The YWU – Y&H – The Regional Resource for Work with Young People

The Youth Work Unit (YWU) is the strategic youth work development agency for the Yorkshire and Humber region.   It is the focal point for the  youth work sector in the region and has a unique role in bringing together the dual functions of support and development.

The YWU was established in 1998 by the 15 Local Authorities who recognized that there was a benefit in working together, and with voluntary youth sector organisations, to share learning and practice and support developments; further that collaborative activities also brought savings and economies of scale.

Now in 2013, a radically changed youth work landscape, financial cutbacks and the demise of national youth policy the YWU as a sector-led support body, now more than ever, aims to support youth work planners and providers in the region to maintain a quality youth work offer to young people as well as working with young people themselves so enable their voice and influence to be maximized locally, regionally and nationally.

The YWU is a charitable company, and works with member voluntary sector, Local Authority (LA) and private youth work providers, youth voice representatives, as well as with regional and national bodies.  

What is Youth Work?

Youth work is non-formal education with young people, primarily 13-19, promoting personal development and social education, in the important transition years to adulthood.  Young people involve themselves by choice and their voice and influence is critical to the work.  Activities, which combine enjoyment with challenge and learning, take place in a broad range of settings.  Youth workers build relationships with young people which support their development, improve their life chances and help them to reach their potential.