Networks DYCC

04/06/2026

We are on the lookout for some carpet 🙏

The Networks team is busy creating a quiet room at Dorchester Youth & Community Centre to give the young people we support a space that feels safe, comfortable, and welcoming. It will be used for one-to-one mentoring, small group sessions, and support work with young people who need somewhere calm to talk, reflect, and be heard.
To help us finish the room, we're looking for any spare carpet. If you have some left over from a project, or know someone who might be able to help, we'd love to hear from you. The size of the room is approx 5 metres x 3.5 metres

Thank you for helping us create a space where young people can feel supported and valued. ❤️

22/05/2026

✨ It’s been another busy few weeks in our Networks project supporting local NEET young people! ✨

Over the past few weeks we’ve been:
📚 Providing tutoring support
💼 Helping prepare for a job interview
🤝 Enabling volunteering opportunities
🧁 Enjoying some delicious baking sessions
🚶‍♀️ Walking, talking and building confidence
🗣️ Attending meetings to advocate for our young people

It’s so encouraging to see the progress our young people are making — no matter how small each step may seem. Every achievement matters and we’re proud to be part of their journey 💙

02/05/2026

A quiet walk, a simple bridge, and a moment to take it all in.

This time last year looked very different. Today, I’m walking alongside a young person who has gone from feeling stuck and uncertain to stepping into education, holding down a part-time job, and showing up every day as a genuinely brilliant human.

No shortcuts, no overnight changes just persistence, courage, and a lot of hard work.

Sometimes progress doesn’t shout. It looks like small steps, taken consistently, until one day you realise just how far you’ve come.

Proud doesn’t even cover it. 🌿

27/04/2026

Last week at Networks was a busy one and we loved every minute of it! 💛

We welcomed some amazing new young people who we’re excited to support 🤝, got stuck into a bit of gardening 🌱, enjoyed some beautiful dog therapy 🐶, tackled a little maths 🧠, played games 🎲, and made the most of being outdoors in the fresh air ☀️

It’s these small, meaningful moments that make a big difference — helping support young people not in education, employment or training to build confidence and start thinking about what’s next for them 🌟

27/03/2026

We’ve had such a lovely term with the young people in our Networks project.

We’ve walked dogs, tried out local cafés, baked, created CVs, applied for jobs, started volunteering, enjoyed beach walks, made new friends, and tackled barriers to education together.

It’s been a real joy supporting these young people through their ups and downs and celebrating every win along the way.

Here’s to a bright and hopefully sunny summer term ahead. 🌞

10/03/2026

Sometimes the best support happens outside.
This morning we went for a short walk with one of our young people before school. The fresh air and time to talk helped them clear their head, regulate their emotions, and feel ready to face the day.
Small moments like this can make a big difference. 🌿

15/02/2026

Volunteer Tutors Needed – Just 1 Hour a Week

We’re looking for volunteer tutors to support young people who are NEET with Level 1 & 2 Maths and English Functional Skills.

Tutoring will take place face-to-face at Dorchester Youth and Community Centre, usually for around one hour a week.

Some of our young people are ready to move into employment or further training, but a lack of key qualifications is holding them back. Your support could help them gain the credentials — and confidence — they need to take that next step.

You don’t need to be a qualified teacher, but experience of supporting young people is desirable. Patience, encouragement and a calm approach are key — helping build confidence as well as qualifications. DBS checks will be carried out.

If you’re interested or would like more information, please message us or email [email protected]. One hour a week could help change a young person’s future.

14/02/2026

It was also great to meet Two Little Birds - The Riley and Trey Foundation and hear all about their amazing work 🥰

Having a great morning at Dorchester Library’s event supporting Children’s Mental Health Week.
Lots of young people have taken on the RushHour game challenge!

16/01/2026

Today has been all about the animals 🐴🐕
We accompanied one young person on a visit to Riverside Therapy Ponies to meet the miniature Shetland ponies, learn about equine work and how the ponies support and work with children and the elderly. We took another young person for a dog walk along the river followed by a hot chocolate at the_crafty_cuppa☕ — a great opportunity to chat, reflect, and build confidence in a relaxed setting.

09/01/2026

Dorchester Youth and Community Centre is part of the Local Community Fund. To support our fund and enable us to deliver the project outlined below, please click here: https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/100359

Dorchester Youth and Community Centre aims to improve young lives by offering targeted support that boosts wellbeing, personal growth and educational engagement. Persistent school absence among 11–16-year-olds is a rising concern, often linked to anxiety, low self-esteem, bullying or family challenges. These young people risk falling behind academically and socially. Our project proposes a dedicated Youth Worker who will support students referred by schools when attendance falls below 85%. Through weekly one-to-one or group sessions delivered in schools, we would like to build resilience, motivation and self-worth. The service would be free to schools, and impact will be measured through attendance data and feedback.