A small youth work charity that has risen to the challenge of the pandemic and continued working with hundreds of young people in Bristol’s most deprived areas has been named as one of the top five youth charities in the country.
Youth Moves, which is based in Knowle West and works across South Bristol’s communities with the highest levels of deprivation, is one of five shortlisted youth organisations in the prestigious UK Youth Awards.
The awards are the Oscars of youth work, and for a relatively small charity like Youth Moves to make the national shortlist in the PwC Inspiring Youth Organisation award category is quite a coup, especially because the organisation concentrates more on working quietly in the community rather than having a high profile.
“We are very proud to be shortlisted for this, particularly alongside some other amazing organisations,” said Youth Moves’ CEO Ali Dale.
“This is testimony to the staff that have worked tirelessly with outstanding commitment and passion for young people and the community during a difficult year for all,” he added.
Youth Moves are based at the Park campus in Knowle West and operate there and in neighbouring Hartcliffe and Withywood, where 78 per cent of the 769 young people who engaged with their services last year live in deprivation communities.
The charity also works with local schools on alternative education support, at Bedminster Down, Merchants Academy and the Bridge Learning Campus. When the pandemic hit, Youth Moves went virtual, with three Zoom youth club nights every week throughout lockdown that hundreds attended.
Youth Moves also specialises in one-to-one support, and 75 young people across South Bristol are regularly being mentored and supported.
“We haven’t always been the best at shouting about what we do, and quietly go about our work, so to be seen on the national stage, feels strange but is great,” added Ali.
“We see ourselves as an authentic organisation grounded in the communities we serve, with staff that have real relationships, and we will remain so. I guess its nice to see this being recognised,” he added.
The head of Youth Delivery at Youth Moves, Denise Clifford, said it was ‘truly an honour’ to be recognised out of the blue for the work they’ve been doing.
“To get to the final five of a national award for inspiring hope in this climate is truly an honour. There are so many organisations across the UK who have worked tirelessly for young people during this pandemic, so we are so proud to get through to this stage,” she said.
“Our team have gone so far above and beyond any expectations and it is the whole of the Youth Moves team who deserve this recognition,” she added.
The UK Youth Awards will be announced on Wednesday evening this week, when Youth Moves will discover if their shortlisting in the top five will result in winning the overall prize.
