A YEAR OF PEOPLE, PARTICIPATION AND PARTNERSHIP
OUR2025 INBRIEF
Last year, young people across Bristol and South Gloucestershire asked us for space, trust and the chance to do things differently. They brought ideas, energy and imagination to challenges that felt stubborn and complex. They told us they felt rising anxiety, disengagement from education, that public spaces felt unsafe, and systems too often made decisions without them.
Creative Youth Network offered young people tailored support, creative tools, safe spaces and tangible pathways We delivered activities, services and support that reached thousands of young people. In return, young people co designed our sessions, reshaped our spaces, tested new ways of working and led conversations with partners, decision makers and peers. Creativity wasn’t an add‑on; it was how problems were approached - through making, discussion, collaboration and action. Participation turned lived experience into insight, and these insights into change.
“I’msoproudofeverythingour amazingteammanagedtoachieve in2025.Thankyoutoallofour wonderfulstaff,volunteers,funders andsupporters–theseareour collectiveachievements,andwe couldn’thavedoneitwithoutyou”
None of this happened alone. Progress in 2025 was built through partnership - between young people and youth workers, across communities, and with organisations who shared a belief in prevention, inclusion and co production. Together, we created safer spaces, stronger pathways into education and employment, and opportunities for young people to influence decisions that affect their lives
The challenges are real, and they’re not going away But this report shows how solutions come when young people are not just consulted but made collaborators - shaping services, supporting one another and helping systems respond more effectively We helped thousands of young people take control of their life and find their path, whether this was a new passion, leading a change, building skills and confidence or re-engaging in school or the workplace - with an impact that spread across the region and rippled nationally.
YOUNGPEOPLE’S STORIES
Creative Youth Network enables young people, no matter what their background or circumstances, to reach their own potential. Hear from young people about what our services mean to them....
“Creative Futures helped me find mycreativefootingandvoice.Iam a lot more confident as an artist and person. It’s helped me receive compliments better and feel the valueofmywork.Inowfeelproudof theworkImakeandmyself.”
We supported H through challenging circumstances to pursue his music career
View all these and more young people’s stories on our YouTube channel. @creativeyouthnetwork
“I really liked the idea of drop in sessions. Youth Centres aren’t very common back home and I had neverdoneanythinglikeitbefore.”
Hear Rohan talk about his journey from our weekly sessions for Refugee and Asylum Seekers to his current employment.
“My heart feels like a smashed window.”
WHOWEARE
We believe young people are experts in their own lives. Our role is to offer support, share power, provide programmes for personal development and growth and create the conditions where ideas can grow into action. That belief shapes everything we do - from open access to 1-2-1 youth work, from outreach to youth leadership.
We delivered sessions, events and activities in 2025
2,903
WHEREWEWORK
In 2025 we ran our youth sessions across 11 regular community venues as well as online. We constantly adapt our delivery locations and methods to respond to young people’s needs. Throughout the year we ran many sessions and services outdoors, on the move and in temporary locations
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Find out where we are delivering now:
Our work is based on three core beliefs: Creative
Creativity opens doors. We give young people space to express themselves, build confidence and discover what they’re capable of
Youth Network
Youth work is how change happens. We build trust over time and keep young people at the heart of everything we do
We work better together. Through partnership, young people connect, contribute and shape their communities
HOWWEWORK
We deliver a wide range of support and services for young people, from regular youth clubs to 1-2-1 sessions, from skate jams to artists residencies. We work where young people feel most comfortable in more than 80 spaces and places in communities across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and online
Lockleaze
KEYSTATS
Creative Youth Network enables young people, no matter what their background or circumstances, to reach their own potential.
In 2025, young people didn’t just access Creative Youth Network’s provision - they kept coming back. Attendance levels were high, relationships deepened, and participation grew, even as pressures on young people and services increased
2,144
18,924
3,252
YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED IN COURSES, PROGRAMMES, SESSIONSAND EVENTS.
ATTENDANCES WERE RECORDEDSIGNIFICANTLY EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.
POSITIVE OUTCOMESANDAWARDS WERE RECORDED.
But... thousands more accessed services run through our wider partnerships and buildings.
-YouthVoiceEventPlanner
OFYOUNG PEOPLE REPORTEDHAVINGA TRUSTED RELATIONSHIP WITHAYOUTH WORKER.
