Somerset Youth Alliance

29/10/2026

🔎 New opportunities on the Somerset Insights Hub Noticeboard

Want to help shape research that could make a difference across Somerset and beyond? There are several ways to get involved and share your experiences:

🤖 Women, AI and Work
Researchers are exploring how AI is affecting women's working lives in Somerset and Devon. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, sceptic or simply curious, your views matter.

🎖️ Veteran Connection Programme
Help shape support for veterans and service-leavers. VCSE organisations that assist with recruitment can receive £250.

💙 End-of-Life Care Research
The University of Plymouth wants to hear from patients, families, professionals and voluntary organisations about experiences of end-of-life care in rural and coastal communities, including Somerset.

👉 Explore all opportunities on the Somerset Insights Hub Noticeboard: https://somersetinsightshub.org.uk/knowledge-library/engagement-opportunities/

27/10/2026

📣 Limited spaces left!

Join us for the Somerset Youth Alliance Youth Work Week Conference on 3 November at Taunton Racecourse.

Expect inspiring conversations, fresh ideas and plenty to take away, including a Youth Panel, Youth Professionals Panel, keynote from Antonia Dixey, workshops and our Futures Marketplace.

Celebrating Youth Work Week and this year’s theme, Where Futures Begin.

🎟️ Missed out on a place? Join the waitlist for the chance to book a last-minute space! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerset-youth-alliance-youth-work-week-conference-tickets-1995077163502?aff=oddtdtcreator


Participation People Spark Somerset Minehead Eye Young Somerset In The Mix Project 2BU Somerset Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership - SASP PROMISEworks YMCA Brunel Group Somerset Youth Alliance Youth Work Week Conference

Where Futures Begin: A day to connect, celebrate youth work and strengthen our shared future across Somerset.

14/10/2026

What would Somerset’s youth sector look like on a without the principles at the heart of youth work?

Yesterday, we brought together professionals from across Somerset for our bespoke Youth Work Principles training, delivered by Turtle CYP at Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil.

Together, we explored what youth work looks like in practice, how the five key principles shape our work, and the importance of building positive relationships with young people.

Through practical activities, shared experiences and plenty of good conversations, attendees reflected on their existing practice, explored new approaches and connected with others working with young people across Somerset.

And the feedback? “Many, many good conversations and NO death by PowerPoint!” 🙌

Because strong youth work is about more than activities. It’s about creating safe spaces, listening to young people and making sure their voices are heard.

A huge thank you to Turtle CYP for delivering the session, and to everyone who joined us and shared their knowledge and experience.

So, what would Somerset’s youth sector miss on a ? The relationships, the opportunities and the dedicated people putting youth work principles into practice every day.

02/10/2026

🚨 ONLY 10 SPACES LEFT! 🚨

We’re getting close to our Youth Work Week Conference – Where Futures Begin, and there are now just 10 spaces remaining.

On 3 November, we’ll be bringing Somerset’s youth sector together for a day of connecting, sharing ideas, learning from one another and celebrating the work happening with and for young people.

There’ll be plenty to get involved with, including:

• Hearing directly from young people through our Youth Panel
• Inspiring speakers and conversations about the future of youth work
• Practical and interactive workshops
• Our Futures Marketplace, showcasing local organisations, projects and opportunities
• Time to meet others working with young people across Somerset
• Space to share what you’re doing, learn from others and make new connections

Whether you’re a youth worker, volunteer, organisation, partner or someone who cares about young people and their communities, we’d love you to be part of the day.

It’s a chance to step away from the day-to-day, connect with others and think together about where futures begin, and what we can do to help create them.

Only 10 spaces remain.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is a good time to book your place.

3 November | Taunton Racecourse

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerset-youth-alliance-youth-work-week-conference-tickets-1995077163502?aff=oddtdtcreator

We look forward to bringing the Somerset youth work community together. 💚

Where Futures Begin: A day to connect, celebrate youth work and strengthen our shared future across Somerset.

29/09/2026

🚨 SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

We’re excited to announce that Jacob Diggle, Chief Impact Officer at UK Youth, will be joining our Youth Professionals Panel at this year’s Youth Work Week Conference! 🙌

With a career spanning youth work, mental health, research and policy, Jacob brings a brilliant perspective on the difference youth work makes — and what the future could look like for the young people we work alongside.

Before joining UK Youth, Jacob led the research team at Mind and previously worked on youth unemployment policy for Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand.

