**AGM Report 2023-24** **www.thewayzyouth.co.uk** ## **Annual General Meeting 29.01.2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
“ Creating Opportunities for Youth Development ”
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About The Wayz... The Wayz is a fun, safe and welcoming place for young people from across Bracknell Forest to attend. There are a variety of projects available in order to cater for a wide variety of young people. These young people attend in order to enjoy and partake in leisure time activities, as well as gain the opportunity to try new things. We feel our role is to support and empower them through their own development; through a consistent and positive pathway of new opportunities, challenges, experiences, training, self– reflection and awareness. All of which is designed to develop each young person in regards to their own needs and aspirations. This provides an arena to help support young people gain the confidence and understanding when dealing with current issues and challenges in their lives. **Current Projects Running consist of:** **Juniors, Inters, Seniors, Chill Out, Hang Out, Day Camps Activity Scheme, Volunteer Programme, 14-17yr old Offer, Community Programme and our Mobile Youth Hub (1:1 mentoring and group working in schools and detached within the community.** The Wayz has continued as an offer which enables and empowers young people to engage and take ownership of a number of responsibilities. The young people continue to drive the programmes which are important to them. Through activities and informal discussions, the young people contribute in identifying topics and create a programme which helps tackle the challenges but also offers opportunities for young people to attend and have fun. Through discussions the young people have held individually, or as a collective, they have identified their own focus areas; as well as the impact on the community around them. This promotes engagement and prevents young people being excluded from the group or programme. The Wayz strongly believes young people have interests so it is important to encourage young people to exercise that interest in some form which integrates the group and benefits and supports their personal, social and educational development. It has been a very different and challenging year. Our offer has allowed our team, young people and community to witness some great events, activities and contributions from our young people and supporters. We hope that this highlights the potential to other young people and community stakeholders of the opportunities which are/can be offered by The Wayz and its young people. ## **The Wayz Management Committee Board** David Seward (Chair), Bianca Askew-Gallipoli (Vice Chair), Carol Staniford (Trustee), Cllr Chris Turrell (Trustee), Louise Wiseman (Trustee), Wendy Austin-Bush (Trustee) **----- Start of picture text -----**
The Wayz Youth Worker and Centre Manager
Centre Admin & Data Manager Sessional LIC
Co-Worker
Volunteers
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The Wayz 2023-24
525 3852
Different Young people
Session Engagements
engaged in offer
400+
Detached Hours
1072
Holiday
Engagements
29
Volunteers Youth Volunteers
194
Holiday YP
1000+
Mobile Hub Engagements
“Creating Opportunities for Youth Development”
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“Having The Wayz has been a huge support for me, I have done so much and feel much happier ” 3 ## Chair of Trustees Report It gives me great pleasure to present this year’s Chairman’s report, reflecting on another successful and dynamic year for The Wayz. The past year has been one of growth, opportunity, and development, showcasing our commitment to providing high-quality services and opportunities for young people in Bracknell and the surrounding areas. ## **Programmes and Activities** We have continued to expand our programmes, reaching more young people than ever before. New partnerships have been established to support young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring that our services are inclusive and accessible. Our holiday programmes have grown in popularity, offering a diverse range of activities that engage and inspire. Throughout the year, we have provided a variety of sessions and activities, including holiday programmes, volunteering opportunities, and special events. These initiatives have not only enriched the lives of young people but have also strengthened their skills, confidence, and sense of community. ## **Community Engagement** The community aspect of our work has flourished, highlighted by events such as the Fun Days and the “Summer of Fun” programme. These events brought people together, celebrated our community spirit, and showcased the positive impact of youth work in Bracknell. We remain committed to making The Wayz a hub for community connection and youth engagement. ## **Staffing** This year saw some changes in our staffing team. We said farewell to several holiday programme staff who contributed significantly to our success, and we thank them for their dedication. At the same time, we welcomed new staff members who have already made a great impact, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the