Better Tomorrows: celebration demonstrates value of youth work in Cumbria

The three-year Better Tomorrows initiative celebrates its first anniversary this month, having been launched by David Beeby, chair of the Cumbria Community Foundation and a former High Sheriff of Cumbria. 

Students Cameron Redfern, Paula Nwachukwu and Faith Barfoot (pictured) and staff from the university’s Institute of Arts have produced a video featuring stories from young people and youth workers who have benefitted during the first year. 

The video was screened to more than 70 guests who attended the special event held to celebrate the achievements of Better Tomorrows graduates, youth workers who have completed accredited training during the first 12 months of the programme.

Based on interviews conducted for a formal evaluation report that was launched at the Better Tomorrows event, dance and physical theatre lecturer Stevie Prickett wrote, edited and co-directed the film. 

He said: “Working with staff, final year students on the BA(Hons) Theatre and Performance programme used verbatim theatre techniques they had engaged with on their programme to produce this film celebrating the success of the project.”                                                    

Vice Chancellor Professor Julie Mennell DL, who is also chair of Carlisle Youth Zone, offered a warm welcome to guests in the Learning Gateway at the university’s Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle. 

Carlisle Youth Zone Youth Advisory Board members AJ, Erin and Ro delivered a keynote presentation about ‘The Importance of Youth Work’ along with Better Tomorrows steering group member Dr Amanda Taylor-Beswick, who is director of the university’s Centre for Digital Transformation and a former youth support worker herself.

Amanda said: “To have hosted the celebration event on one of our university campuses is an embodiment of our ‘in and for’ Cumbria orientation. To have the input of colleagues and students from the Institute of Arts added to the event so wonderfully well, demonstrating so vividly that youth work is important, and the contribution of every single person involved is of value.” 

Academics are also working with employers and other youth work partners to explore the potential of developing a new degree apprenticeship to help drive higher-level skills for the sector and support future generations. 

The University of Cumbria currently delivers degree apprenticeships with employers across the country, to around 1,800 students, helping to deliver frontline workforce skills to sectors including nursing, midwifery, paramedic practice, forestry, senior leadership, chartered management, and policing. 

Better Tomorrows is investing more than £1 million over three years to pay for accredited youth work training, which is delivered by Cumbria Youth Alliance. It also offers grants of up to £75,000 to community organisations that set up or provide new youth work opportunities for local people. You can read the first year evaluation here. 

David Beeby, chair of the Cumbria Community Foundation, (pictured) said: “I am very grateful to the University of Cumbria for hosting this event and for helping to bring to life the vital importance of youth work and the real positive difference that can be made to the lives of young people. Collectively we really can make a difference.”

For more information about Better Tomorrows, visit the Cumbria Community Foundation website here or call 01900 825760. 

• View ‘The Importance of Youth Work’ co-presentation by Dr Amanda Taylor-Beswick and members of Carlisle Youth Zone here.