Community Engagement
Building social networks and life skills.
Building social networks and life skills.
Community Engagement
At Third Hand Youth Services, we know that stable relationships and community roots are essential for a young person's well-being and future.
For young people who are Looked After (Children in Care) or have a social worker, frequent changes in placement and school can lead to social isolation and a lack of local networks.
Our Community Engagement service bridges this gap, proactively connecting young people to clubs, activities, and local networks that match their interests. We help them move from a feeling of being ‘looked after’ to being an active, valued member of their community.
Key Elements of Our Service
We don’t just suggest clubs; we provide the hands-on support needed to remove barriers to participation.
- Discovering Interests: We spend time with the young person to identify genuine interests, hobbies, and passions (e.g., sports, music, art, gaming, volunteering).
- Targeted Matching: We research and vet suitable local clubs, youth groups, or activities that align with their interests, personality, and location.
- Practical Facilitation: We overcome common barriers like transport, funding (utilising Pupil Premium Plus or other allowances), and the anxiety of walking into a new setting alone. We may accompany the young person for the first few sessions until they feel confident.
- Sustaining Participation: We work with carers to establish a consistent routine for attendance and help the young person develop the social skills needed to make and maintain friendships within the new network.
Building a Stable Foundation
Community involvement is a key pathway to practical independence.
For young people who have experienced trauma and instability, these consistent, positive connections with non-care adults and peers are crucial for building trust, resilience, and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Our goal is not simply to fill their timetable, but to embed the routines and skills necessary for them to manage their own social lives and civic participation as they transition to adulthood.
Building a Stable Foundation
Community involvement is a key pathway to practical independence.
For young people who have experienced trauma and instability, these consistent, positive connections with non-care adults and peers are crucial for building trust, resilience, and a stronger sense of self-worth.
Our goal is not simply to fill their timetable, but to embed the routines and skills necessary for them to manage their own social lives and civic participation as they transition to adulthood.
Focus Area
How We Build Routines and Independence
- The “Show Up” Habit: We help the young person commit to an activity (e.g., football practice) at a set time each week and stick to it, even when it’s difficult. This consistency is vital for overcoming the anxiety that often accompanies new social situations.
- Self-Management for Activities: The young person is supported to take responsibility for preparing for their activity. This includes packing their kit, managing the small allowance for transport or snack money, and remembering the time/location. These practical tasks build executive functioning skills.
- Practising New Skills: Club settings are safe environments to practice social interaction. They learn cooperation, conflict resolution, and teamwork—skills they’ll need in employment and relationships. We provide low-key debriefs afterward to reflect on positive interactions and areas for growth.