SBY Youth Board

Our Youth Board is made up of young people from Years 9, 10 & 11 who have been, or are currently on, our programmes.

The role of the Youth Board is as follows:

  • To provide a youth voice at the highest governance level of the organisation, making services, events and decision-making relevant, appropriate and effective.
  • To help young people build professional skillsets and experience that may lead to future employment.
  • To inform systems to improve services for future young people.
  • To reinforce the mission and values of the organization to internal and external audiences.

Activities

Youth Voice: we hold an annual Youth Forum, hosted at a local FE college or university. Members discuss the most pertinent issues for young people, and provide feedback on the programmes and services that SBY provide. The host venue offers the ideal opportunity for members to understand their local FE/HE opportunities, with a bespoke tour of the venue and a talk about courses and student life.

Feedback: Youth Board members test and feedback on at least one new activity each academic year. They are consulted on key decisions, e.g. new logos for programmes, new activities, etc.

Experience: members experience a cultural event or activity. We support them to develop their skills through employability activities such as communication, leadership, or CV writing.

Wellbeing: members are invited to attend a nature walk or other wellbeing activity.

Speak with Spark

Speak with Spark focuses on improving students’ presentation skills and their confidence in orating to an audience.

In partnership with the John James Bristol Foundation, every student on the programme participates in a full day Public Speaking Workshop where they develop their communication skills before constructing and delivering an engaging presentation on a topic of their choosing. At the end of the workshop, students are offered the chance to take part in the Speak with Spark Competition where they will go head-to-head with students from other cohorts to deliver a speech at a special event.

Thrive Outside

The Thrive Outside programme aims to support students who find the mainstream school environment challenging or overwhelming due to underlying areas of need. By engaging in practical educational activities in settings outside of the classroom, students can experience success, build their confidence and resilience, and develop their sense of belonging and self-esteem.

Supporting emotional intelligence is central to the programme; students are encouraged to discuss their feelings through wellbeing check-ins at the start and end of every activity, and staff provide support and mentoring catered both to individual needs, and those of the cohort.

Our Programmes

Unlocking Potential

Improving confidence through speaking, listening and communication skills as part of drama, film, performance and presentation skills.

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Learning to Lead

Learning to Lead provided South Bristol Youth’s first opportunity to work with primary aged students and their families.

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Future Quest

Since 2016/17 we have been one of the key partners* in the Uni Connect Programme funded by the Office for Students, which aims to increase the number of young people…

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Insight into Apprenticeships

The Insight into Apprenticeships programme is designed for students in years 9 or 10 who have shown an aptitude for the apprenticeship pathway, particularly 16-18 apprenticeships.

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Learning to Lead

Learning to Lead provided South Bristol Youth’s first opportunity to work with primary aged students and their families.

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Green Futures

The Green Futures and Green Skills programmes are funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Green Futures is now in its third year and has been scaled to…

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