Celebrating Youth Work Week in the Vale of Glamorgan

This week (23–30 June) marks Youth Work Week in Wales, a time to recognise and celebrate the incredible achievements of youth work services and the lasting impact they have on young people.

Here in the Vale we’re proud to celebrate our wonderful Youth Service.

From youth clubs and school-based activities to targeted support projects addressing important issues, our officers provide a range of informal and non-formal opportunities to young people aged 11-25 across the county to support them in achieving their full potential. 

Over the last 12 months, the Vale Youth Service has made significant strides, with increased attendance across provisions in Barry, Rhoose and Llantwit Major, and the successful launch of a new Penarth Youth Club in February 2025. Held at Belle Vue Community Centre, the club has already engaged over 70 young people and is now the highest attended evening club across the service.

The team’s commitment to quality and innovation was recognised this year with the Gold Quality Mark for Youth Work in Wales, an award that reflects the dedication, professionalism, and impact of the service. This follows a strong track record in delivering high-quality provision and supporting positive outcomes for young people, as recognised in Estyn inspections and previous assessments.

Initiatives such as The Vale Youth Council, Her Voice Wales, Rights Ambassadors and Penarth Youth Action have supported 63 young people to become community champions, contributing over 1,800 hours of volunteering. The Her Voice Wales group recently took part in an international exchange to New Zealand, sharing their work and experiences on a global platform!

The service continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of young people, with a wider range of outdoor activities now on offer, including DofE, multi-sports programmes, and an increased detached youth work presence across the Vale. Alongside these, targeted initiatives such as Gloves in the Gym and EmpowerHer provide valuable wellbeing support, helping young people build confidence, resilience, and healthy lifestyles.

A standout example of collaborative working is the Link Hub – a multi-agency initiative designed to support school leavers in developing life skills, building independence, and successfully transitioning into adulthood.

Meanwhile, the Hive Guys Warm Spaces project at Buttrills Community Centre has fostered meaningful inter-generational connections, offering a safe, welcoming space for the wider community. The project went on to be a finalist at the Bro Radio Community Awards Community Group of the Year category.

The service’s referral-based teams have provided vital one-to-one support and group programmes to over 440 young people, focusing on areas such as community wellbeing, budgeting, independent living, and building resilience. These sessions are designed to equip young people with the practical skills and confidence they need for everyday life.

Meanwhile, the Pupil Engagement team has supported young people to achieve personal milestones, including gaining Sports Leaders qualifications through a successful partnership with Cardiff City FC.

As we celebrate their work over the last year we want to give a big thank you to our Youth Service – we look forward  to seeing your work celebrated again at the Annial Youth Celebration Awards in July!