OF THOSE ENGAGED WERE FROM UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS, INCLUDING THOSE FACING INEQUALITY, DISCRIMINATION ORADDITIONAL BARRIERS. BUT...
We ask young people to tell us who they are and what they’re experiencing, however, do not insist on information we don’t need - so this is heavily underreported.
SAFE SPACES
THESTATION
The Station, our central Bristol youth and community hub, received significant support from the National Lottery Community Fund and the Prudence Trust to bolster our services and ensure that young people from all walks of life can access the support they need, find activities that enrich their lives and improve their wellbeing. Here, young people facing complex issues found creativity, community and a sense of belonging.
The look and feel of The Station also received upgrades in line with a wishlist made by young people Thanks to a refurbishment grant from the Youth Investment Fund we installed new air con in the dance studios, environmental improvements, and a mural from Abbi Bayliss, a young artist . We also welcomed a new café Jikoni East Africa, offering traditional and inspired dishes from Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
“[TheStation]isgoodbecauseits big and we can be here with all our friends. It’s safer than when we go to the parks, like the one near my school because there is always trouble. Even if we are walking round town people stare at you and you never know what theyarethinking”
Used by 2,500 young people overall
744 young people directly engaged in our programmes
At The Station in 2025:
RESPONDINGTO LOCALNEED
SPOTLIGHTON... KINGSWOOD
In 2025, youth provision in Kingswood was transformed thanks to local and regional funders coming forward and investing. This enabled a joined up offer where young people can access positive activities, wellbeing support and early intervention in one place Through funding from Kingswood Town Council, we embedded two new rolesa Wellbeing Practitioner and a Lead Youth Worker - ensuring young people receive the right support quickly, from friendly youth clubs, to tailored one to one and therapeutic support. Weekly detached sessions using DORIS, our youth bus, allows us to reach young people where they are.
"[Jenny] has totally loved her sessions with you and I'm super proud of her. I have definitely seenachange,soIjustwantedto say a huge thank you for all the work you have done with her." Parent
Other funders and partners came forward to complete the local picture. From free summer activities in the park with young people dropping in for circus, theatre and music skills funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and South Gloucestershire Council - to detached sessions funded by the Violence Reduction Unit – our youth workers were a friendly and visible presence
EMERSONS GREEN
Thanks to investment from Emersons Green Town Council we delivered a flexible programme that places creativity at its heart with a Drama Club and free theatre making courses. This funding also enabled us to tailor our youth clubs by age in order to offer all young people in the area positive activities.
in and around the Emersons Green neighbourhood used our youth clubs and arts courses.
Doris the Youth Bus
EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT ANDTRAINING
Being out of education, employment or training is rarely a single choice - it’s often the outcome of disrupted learning, anxiety, caring responsibilities, unstable housing, or systems that didn’t adapt in time National figures estimated 12.8% of 16–24 year olds in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) by the end of 2025, equivalent to around 957,000 - and rising (Office for National Statistics).
Young people who are disengaged from education and the workforce see longer-term impacts on confidence, income and opportunity In order to succeed, we owe young people support to address these issues as well as tangible opportunities - creative, practical steps that rebuild routine, skills and belief We connect young people with trusted adults, realworld projects and partnerships to open routes where talent can grow and next steps feel possible
“Thankyousomuch,IGOT THEPOSITION ��☺☺☺ I reallycouldn’thavedoneit withoutallyourhelp... I'msothankful.”
All our delivery for NEET young people was flexible and responsive to their needs: for some, this meant home‑based or community one to one support; for others, progression into longer creative courses, careers events and sustained group provision. The success of this approach is reflected in strong engagement, consistent attendance and young people choosing to continue into further learning, training or ongoing CYN provision
Within our NEET programmes:
50% of young people made direct progress into education, training and employment
62% achieved soft outcomes, including building confidence and awareness of resources
In 2025, we delivered four targeted NEET programmes supporting young people who were struggling to engage in education, employment or training, combining trusted youth work with creativity, one to one support and clear progression routes Funded primarily by WECA, and working with partners including Weston College, young people tackled complex barriers including poor mental health, low confidence and disrupted education to develop transferable skills, improve their wellbeing, get recognised accreditations and take steps back into work and education settings
ALTERNATIVELEARNING PROVISION
We also expanded our Alternative Learning Provision, including through the establishment of an early intervention service that worked with 19 schools across Bristol. This tailored approach has helped young people rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships and remain connected to learning during periods of crisis. This work has demonstrated that when support is delivered early, with trust, flexibility and collaboration between young people and practitioners, exclusion can be prevented and young people are better able to stay engaged and progress on their own terms.