team. Our existing staff continue to develop their skills through training and professional development opportunities. Notably, Paige completed her Level 4 qualification in Youth Work Practice, an achievement that reflects her hard work and commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of her and all our team members who strive to improve their practice. ## **Partnerships** Partnerships remain at the core of our work. We have continued to collaborate with key agencies, including the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and community safety organisations, further building The Wayz as a trusted and recognised brand for youth work in Bracknell. Our work with Crowthorne has also progressed, ensuring young people in this area benefit from our expertise and programmes. We are delighted to see Silva homes get involved again, exploring new opportunities to support young people. Their commitment to fostering volunteerism and leadership development among young people is a promising avenue that we are excited to pursue further. ## **Support from Berkshire Youth** Berkshire Youth has been a steadfast supporter, contributing significantly to our ability to deliver impactful services. The spring and summer of 2023 saw a remarkable increase in opportunities through the Safer Street programmes, which provided centre-based, community-based, and activity-based options for young people. The efforts of The Wayz team have not gone unnoticed, with Bracknell Town Council committing to continued support for our detached youth work. This strengthened partnership has enhanced our already positive relationship and allowed us to broaden our reach and impact. ## **Looking Ahead** As we reflect on the achievements of the past year, we also look ahead with optimism. Our focus remains on providing innovative and inclusive opportunities for young people while strengthening our partnerships and community connections. Together, we will continue to make The Wayz a beacon for youth work in Bracknell and beyond. In closing, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Your dedication and passion make everything we achieve possible. Here’s to another year of success and impact. David Seward 4 ## Youth Worker’s Report Throughout the year, The Wayz has developed its offer, collaboration and capacity with engaging and supporting young people across Bracknell Forest. Our youth workers have provided a range of youth focused activities, events, mentoring and training opportunities. **Centre Based Schools Programmes** Working with young people through our evening Focused programmes to support groups in school, sessions, holiday schemes and including Youth Achievement Awards, Fusion. activities programmes. **Mobile Youth Hub Volunteer and Community** Support in schools and the community, offering Creating opportunities for young people to learn detached and 1:1 support, working with partners to and apply skills and training into their community; optimise the support. ## **454 Different Young People** **4025 Sessional engagements** ## **900+ Community-based engagements** Our weekly offer of sessional has continued, with each session having a range of activities available through a youth-led programme. Each session provides opportunities such as; cooking, consoles, sports, topical support around safety, relationships, managing emotions, confidence and achievements. Each programmes is delivered and monitored to achieve development within six socioemotional skills; **Empathy, Initiative, Emotion Management, Teamwork, Responsibility and Problem Solving.** Throughout the year, there has also been a range of activities outside of the centre including Beach Trip, Bowling, Aqua Inflatables, London, Campig, Meals, Go-Kart ng and more. Young people include these trips within their programmes. Through holiday we saw the development of our Safe Spaces, Community Sports and drop in sessions as well as our activity programmes for 8-12 and 13-17yrs. Through 2023-24 The Wayz worked with Berkshire Youth and other local partners to provide a Safer Streets programme. This saw our offer developed throughout the summer term. This was a great piece of work to both support young people, and further enhance our community working. We helped with summer events across Bracknell and structured activities. This programme and funding stopped in September 2023, however Bracknell Town Council and Crowthorne Parish Council were open to continuing the street-based work and funded a four hour per week offer to support young people in the community. In February 2024 we delivered a football competition with Bracknell Town Council and saw 87 YP turn up for the event and engage positively with other within their community. We also had a visit from the police and crime commissioner and leader of Bracknell Forest Council at this event. Our street based work saw over **1000 engagements with young people** 5 ## Youth Worker’s Report ## **Volunteer and Community** Our volunteer programme has supported opportunities for 29 volunteers both young people and adults. Throughout the year they have supported sessions and community events, participating in a range of workshops and training. Away from delivery we have worked