Oxfordshire Youth

February half term begins today so that means the start of our digital futures Workshop. Young people are learning new digital skills to create social impact projects that can benefit their communities. We are excited to see the results at the end of the week so keep your eyes peeled. If you were involved in creating a social impact project, what social cause would you choose? Empowering young people’s digital futures with Insight and Intel. Intel Business Insight

We are feeling the love here at Oxfordshire Youth. ❤️ This is the lovely Julie from ANDREWS PROPERTY GROUP LIMITED, they're spreading the love for youth work this Valentine's Day, but it's not limited to a single day. 📣 These awesome human beings support YPSA every single day! 📣 That's true love and devotion to youth work. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💝🤎🖤🤍

It's Valentine's Day!❤️ Here at Oxfordshire Youth we have thought about who our special love is this February 14th collectively we decided that.... Youth Work is our Valentine's this year!📣 We love all Youth workers! ❤️ Spread the love with us, Give your favourite youth workers a shoutout in the comments below!📣

Did you know that six members of our staff are engaged in apprenticeships? From Youth work to management, we want our staff to continue their learning and development to help them excel personally and professionally. It is one of the many benefits of working at Oxfordshire Youth. Discover sue Hill's Level 5 apprenticeship journey by listening back to her interview with Adam Ball on BBC Radio Oxford.

We're excited about our upcoming Young Leaders course. If you are between 14 and 21, becoming a Young Leader gives you experience, confidence, and a level 2 qualification. Be like Taz and experience activities like rock climbing and orienteering that put you out of your comfort zone whilst boosting your CV! Cost: Changemakers —£350 Non– Changemakers—£650 The programme consists of: Welcome Sessions: Thursday 1st & 8th May 2025 6.30 –8.30 p.m. Residential: Friday 16th —Sunday 18th May 2025 at Scout Adventures Youlbury, Boars Hill, Oxford, OX1 5HD Study Session: Sunday 8th June 2025 —10.00—3.30 p.m. To find out more, contact our Youth Work Training & Skills Manager Hayley Reynolds at Oxfordshire Youth at hayley.reynolds@oxfordshireyouth.org

Self kindness can be very daunting to start with but it doesn't have to be! Here are a few starting points for you, remember the point of self kindness is it's yours! Your pace, Your emotions, Your journey. - Forgive yourself, You're still learning. - I have things to work on, but I'm worth the work! - Things didn't go to plan, That's okay you did your best to navigate it. - I made a mistake, but I'm not a mistake . - I might not be there yet, but that doesn't mean I wont get there. Be kind to yourself ❤️

We're so excited for our first digital futures Workshop that starts next week in February Half-Term. Young people aged 13-18 are invited to participate in this transformative programme, where they will learn digital skills to create social impact projects that can benefit their communities. We also have another workshop in the first week of the Easter Half-Term that you can join in with. Have you signed up yet? Secure your place for a week full of fun, creativity, and new skills. https://ow.ly/pTEO50UVEvF

Trigger warning ⚠️ This post will discuss sexual abuse, r*pe, domestic abuse, and harassment. If this may trigger you, please feel free to click on another one of our posts. ❤️ We can all help survivors feel supported. This Sexual Abuse & Sexual Violence Awareness Week, we wanted to share about an organisation that is a great example of the importance of creating safe spaces. Survivor Space Oxfordshire is a feminist organisation committed to supporting survivors of sexual abuse, rape, domestic abuse, and harassment. They offer a free and confidential service to survivors who are dealing with the effects of sexual violence, and to anyone who is supporting them. Please note they are not a SARC and they do not perform forensic medical examinations. It is important that we all, especially youth work practitioners, learn how to better listen to survivors. Here are some examples that Survivor Space Oxfordshire has shared to help us all improve: 🥹 Believe people. People rarely lie about rape or sexual abuse. This is perhaps the most helpful way to help; don’t underestimate how valuable it is. 👂Listen to what they have to say, and don’t pressure them into saying more than they are comfortable with. 🎛️ Let the survivor stay in control. 🗣️ Remember that it is not the survivor’s fault. No one asks or deserves to be abused, and you can’t blame someone for failing to prevent their own abuse. 🙅 Don’t judge the way they are reacting to what happened. There is no ‘correct’ way to feel or behave as a result of sexual violence. 🕘 Be patient. It can take a long time to recover from sexual violence, and survivors often have periods when they feel better, followed by periods when they feel worse again. Survivor Space Oxfordshire does incredible work, supporting many young people across the county. Discover more about them today! https://ow.ly/CPMi50UVBZI

It's time to talk! 📢 Every day we are surrounded by people with unique experiences. The world has become so disconnected. It feels more daunting to reach out for support from your community but it shouldn't! We should seek out advice from those with lived experiences and unique perspectives. Under 25-year-olds we want to open the floor to you to ask questions about life, struggles, relationships, and coping skills and hear from someone who has lived those years and survived to tell the tale! Over 25-year-olds use this space to share some of your tips, hacks, and support for making life more manageable!

Something new has begun for our YWAG project. Escape the Trap! Awareness Matters This programme has been developed to tackle teenage relationship abuse in acknowledgment of the rising numbers of young people identified as being vulnerable to intimate relationship abuse. and we are glad to be delivering this over the Cherwell area. We have just started delivery in one school so far - and we're excited to see the young people better their understanding of healthy and unhealthy relationships. If you'd like to hear more about the project or have any questions, please reach out by emailing ywagcherwell.referrals@oxfordshireyouth.org! https://ow.ly/MPrk50UTnpB