100%
“You were amazing with her. She never usually opens up to peoplelikethat.”
-SchoolFeedback
“Iamsograteful…youhelped mysonsmileagain.Heis anotherboy.”-Parent
of young people referred to Creative Youth Network by schools stayed in education
CREATIVEPATHWAYS
Building on our NEET focused work, Creative Youth Network has developed clear progression into creative careers through residencies, mentoring, commissions and industry‑led opportunities. Through established programmes such as Creative Futures, young people worked alongside professional creatives to develop new work, gain accredited learning and step into paid opportunities, from event management and digital content creation to public commissions and performances. This approach recognises creativity as a serious, practical tool - helping young people rebuild routine, confidence and professional identity while connecting them directly to industries that are often closed off to those facing inequality.
THECOURTS
ACREATIVEHUBSHAPEDBYYOUNGPEOPLE
“I enjoyed being part of the cohort, talking to people that otherwise I wouldn’t have met and having shared experiences with other artists in different disciplines and different styles ofworkingcreatively”
Employment and paid creative opportunities have also been generated, alongside targeted wellbeing support from youth workers. The Courts is further strengthened by a growing network of over 50 creative organisations and tenants, and has already welcomed more than 1,000 visitors, collectively contributing to a supportive, collaborative environment that nurtures young talent and connects them to the creative industries. Thanks to ongoing funding from The Nisbet Trust and the support of tenants such as Paraorchestra, Bristol School of Acting and Friction Collective, we are seeing the power of real, equal collaboration between established creative professionals and young people and watching young creatives take meaningful steps towards sustainable careers in the industry.
In the Courts first year:
100+ young people
co‑designed and shaped The Courtsfrom building design to programming and events
750+ audience members
attended Creative Youth led events, showcasing young people’s work and talent
50+ creative organisations
engaged in give back opportunities e.g. mentoring, workshops, skills shares.
Esme (aka Melo) created her first professional commission within The Courts - helping her build a credible portfolio and take a critical first step into a creative career. Through this opportunity, she developed her distinctive, character-led mural style in a live, public setting, gaining the confidence and experience needed to progress
Esme has gone on to secure representation with ROAR Artist Agency and has been named Upfest’s Festival Artistdemonstrating the right support and early opportunities can turn into sustained creative careers
MENTALHEALTH SUPPORT
Young people across Bristol and South Gloucestershire are navigating rising pressure on their mental health, shaped by anxiety, isolation and widening inequality. Services are seeing a high number of young people waiting to access support and longer waiting times. Over half a million young people were on waiting lists for support with 50% waiting over a year to receive help (Mind, Care before Crisis Report, 2025, citing ONS stats).
Young people are clear they don’t want to wait for crisis In response, we shaped early, accessible support built on trust We embed wellbeing into everyday youth provisionblending youth work, creativity and therapeutic practiceso support is relational, consistent and rooted in young people’s lives
WALKINSERVICESIN BRISTOL
Throughout 2025 The Station became a key part of Bristol’s early mental health infrastructure. With investment from the Prudence Trust, we combined qualified wellbeing practitioners with youth work led duty support, creating a single, trusted front door in the city centre. Over the year, young people accessed support in ways that felt manageable and non clinical, whether through drop in conversations, one to one wellbeing work or structured CBT interventions.
100+ young people received our direct support with mental health or wellbeing at The Station
No young people were turned awaytrauma-informed youth workers adapted support, maintained relationships and kept pathways open. Wellbeing Practitioners meant young people were seen quickly to address mental health challenges rather than face weeks or even months of waiting times.
The impact has been clear: young people supported showed improved wellbeing, with strong progress in confidence, relationships and goal‑setting. And beyond The Station, this work strengthened collaboration with health, education and VCSE partners, demonstrating how community‑based support can bridge gaps between statutory and voluntary systems.
SUPPORTWITHIN COMMUNITIES Katie’s Story
Katie received free support from our Wellbeing Practitioners in her local area.
