We empower young people to actively engage in their communities by listening to their aspirations and supporting them in creating the changes they wish to see. Our work ensures that every young person we engage with has equal access to opportunities, enabling them to shape their own futures with confidence and purpose. 


About our work

The work we do is essential for the young people we work with, it provides them with much-needed support, guidance, and opportunities they may otherwise not get. The young people we work with often face significant challenges, including poverty, limited access to education, and unstable family environments, which can lead to a cycle of disadvantage. Our work offers a safe space where young people can develop life skills, build self-esteem, and plan and develop a career pathway through mentorship from trusted, experienced and qualified staff. Engaging with Groundwork enables young people to be better equipped to overcome obstacles, set and achieve personal goals, and gain a sense of belonging and purpose, which is critical for their emotional and social development and employment opportunities. 

The work we do with young people plays a vital role in breaking the cycle of disadvantage by empowering them to make positive life choices. It exposes them to new experiences, broadens their horizons, and helps them develop a sense of worth. This not only helps young people build a better future for themselves but also contributes to the well-being of their communities by reducing the likelihood of negative outcomes such as crime, substance abuse, and unemployment. 

Groundwork’s Youth Teams support approximately 1,000 children and young people annually, ranging in age from 10 to 24. Our programmes serve as a vital platform for promoting social inclusion and enhancing employability. 

This equips young individuals with the tools they need to succeed in various aspects of life, including personal and professional growth, education, training and employment

Jacqui Hodgson – Youth Programmes Manager


Northern Directions

Delivers accessible, holistic support tailored to engage economically inactive and socially isolated young people aged 16-24. The programme specifically focuses on those facing multiple and complex barriers to education, employment, and training. Funded by the North of Tyne Combined Authority through the UKSPF, it runs until March 2025. 

Youth Work- CO Durham

Our skilled youth workers provide centre-based, detached, and outreach support to children and young people aged 8 and above across County Durham. 

Move Forward

Move Forward is a flexible, holistic careers support programme designed to provide participants with a foundational pathway to develop the skills needed to thrive in the growing green economy. The programme focuses on engagement, progression, and long-term success. 

   

NCS Year of Service

The programme provides young people with paid work placements of 30-35 hours per week, lasting 9 to 12 months, within their local community. Alongside the placement, participants can access a variety of opportunities and services, including volunteering, networking, and personalised one-on-one support. 

A Job 4 You

A sector-based, flexible “pick-and-mix” programme tailored to geographic areas and priority needs. Young people work closely with a dedicated youth coach to identify “real” job opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. The programme focuses on priority sectors and encourages diversity, such as supporting women to enter construction roles or helping single parents find remote work that fits around school hours. This approach ensures that opportunities are accessible and relevant, empowering participants to secure meaningful employment that meets their individual circumstances and goals. 

  

Blue Influences 

Our Blue Mentors, who are older young people, engage and empower peers aged 10 to 14 to become ‘Blue Influencers.’ With mentor support, these young individuals design and lead social action projects that enhance the environmental wellbeing of their schools, neighbourhoods, and wider communities.