Youth Work in the Digital Age: We’re Not Ready.
Youth Work in the Digital Age: We’re Not Ready and Young People Are Paying the Price. Originally presented to the Islands of Innovation project, February 2026 Young people today are the most digitally connected generation in history. They learn online, socialise online, get their news online, and increasingly — they seek support online. But are […]
Safety Net: the essential role of youth organisations
Safety Net: the essential role of youth organisations in supporting young people who are NEET. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald put the issue starkly this week (3rd February). Speaking to Belfast Live on the second anniversary of the Executive’s return, she acknowledged that Northern Ireland’s youth unemployment figures are ‘going in the wrong direction’. The […]
The Fourth Strand: Youth Organisations Are an Economic Asset
The Fourth Strand: Youth Services Are An Economic Asset Remember your first wage packet? I had loads of jobs as a kid. I remember the milk route, the bag with fifty-five Belfast Telegraphs, and eventually a local factory all paying me for my time, sometimes in a wee tiny brown envelope. I loved it. I […]
Translink Youth Conference 2025
https://youtu.be/KZZOgRMOuu8we brought the Translink Youth Conference to life! We loved seeing so many passionate young people engage in activities and discussions. This event was the result of nearly a year of collaboration with the Regional Translink Youth Forum, monthly meet-ups, local forum session in Ballymoney, Glengormley & Park, and five Youth Engagement sessions across youth clubs […]
CyberQuest Project Launches
02 December 2025 CyberQuest project launches to transform cybersecurity skills and youth opportunities across Northern Ireland and border counties of Ireland The CyberQuest project, a transformative initiative led by The Bytes Project, in collaboration with Youth Action NI, Springvale Training Ltd, Foróige, and REIM Training Solutions Ltd, has been officially launched in Belfast. Supported by […]
Access for All: Youth Views on Inclusive Resources and Opportunities
Equal access to resources and opportunities is a fundamental right, yet many young people across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and the UK experience barriers that limit their participation in education, social activities, and community life. Our Voices for Impact surveys have gathered valuable insights into how young people perceive accessibility in their communities, highlighting both progress […]
Revolutionary Digital Platform Launches to Transform Youth Voice
MAJOR NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM LAUNCHES TO AMPLIFY YOUNG PEOPLE’S VOICES ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND Voices for Impact to be officially launched at Bytes Youth Hub in Glengormley on Wednesday, 14th May 2025 at 11am Voices for Impact, a groundbreaking digital platform designed to capture and amplify the voices of children and young people […]
Youth Work and Economic Inclusion: The YouthStart Formula for Success
In Northern Ireland, where youth unemployment rates remain stubbornly higher than those of other age groups and economic inactivity among young people continues to present challenges, the YouthStart partnership has developed an innovative approach that has demonstrated remarkable success in transforming the lives of those furthest from the labour market. Traditional employability programmes often struggle […]
Looking to the Future: Recommendations for UKSPF
As the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) develops itsstrategy for supporting economic inclusion in Northern Ireland, YouthStartadvocates for four key recommendations based on its evidence of impact: Broaddefinition of economic inactivity – UKSPF should adopt an inclusivedefinition that encompasses those not in education, training, oremployment, enabling more comprehensive support programmes. Recognitionof youth work as a […]
The Four-Strand Model: Youth Work’s Place in Northern Ireland’s Skills Ecosystem
Northern Ireland’s approach to skills development hastraditionally been built around three key strands: schools, further educationcolleges, and training organisations. However, this model leaves significantgaps, particularly for young people who have disengaged from mainstreameducation or face complex barriers to participation. This article argues forthe formal recognition of youth work as a vital fourth strand in NorthernIreland’s […]