Horbury youth project seeking volunteers for Duke of Edinburgh's Award after a year of virtual youth meetings

The Horbury Breakthrough Youth Project (HBYP) offer one of the district's only open access Duke of Edinburgh awards, accepting entries from all young people up to the age of 25, and are now seeking volunteers to take part in the qualification at all levels.

It is hoped that meetings will begin later this month, allowing the groups to take part in their formal expeditions in 2021.

HBYP work with upwards of 400 children and young people a year, offering a programme of events including guitar lessons, youth clubs, cooking sessions and residential trips.

Though many of their usual activities have been postponed during the pandemic, the group have continued their hard work, distributing a monthly activity magazine and hosting weekly Zoom sessions to allow young people to continue communicating with youth workers.

Gary Bentley, project manager, said: “The first lockdown meant we had to adapt our work significantly.

"Starting back in April we began phoning the young people every couple of weeks to see how they were coping being stuck at home, allowing us to build relationships with parents and carers like never before

"The last eight months have been challenging and many Youth Work services have just stopped.

"We have a solid funding base and we are determined to offer young people support, activities, skill developments and social opportunities.

"It has been a challenging time for families, especially larger families in smaller homes where siblings share a bedroom, so, we felt it is extremely important to maintain contact with the young people as much as possible, to make sure they were doing okay, help reduce isolation and potential mental health issues.”

To find out more, or to sign up for the DofE award today, contact Horbury Breakthrough Youth Project on [email protected], or project manager Gary Bentley on 07514 282806.