Practical Youth Work

Practical youth work activities are the heart of this youth group. These include:

• Short-term activities which require little planning and are a great way to encourage social interaction, such as games, arts and crafts.
• Longer term activities, projects and events which require more advance planning such as workshops (for example dancing, sports), trips, discos/music events, youth exchanges, and inter-club visits.

New volunteers bring with them their own skills and interests.  They may be able to add to the range of activities run in the youth group, and should be encouraged to do so.
Usually young people will be involved in deciding and planning the activities programme.
Examples of youth work activities include:

• Arts and crafts – themed arts, cards and gifts, graffiti art, face painting, glass painting, hair braiding, mobiles, puppets, printing.
• The arts – drama, music, video, dance.
• Games – team games, non-competitive games, group games, team-building games, puzzles and quizzes.
• Sports – traditional sports, unusual sports, competitions.
• Cooking – pizza-making, pancakes, cake decorating, non-alcoholic cocktails.
• Issue based activities – drugs and alcohol, sex and sexuality, anti-racism, anti-bullying, environmental, global citizenship.

Volunteers can add to the activities programme from their own skills and interests. As part of our induction process we will discuss with you any skills and interests, and any contributions that you can make to the activities programme.