Mapping and Analysing the Voluntary Youth Work Sector in Wales

Abstract

This paper examines the scope, composition, and nature of the Voluntary Youth Work Sector (VYWS) in Wales. At the time, momentum around youth work was growing in Wales due to significant policy and practice developments such as the Interim Youth Work Board and the Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board. The study intended to comprehensively map the sector in Wales while also analysing how the sector tackles contemporary issues impacting young people and considering sustainability and the challenges faced. A cross sectional research design was adopted with three research stages. First scoping the sector using publicly available data, establishing the scale of the sector. Second, 103 surveys were conducted with organisations identified during the scoping, and finally 3 focus groups were conducted with 15 managers from voluntary youth work organisations already surveyed. The research uncovered the vast, varied, and valuable scope of the VYWS in Wales, highlighting the composition of its workforce, those supported, and the nature of provision provided. The study highlighted the importance and difficulty of responding to contemporary issues impacting young people such as mental health, homelessness, county lines and poverty, but nonetheless evidencing the significant influence the VYWS has in delivering this support. The advantages of using a reactive and holistic approach in youth work were also uncovered. Key issues in relation to sustainability within the VYWS in Wales including unstable funding, austerity, and reliance on volunteers were confirmed. The impact of COVID-19 was also explored revealing varying experiences between organisations and regions in Wales. Overall, the commitment, collective passion and drive to support young people in Wales was unmistakable and supports the endorsement of greater governance, recognition and consideration needed for the VYWS in Wales.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	English
Supervisor	Jenny Maher (Supervisor), Elizabeth Bailey (Supervisor) & Howard Williamson (Supervisor)