with Silva Homes/Abri to explore their support towards creating young leaders and volunteers. We are very grateful that they have offered to support our programme for a year to support 20 young people through the training. This support enables more training and residential opportunities for young people. ## **Mobile Youth Hub** Our schools work has continued with both primary and secondary schools receiving support. With school support ranging from programme delivery with Fusion, Youth work support through 1:1 and structured activities, we have continued to work across Bracknell through schools. Working with young people around their own reflected development. A lot of this work, supports our community and sessional offer, bridging the access to support and youth work engagement. Therefore, extending our safe spaces and adults for young people. Brakenhale, Garth, Easthampstead Park, Edgbarrow, Sandhurst, Harmans Water and Holly Spring School. ## Community and Partners Our Fun Day was a great success with hundreds of people attending and enjoying the range of acticies, stall and information points throughout the afternoon. This event is created with volunteers and shows a huge success once again. What a fantastic year for collaboration. With great examples of partnership working, bridging opportunities for youth participation in the community, meeting and speaking to service and agency leads. We have received continued support from Rotary Clubs, support our 13-17 programme, fun day, family Beach trip. Crowthorne Parish Council have continued their support for detached work in Crowthorne. New funding from Bracknell Town Council as a continuation of a great Safer Streets programme with Berkshire Youth and The Police and Crime Commission. Along with this, there is a range of networking events, presentations and meeting to showcase and explore this with services and agencies across Bracknell. All the achievement are recognised through our annual Woscars where young people, volunteers, staff and partners/supporters are recognised and celebrated. This years Woscars event had over 100 attend and some great reflection on those successes. 6 ## Statement’s _Young Person:_ _It’s been nice to have people to chat to that aren’t telling us off, just asking how exams went_ _“I loved the trip especially Camping, I learnt to put up a tent. It was nice to just chill out with my friends. Nice to go away somewhere.”_ _“its great here, we get to do lots of fun things, I love the activities and get to see my friends._ ## _Partner Feedback_ _“We have had a difficult group of youths who have hung around in our park over the summer playing loud/offensive rap music and also underage drinking (and subsequent vomiting on our equipment. We have liaised with The Wayz about this group, and their youth workers stayed on after our Summer of Fun event to play informal sports with this group. The group have very little in the way of structure and support at home, citing the fact their parents are happy for them to be out drinking in the park (school year 9/10), consequently the engagement with trained youth workers to safeguard, signpost services etc. has been vitally important over the summer months where the safety net and structure of school is not available.”_ ## _Parent Feedback_ _I think that what ever ai write in here, won't really reflect the exceptional service that the Wayz is... I have tried other day camps for my little one. I choose the Wayz 1000%. its more family oriented, its more in line with the kids needs than the earnings (like any other private one). My daughter had such a great time... I only found out from word to mouth. 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J)fL4¥L.(L•* Auorr p.c.¢A **Gareth Mepham** **Area Youth and Community Worker** **E: gareth@thewayzyouth.co.uk** **T: 07928 816 186** **The Wayz Youth Centre Calfridus Way** **Bracknell Berkshire RG12 9ET** **T: 01344 483596** **www.thewayzyouth.co.uk Registered Charity No. 1181340** ## Acknowledgements and how to get involved As a centre, The Wayz is highly reliant on community investment and genuine support towards our intentions, focus and young people. When I refer to investment it is obvious financial investment is reassuring, however it is often the investment in people’s time and openness to work with us and commit to our young people. The Wayz has made a great impact towards the community and young people over the years, with each year getting stronger. Whilst we hope for this to continue I think it is important we recognise the contributions made over the past 12 months. - **Bracknell Forest Council** - **Rotary Club of Easthampstead** - **Bracknell Town Council** - **Crowthorne Parish Council** - **Cadence** - **Berkshire Youth** - **Silva Homes** - **Involve** As our offer moves forward we welcome support and input from others to ensure the quality on offer to young people. If you would like to be involved in supporting us, we are very happy to explore this with any individual or organisation that may have something to offer our projects. We are very proud of our members, volunteers, staff and supporters and are excited moving forward. For more information please refer to the contact details above. 12