Youth Work Week celebrates diversity and inclusion

The Young BwD Youth Foundation celebrated National Youth Work Week at Blackburn Youth Zone on Thursday 7^th November. 

Over 120 young people came together to showcase their art work at the Celebration of Youth Work week held at Youth Zone led by the BwD Youth MP Zainab Shah with support from Young People’s Services.

Music performances, animation, poems, sculptures and paintings were on display to highlight the diversity, equality and inclusivity that children and young people feel attending their youth organisations.

Young people talked passionately about enjoying and representing their youth organisations which included YPS, Blackburn with Darwen Youth Zone, IMO, One Voice, CANW, UCO and BRFC Trust.

Councillor Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education who attended the event said:

We are lucky in Blackburn with Darwen that so many providers have stuck with us in that last decade or so that has seen reductions in youth work nationally. The Young BwD Youth Foundation is a real testament to our shared belief that children and young people have a right to meaningful youth work and I’m grateful to every member organisation for their ongoing commitment to helping children and young people achieve their ambitions.

Youth Work Week is a chance for everyone working in youth work, and the young people themselves, to shout about the difference youth work makes. 

The theme for 2024 is “A right to youth work for all – delivering positive futures for young people”. 

The theme aims to highlight the many ways that youth work spaces are made accessible for all and which enable young people to explore and celebrate their own identity and values. 

Youth MP Zainab Shah said:

It was a pleasure hosting the event for national youth work week and inspiring to see so many passionate faces display their phenomenal work showcasing their hard work representing diversity and inclusivity in their youth spaces.  Overall it shows the power we hold when we collaborate together and share our stories.