What is the Youth Service?
Blaenau Gwent Youth Service operates out of Promo Cymru’s Ebbw Vale Cultural Centre and supports young people aged 11–25 across the borough. Sitting within the Children, Young People and Families Directorate, the service addresses cross-directorate priorities through open access and targeted provision, including the Youth Engagement and Progression Framework (YEPF), which helps prevent NEET and youth homelessness.
We coordinate Youth Support Services and deliver externally Funded programmes, with tailored provision for 16–25-year-olds. Youth workers are based in every secondary school, including The River Centre. We run two retained youth centres in Abertillery and Cwm, home to the EOTAS project and six satellite youth clubs serving communities across the borough. A Detached Youth Team engages young people in hotspot areas.
We lead on youth participation and youth voice, and offer youth information via social media, alongside schemes like Young Leaders, Young Reps, Young Interviewers, global youth work opportunities, counselling, accreditation, and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Projects
EOTAS – Education Other Than at School
Our EOTAS provision (Education Other Than at School) is a targeted intervention, supporting young people who are disengaging from school/at risk of exclusion and require an alternative package of support.
We work in close partnership with all the Secondary Schools, with formal learning continuing in school for 3 days and 2 days at one of our Youth Centres. The young people follow a structured timetable of sessions linked to the Youth Work Curriculum, along with tailored support around their individual needs, all led by qualified Youth Workers.
The main aim of this provision is supporting young people to address any barriers/challenges to remain in full-time mainstream education and reach their potential. Some of our outcomes will include increasing motivation to learn; building confidence and self-belief; developing self-awareness/emotional regulation and setting realistic expectations.
YEP team - Marginalised & Disengaged
The primary focus of the YEP team is supporting disengaged and marginalised young people (aged 11 – 25), including those who are electively home educated (EHE).
The support is primarily community based and includes a mix of 1-1 and group sessions The offer may cover:
- Emotional wellbeing support
- Support to access social groups
- Transition into secondary education/post 16 transition into education, training or employment (ETE)
- Issue-based interventions
- Signposting and brokerage to relevant services
For the 11-16 element, we target young people whose school attendance falls below 50%. Youth Workers ensure these young people can access the same opportunities and support available to their peers in mainstream education. The aim is to help re-engage learners, build confidence and support their journey back into education.
Positive Futures
risk of offending or already involved in anti-social behaviour. It provides them with opportunities to build resilience, make positive decisions and take greater control of their lives to reach their full potential.
- The programme aims to:
- Tackle anti-social behaviour through early intervention
- Support young people at risk of offending
- Improve community safety and cohesion
- Promote positive pathways through tailored engagement
What we offer:
- One to one mentoring and support
- Positive activities
- Educational workshops
- Virtual reality experience
Who we work with:
- Local schools and colleges
- South Wales Police
- Youth Justice Service
- Social Services
- Housing Associations
- Community Safety Teams
- Local Third Sector Organisations
To make a referral or find out more contact youth.service@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
Engagement and Progression
In Blaenau Gwent we are fully committed to the Welsh Government Youth Engagement and Progression Framework Youth Engagement and Progression Framework: overview [HTML] | GOV.WALES . This framework ensures that all young people have the support they need to thrive and achieve their potential.
To achieve this, the Youth Engagement and Progression Coordinator leads on the implementation and development locally, which includes six core areas:
- Early Identification
- Brokerage
- Monitoring Progression
- Provision
- Employability and Employment opportunities
- Accountability
Together, with our partners, we aim to provide the right opportunities, to the right people, at the right time.
If you would like further information on some of the services and opportunities available, please visit our Blaenau Gwent Pathways. Home - Blaenau Gwent Pathways
Marginalised Youth Work
Our Marginalised and Wellbeing Team supports young people who may face additional barriers, including those with protected characteristics, such as young parents, LGBTQ+ young people, Gypsy Roma Traveller communities, and those not in mainstream education.
We offer safe, inclusive spaces through both group and one-to-one support, helping young people build confidence, develop life skills, and improve their wellbeing. As a team, we lead on inclusion and support young people to gain recognised achievements, develop skills, raise aspirations, and build positive support networks for their future.
Accreditation
We offer a range of ways for young people to gain recognised achievements and build new skills.
We’re a registered Agored Cymru centre and our courses are engaging, inclusive, and designed to be accessible to all young people, regardless of their abilities, needs, or background. Progress is carefully tracked so we can celebrate achievements and support next steps. All Youth Workers contribute to this work, supporting the delivery of Agored-accredited programmes, managing resources responsibly, and ensuring quality standards are consistently met.
