At the Neumark Foundation, we are very proud to support the work of Abergele Youth Den, part of Abergele Community Action, where a dedicated senior youth worker helps young people build confidence, develop practical skills and take positive steps towards their future.

One of the key initiatives delivered through the Youth Den is the Grow Programme, a certified six-week course designed for young people aged 16 and over who are not currently in education, employment or training (NEET). The programme is delivered in partnership with Conwy Employment Hub and aims to support participants in developing essential life skills, confidence and employability.

Grow forms part of a wider pathway called Moving Forward, meaning that young people completing the programme always have a clear next step available to them.

Practical skills for life and work

During the programme, participants complete a number of accredited modules designed to equip them with practical knowledge and recognised qualifications. These include safeguarding, finance and budgeting, First Aid Level 2, Food Health and Hygiene Level 2, and allergen awareness, including legislation such as Natasha’s Law.

All learning is tailored to the needs of each group to ensure that young people can achieve the most appropriate outcomes for their individual circumstances.

Youth work at the heart of the programme

Alongside the accredited learning, the programme is rooted in core youth work principles. These focus on empowering young people to take control of their lives, encouraging participation in decision-making, and creating inclusive and safe spaces where young people feel supported.

Activities such as day-mapping sessions allow participants to reflect on their aspirations and explore where they see themselves at different stages of their lives. The programme also places a strong emphasis on wellbeing, relationship building and developing resilience.

As one young person shared, “Everything I wanted was provided,” while another reflected, “I think the elements I have learnt on the course are very good for me going forward into employment.”

The importance of trust

For the youth workers delivering the programme, building trusting relationships with young people is fundamental.

As Blue Douglas, Senior Youth Worker explains, “Youth work relies on young people choosing to participate and feeling empowered by the process. Our young people clearly feel they are gaining and growing through our work and choose to continue to engage with us voluntarily.”

During one safeguarding session, two participants became distressed and were unable to continue with the activity. Staff were able to support them by giving them time away from the session and offering alternative tasks to help them settle and refocus. Through supportive conversations, reassurance and patience, staff helped them work through their concerns.

Both participants later chose to use their lunch break to complete the course and achieve the qualification. A few days later they returned with flowers for the staff, thanking them for the support they had received during a difficult moment.

This cohort has been one of the most successful and reliable groups the Youth Den has worked with, showing resilience and supporting each other throughout the programme.

Real impact

The impact of the programme is clear not only in engagement but in how young people feel.

One participant shared that the Youth Den is “a safe space, where I am listened to, heard and made to feel like I am valued.”

Feedback gathered through the programme shows that many young people arrive feeling uncertain or having a difficult day. By the end of the course, all participants reported feeling positive, with young people describing their experiences as having learnt something new, achieved something meaningful, and even that the programme felt “cool.”

Young people also reported increased confidence and readiness for the future, with one participant noting, “The course has increased my employability chances quite a lot through the development of interpersonal skills.”

Looking ahead

The demand for the programme continues to grow. At a recent recruitment day for the next Moving Forward course, 26 young people attended, leading to a cohort of 14 now regularly participating, the largest group so far.

Across the year, Grow, Moving Forward and Empower Me each run four times, with Moving Forward and Empower Me running alongside each other. Together they provide support for young people 48 weeks of the year.

For many participants, the next steps include employment, training opportunities, apprenticeships or engagement with other support organisations.

At the Neumark Foundation we are delighted to support this work and look forward to seeing how these young people continue to grow and move forward.