At UK Youth, Jacob leads work exploring research, impact, policy and what really makes a difference in young people’s lives — including the 'Untapped' research into the economic impact of youth work.

So what does the future of youth work need to look like?
How do we demonstrate the difference our work makes?
And how can we create better opportunities for young people across Somerset?

These are exactly the kinds of conversations we want to have at our conference. 🌱

And Jacob will be bringing his experience and insight to the conversation.

📅 3 November
📍 Taunton Racecourse
🎤 Youth Professionals Panel
🌱 Youth Work Week: Where Futures Begin

If you work with young people, this is a conversation you’ll want to be part of.

🎟️ Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerset-youth-alliance-youth-work-week-conference-tickets-1995077163502?aff=oddtdtcreator

23/09/2026

You might have seen our Impact Report already. But have you had a chance to look inside?

Our Somerset Youth Alliance Impact Report 2023–26 tells the story of three years of growth, collaboration and change across Somerset’s youth sector.

There are some big numbers from this year: 47 organisations, 56 youth workers trained, 8 Peer Networks and £39,000 secured for youth voice work.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind them are youth workers, young people, organisations and communities working together to make youth work stronger across Somerset.

And there are some brilliant stories to discover.

Read the Impact Report: https://www.sparksomerset.org.uk/somerset-youth-alliance/

16/09/2026

What would a look like for the Somerset Youth Alliance ?

It could mean youth organisations working in isolation.

Fewer opportunities to learn from each other. Fewer connections. Fewer chances to share knowledge, build skills and work together around what young people need.

Because strong youth work doesn’t happen in isolation.

It happens when organisations come together, share what they know and make sure young people get more.

Better provision.
Stronger voices.
Real change.

Today, we’re launching the Somerset Youth Alliance Impact Report 2023–26 — three years of growth, collaboration and learning, showing what’s possible when Somerset’s youth sector works together.

When Youth Work Works.

Read the report and discover what we’ve built together.

Spark Somerset

https://www.sparksomerset.org.uk/somerset-youth-alliance/

09/09/2026

What would a look like for young people at Somerset Youth Theatre?

It could mean losing a place where young people can be themselves, have their voices heard and feel like they belong.

No weekly youth theatre. No space to explore big ideas, big feelings and the stories that matter to them. No chance to create, perform, make friends and build confidence alongside trusted adults and peers.

It could mean fewer opportunities to discover a passion for theatre, develop new skills or take those first steps towards a creative future.

Because what Somerset Youth Theatre do is about much more than making theatre.

So, what would be missing on a Wednesday without us?

A place to belong.
A voice to be heard.
A chance to create.
A community to grow with.

Every young person deserves somewhere they can show up, be heard, take part and discover what they’re capable of.

Youth Connect South West what would be missing if you weren't here on a Wednesday?

Spark Somerset

26/08/2026

What would a look like for young people in the Cheddar Valley?

It could mean losing a safe place to talk, be heard and feel supported.

No counselling or play therapy. No Youth Café or youth club. No early help.

Just young people facing big feelings without the trusted adults who help them navigate them.

It’s easy to see the services The Space provides. What’s harder to see is the importance of having a safe, welcoming place where young people can turn up, talk things through and know there’s someone there to listen.

That’s the role community organisations play – creating spaces where people can connect, find support and get help when they need it.

Somerset Youth Theatre what would be missing if you weren't here on a Wednesday?

Spark Somerset

25/08/2026

We’re excited to announce our first keynote speaker for our Youth Work Week Conference: Where Futures Begin.

Antonia Dixey, Founder and CEO of Participation People, the UK’s leading youth engagement consultancy, will be joining us for a high-energy, interactive keynote that will get us thinking, talking and looking at youth engagement in a different way.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Antonia has worked with organisations including The Salvation Army, Vodafone, Accountex, National Lottery, Kenya Airways, Mobile World Congress and the European Parliament.

She brings a wealth of experience in making sure young people are genuinely part of the decisions that affect them. Last year alone, Antonia connected 1,250 young people with 8,000 professionals, building solutions with young people, not just for them.

Expect fresh thinking, honest insight and plenty of audience participation.

Where Futures Begin is all about looking ahead, challenging ourselves and thinking differently about what’s possible for young people and the youth work sector.

And this keynote is one you won’t want to miss.

Haven’t booked your place yet? Now’s the time.

Book your place and join us for Youth Work Week: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/somerset-youth-alliance-youth-work-week-conference-tickets-1995077163502?aff=oddtdtcreator

More speaker announcements coming soon.

Spark Somerset