and supportive environment for young people with a disability to come together and have fun. The main focus is positive interaction and participation in activities. The club is open to all.

'Youth Club means a lot to me because we all get to leave the house and come together to make friends that have similar issues at home, I've mostly enjoyed when we all participate in physical activity' (Young Person)

This club is run by Jessica Rose, and operates from 6:30 to 8:30pm on a Wednesday evening. This club has recently re-located to North Ely Youth Club, and is looking forward to using the new facilities offered at the centre including pool tables, a small theatre, a full catering kitchen and a fully stocked art room. The sports provision will also be available in the future. We will keep you posted on any updates.

The club is looking to build on its existing membership and welcomes new members to join the group.

Cathays Inclusive Youth Club

Cathays Inclusive Youth Club is delivered by Cardiff Youth Service out of Cathays Community Centre, and is open to all young people aged 11-25, including those with learning difficulties.

This club is run by Jim Price and operates from 6:30 to 8:30pm on a Friday evening.

The centre's facilities include pool, arts and crafts, a large sports room and two music studios. Activities include socialising with friends, interactive games, and life skills activities such as shopping on a budget, cooking and serving food. The staff team also deliver a young leaders and volunteers programme, and there is a young person lead fundraising committee.

The club's programme offers activities that encourage participation and personal development. The overall aim is to enhance and enrich young people’s lives to allow them to become active members of their communities.

Cardiff and Vale Young Carers Youth Club

The Young Carers Youth Club is a well-established youth club for young people, aged 11-25, who have a caring responsibility at home. The club offers rest bite care for young people and an opportunity to meet, socialise and participate in fun and exciting activities with young people with similar experiences.

'The club was there for me through my highest and lowest points. I knew I could always speak to the staff about my problems and in hand have the support needed for me. The club helped me take my mind off things at home and gave me the normal feeling of teenage life. I got to have some amazing opportunities like RYLA and DofE. The trips were always amazing for restbite and I made some amazing friends. I will cherish my memories from the young carers club and hope it does the same for others as it's done for me' (Young Person)

Led by Jim Price, this youth club is supported by The Rotary Club of Cardiff East. The Rotary Club kindly provide additional funding, training opportunities and two extremely dedicated volunteers, who make up a supportive and caring staff team. The club operates from 10:30am to 12:30pm every Saturday at Butetown Pavilion Youth Centre.

Every session is filled with activities that fully engage the young people. These include: dodgeball, arts and crafts, health and wellbeing, cooking, summer trips, Storey Arms residential visits and socials. The group also participate in the DofE Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.

The club prides itself on a young person led programme with a committee of elected senior members.

Impact

The Impact Club is for young people who identify themselves as LGBTQ+. This provision takes place every Tuesday 5:30-8pm @ Cathays Community Centre.

These are open access provisions, meaning you can just show up. If you'd like to have a chat before coming, please get in touch through either social media, phone or by email. Details can be found below:

About us

Grassroots is the city centre youth project for young people aged 16-25. Based on Charles Street for over 40 years we offer a range of services to young people including Information, Support and Guidance for young people many of whom are often in crisis. We often act as advocates for young people with other services, ensuring that they receive their entitlements as citizens.

Activities:

music recording,
creative sessions,
life-skills,
parenting support

We work with a range of key partners including Housing & Homeless services; Health & Mental Health; Into Work Services; DWP; Leaving Care; Flying Start and partners in the criminal justice system. We are also ideally placed to signpost and refer young people onto other organisations and services where appropriate.

If it wasn’t for the staff at grassroots I wouldn’t know where I would be today they have helped me a lot in the 9 years I have been going there and couldn’t thank them enough for all the support they have given my little ones and myself they are the most loyal and amazing professional staff around, they do everything in their power to make you fulfill your dreams and set you in the right direction like I said dunno where I would be without grassroots’ (Young Person)

Baby Roots

The group is for young parents 16-25 years which runs weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 12:30 to 14:30. (Due to COVID we are unable to run the group indoors, so we are meeting in the Castle ground on the same day and the same time every week)

Aspie Roots

The group is for young people with Asperger’s 14-25 years and runs on a Thursday evening 16:30 to 19:30 term time. (Due to COVID we are unable to run the group indoors, so we are meeting at an earlier time of 16:00 to 18:00 in the Castle grounds on the same day)

Aspie Roots remains the only place I have been where all the other people are like me and was the only place other than home where what control I did have wasn’t taken away from me. My point is, I was allowed to be me. Nobody lives in the shadow of anyone else at Aspie Roots and, as cliché as it sounds, everyone is equal (Young Person)

Opening times

Monday 10.00am – 4.00pm

Tuesday 10.00am – 4.00pm Baby Roots 12.30pm – 2.30pm

Wednesday 10.00am – 4.00pm

Thursday 12.00pm – 4.00pm Aspie Roots 4.30pm – 7.30pm

Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm

This is an open access provision, you can just show up. if you'd like to have a chat before coming, please get in touch on social media, phone or email details can be found below

The Duke of Edinburgh Award will be re-launched across the city in January 2021, with young people being able to participate in the Bronze and Silver Awards at specialist provisions and their local Youth Centre. Keep an eye out for how you can get involved.

Youth Centres

A place to go.

We have many youth centres all over Cardiff. We can help you find the right one for you where you feel safe to have fun and hang out with your friends, and make new ones.

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