Our wellbeing support stretched across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, supporting young people in their communities. In places like Kingswood, young people moved between informal conversations with youth workers and structured therapeutic support, building the confidence to talk openly and act on what they needed This local, joined up approach meant young people were seen earlier, supported consistently and able to apply what they learned in real life - whether returning to school, rebuilding relationships or managing anxiety
73% reliable improvement 96% satisfaction rate
Reported by young people seen by our wellbeing practitioners between May and September
Funding from the John Lewis Community Foundation enabled us to refurbish our dedicated wellbeing room in Kingswoodgiving young people a safe, private space to reflect, talk openly and access support on their own terms
When I first met Katie, she described feeling anxious most days, and this was starting to limit what felt possibleavoiding school and stepping back from activities she had previously enjoyed
Together, we worked through an eight week programme focused on understanding and exploring how anxiety showed up for her The work was collaborative: she brought her experiences, and together we shaped strategies that felt realistic to use beyond sessions. As her confidence grew, she began practising these approaches at home and in school, building a sense of control over what had previously felt overwhelming.
This began to translate into everyday change. She returned to school more consistently, joined an after school club and became more open to trying new or previously difficult situations. By the end of the programme, she was clearer about how to recognise and manage her worries, and described feeling more in control.
[We’ve]seensucha difference”-Parent
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
Youth Voice remains a key pillar of our strategy and we ’ ve made progress in our aims to embed young people at the heart of decision-making. We worked with partners, tenants and the wider community in Bristol and South Gloucestershire to bring together young people from all walks of life with those who can help them influence real change
Participation in 2025 was active, practical and visible. Within the organisation young people co designed sessions and events, reshaped spaces, took part in recruitment, and led conversations with partners and decision makers But we also helped young people amplify their voices beyond our walls as leaders influencing professional creative industries, informing local councils, shaping public narratives and contributing directly to national policy thinking
BRISTOLHACK
In 2025, young people moved from speaking up to shaping change through youth‑led events with real reach. Over 70 young people and 10 youth organisations came together for Bristol Hack, feeding lived experience and solutions directly into the Government’s new ten‑year National Youth Strategy. These moments show youth voice translating into influence - across policy, partnership and opportunity.
Many more gave feedback and ideas to our staff, to design and shape our own sessions, centres and activities.
Around 250 young people had their voices heard by decision makers. 96% feel listened to*
*Reported by young people filling in our Trusted Youth Worker
survey.
BEYONDEVENTS
Beyond our internal feedback loops with young people and our event series, we lined up other opportunities for young people to shape culture and civic systems.
Young asylum seekers led workshops at Ben & Jerry’s Sundae Festival, bringing lived experience into national cultural platforms.
Young people worked with Bristol City Council to influence how local public spaces around The Station support safety and belonging.
“Thesessiongave[me]a comfortablespacetoreflect,reset andgrow.
Ileftwithamuchclearersenseof directionandgreaterconfidence. Overall,itwasagreatexperience[I’m]gratefulfortheopportunity” -Eventattendee
Young people connected with the Bristol City Youth Council ahead of elections, shaping how peers engage with democratic processes.
Decision makers entered young people’s spaces, with Carla Denyer MP joining an open access session for direct, two way dialogue.
PARTNERSHIPS
A few of the partnerships we are proud to be part of:
[OurpartnershipwithCreative Youthnetworkis]builton mutualrespect,shared purpose,andagenuine passionforempoweringyouth."
KarlCulleton,HeadofDelivery SouthWestEngland,TheKing’s Trust
CULTUREWEST
PARTNERINGWITHBRISTOLYOUTHCONNECT*
[Collaboration]iskeytothesuccess ofthesession.Bothorganisations areworkingcloselytoprovidethe supportandguidancethatlocal youngpeopleneed,especiallyina community...thatishighlydiverse, denselypopulated,andamongthe mostdeprivedinBristol.
-BristolYouthConnect
*Operating as Bristol Somali Youth Voice in 2025.
WETHECURIOUSXCREATIVEFUTURES
Through partnership with We The Curious, Artists from our Creative Futures programme co-designed and delivered live experiences with public audiences - testing ideas in a real-world setting
The partnership supported clear progression. Artists built facilitation skills, adapted their work in response to live audiences, and grew in confidence to lead future opportunities. At the same time, We The Curious brought new perspectives into their programme, demonstrating the value of working with early-career creatives.
This builds on an ongoing relationship, including paid commissions for emerging artists. Together, this partnership creates more than one-off activity - opening pathways, sharing resources, and supporting young creatives to step forward and shape what comes next.