Alongside Agored, young people can also take part in Youth Arts Awards, Duke of Edinburgh, and digital programmes. We also recognise all involvement, making sure every young person’s effort is valued.
Open Access
Blaenau Gwent Youth Service delivers a range of universal youth clubs across the borough, providing safe, supportive spaces for young people to meet, socialise and take part in positive activities. Clubs are located in each valley, ensuring accessibility for all communities. Sessions
run weekly from 6–8pm at the following venues: Abertillery (Monday & Wednesday), Tabour in Brynmawr (Monday), Cwm (Monday & Wednesday), Rassau (Tuesday), Kids R Us (Tuesday), and Stockton (Thursday) Amazing club -ASD targeted – not open access, referral only Wednesday)
Each club offers a variety of engaging activities shaped by the Youth Work Curriculum for Wales, supporting young people’s personal, social and educational development. Programmes are created in consultation with young people, giving them a voice in shaping opportunities that reflect their interests and needs. Whether through creative projects, sports, workshops or informal support, youth workers provide guidance and encouragement to help young people build confidence, develop skills and connect with their communities.
Universal clubs are a vital part of Blaenau Gwent Youth Service, offering an inclusive environment where all young people are welcome, ensuring they have access to safe, fun and developmental opportunities close to home.
Detached youth team
The Blaenau Gwent Detached Youth Work Team plays a vital role in supporting young people across the borough by engaging with them directly in their communities. Operating three evenings per week, the team covers the whole of Blaenau Gwent, ensuring their support is accessible wherever young people are. They utilise the Youth Service van to deliver diversionary activities and informal education, creating safe and engaging spaces for young people to connect, learn, and grow.
In addition to their core work, the team works with external agencies such as the fire service to address relevant issues facing young people, such as mental health, substance misuse, and anti-social behaviour.
Through this proactive and partnership-based approach, they help build positive relationships, promote wellbeing, and contribute to safer communities!Youth Information
Blaenau Gwent Youth Information Service aims to provide key information and support to young people and families across the borough.
Through the use of Social Media platforms, online resources, and in-person events, the Information Service gives young people knowledge and information.
Additionally, the Information Service promotes all things digital, helps to develop new information streams and move the service into what is becoming a digital age.
Participation
The National Participation Standards ensure children and young people have a meaningful say in the services that affect them. By involving them in designing, delivering and reviewing services, we can better meet their needs and improve outcomes.
At Blaenau Gwent Youth Service, we actively promote participation through a range of opportunities. Our Youth Forum brings together young people aged 11–25 to represent their peers and influence positive change across the borough. Members are involved in campaigns, consultations and local decision-making on issues such as mental health, equality and climate change.
You can get involved in a number of ways:
- Join the Youth Forum – Find out more
- Help shape youth services – Learn more about the Youth Service
Have your say, get involved, and help make a difference in Blaenau Gwent.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
What is the DofE? Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Take on new challenges, make a difference, and achieve something you’re proud of. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a rewarding programme that helps young people build confidence, develop new skills and create lasting memories.
Open to 14–24-year-olds, DofE offers three levels – Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level includes activities in volunteering, physical activity, skills development and an expedition, with an additional residential experience at gold level.
DofE isn’t about competing with others – it’s about setting your own goals and pushing your personal limits. Along the way, you’ll gain valuable skills such as teamwork, communication, resilience and problem-solving, all highly valued by employers and education providers.
To find out more or get involved, contact the youth service team.
Welsh Language Provision
Blaenau Gwent Youth Service (BGYS) is committed to strengthening Welsh language opportunities for young people. As an active partner in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP), BGYS plays a key role in supporting the growth of Welsh language use beyond the classroom.
Through a Service Level Agreement with Urdd Gobaith Cymru, a dedicated Welsh Language Youth Worker delivers targeted provision based on local need. This includes lunchtime and after-school sessions across secondary schools, creating relaxed, social opportunities for young people to use and build their Welsh.
Young people can take part in a wide range of activities, access national Urdd opportunities, and get involved in campaigns, events and leadership pathways. Staff are also supported to develop their Welsh language skills, helping to create a more confident and inclusive service.
Together, this approach promotes Welsh language, culture and identity, supporting stronger community connections for young people across Blaenau Gwent.
Counselling
Counselling is a confidential space where young people can express their concerns, worries and difficulties with a trained therapeutic professional. Using a range of approaches and resources, counsellors support young people to explore their thoughts and emotions helping them understand more about themselves, others, and their experiences.
Through therapy young people should and learn coping strategies and start to make positive changes.
Counselling can support a wide range of issues such as family issues, friendships, anxiety, feeling low, lack of confidence, self-harm, anger and loss.Contact Information
For more information on any of our services, please contact Youth.Service@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk