Young Bristol

Who we are

Young Bristol is a youth-driven charity, committed to providing a wide range of opportunities and experiences that empower young people to thrive.

Founded in 1928, Young Bristol has grown into one of the city’s leading youth charities, supporting young people aged 8–25 during their critical out-of-school hours. Working across communities in Bristol and surrounding areas, we provide safe, inclusive spaces where young people can build confidence, develop skills, and form positive relationships.

Today, we are recognised as Bristol’s leading provider of community-based youth services. Through our network of community youth clubs—located in some of the city’s most disadvantaged areas—and our diverse programmes including outdoor activities, mobile youth provision, holiday clubs, and employment pathways, we create meaningful opportunities for young people to grow and succeed.

At Young Bristol, we believe that every young person has the right to discover what they are capable of. We support young people to become confident, healthy, resilient, responsible and successful members of their communities, equipping them with the skills and belief to shape positive futures.

At Young Bristol, we believe that every young person has the right to discover what they’re capable of; helping young people to aspire to be confident, healthy, resilient, responsible and successful.

Our Impact in 2024–25

In 2024–25, Young Bristol continued to make a significant and lasting difference in the lives of young people across the region:

• 27,215 total contacts with young people

• 1,832 members engaged across our programmes

• 2,322 sessions delivered

• 738 new members welcomed

• Over 17,600 contacts through open access and holiday provision

• 4,190 contacts through outdoor activities

• Young people reached across multiple communities in Bristol and surrounding areas

• The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was awarded to Young Bristol, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK

Our culture and values

At Young Bristol, our culture is rooted in putting young people first. We create safe, welcoming spaces where every young person feels valued, heard, and supported to be themselves. Our work is guided by strong values—helping young people to become confident, resilient, healthy, responsible and successful—while building trusted relationships with positive role models who genuinely care. We listen to young people and shape our programmes around their needs, ensuring they have a voice and a sense of ownership. Through teamwork, passion, and a deep commitment to our communities, we foster an environment where young people can grow, try new experiences, and believe in their potential to achieve great things.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At Young Bristol, we are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment where everyone is treated fairly and with dignity. We actively promote equality, diversity and inclusion across our workforce by ensuring all staff, volunteers and partners feel valued, supported and able to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. We have clear policies and training in place to prevent discrimination, challenge bias, and promote understanding, ensuring that all recruitment, development and progression opportunities are accessible and based on merit. We celebrate diversity within our team and the communities we serve, recognising that different perspectives strengthen our work. By fostering a culture of openness, respect and accountability, we ensure that equality is embedded in our everyday practice and that discrimination is not tolerated in any form.