Maya created and delivered a project with We The Curious, Trails, an exploration of the constant changes in our city environment
OURFINANCESIN2025
Our finances are shaped by what young people need to move forward - trusted relationships, consistent support, and spaces where they feel safe to take part and create In 2025, we balanced increasing demand with rising costs, protecting the work that matters most while maintaining financial stability.
We take a deliberate approach to how resources are used. Investment is focused on people, places, and programmes working together - rather than in isolation - so that support is sustained, responsive and rooted in young people’s lived experience. Alongside this, we continue to strengthen our financial resilience, taking a steady, long-term approach that protects delivery while building capacity for the future.
Our total income was £3.11m.
We combine public funding, philanthropy, and enterprise to reduce our reliance on any single source and strengthen long-term sustainability.
Our total expenditure was £3.07m.
We focus on sustained engagement that acts early and means all young people can find the support they need. This reduces escalation into more costly servicescreating both immediate impact and long-term value for communities.
*Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number, so totals may not add to 100%.
Individual & corporate giving
£0.03m (1%)
Trusts & Foundations
£0.65m (21%)
Earned income
£1.46m (47%)
From our buildings, partnerships, and enterprise activity. All reinvested directly into youth hubs, activites and programmes.
Grants and contracts from local authorities
Public sector
£0.98m (32%)
Youth workers, creatives, and support staff who build trusted relationships that drive change Spaces
£1.42m (46%)
£0.78m (25%)
Youth clubs and creative venues. Our safe, welcoming places where young people belong
Programmes & partnerships
£0.35m (11%)
Governance, finance, IT and systems. Ensuring safe, effective, and accountable delivery
Core infrastructure
£0.52m (17%)
Activities, materials, and specialist provision. Enabling creativity, wellbeing, and progression
OURFUNDERS
WECOULDN’TDOANYOFTHISWITHOUT....
the generosity, support and trust of our funders. Their investment has kept services running when they were at risk, developed early intervention programmes to help young people before they reach crisis, and kickstarted creative careers
At a time of growing pressure, your support helps maintain what matters most: connection, continuity, and the ability for young people to shape their own pathways with confidence.
AKO Foundation
Ben & Jerry's UK
Bristol Airport Diamond Fund
Bristol City Centre/Redcliffe & Temple BID
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bristol Business Network
Bristol City Council
Bristol City Leap Community Energy Fund
Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)
Emersons Green Town Council
The Ernest Cook Trust
The Finzi Trust
The Foyle Foundation
Hanham Parish Council
In memory of George Hather
John James Bristol Foundation
John Lewis Community Foundation
Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust
THEBIGGIVE
We are so grateful to the Big Give platform, our champion funder the AKO Foundation, and generous individuals and corporates in the campaign week This is often our only public fundraising campaign each year, and provides an incredible matched funding opportunity to double donations!
Our 2025 campaign enabled us to adapt, respond and deliver the right support at the right time - demonstrating the power of flexible funding to drive meaningful impact
As this report shows, flexible funding like this is critical to sustaining high-quality support, when it is most needed.
£16,820 raised
Kingswood Town Council
National Lottery Heritage Fund
National Lottery Community Fund
The Nisbet Trust
Oldland Parish Council
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery
The Pople Charitable Trust
Prudence Trust
Quartet Community Foundation
Quartet - Commissioners Crime Prevention Fund
Red Trousers Fund
Schroder Charity Trust
Spielman Charitable Trust
South Gloucestershire Council
TAP for Bristol
West of England Combined Authority (WECA)
WECA Green Business Grant
Wesport - Crime Prevention through Sport Fund
Youth Music, thanks to the National Lottery
via Arts Council England
Youth Music thanks to funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery
We also thank those individuals, companies and trusts who wish to remain anonymous.
BEPARTOF WHATHAPPENSNEXT
Every day, young people are stepping forward - trying new things, shaping ideas, and building their own paths. That doesn’t happen by chance. It happens because the right support is there at the right time to:
keep trusted youth workers present keep spaces open and welcoming reate opportunities for young people to take part, create and lead.
SUPPORTOURWORK
Find what works for you Be a partner, mentor, donor or simply connect with us Together, we can keep what works going - and create what’s next.
Donate
Provide young people with early help, crisis support and positive activities for brighter futures Partner or offer your organisation’s skills to support young people’s careers. Get in touch!
