The Scottish Government has published a route-map to move the country out of lockdown. This plan will move through four phases, each dependant on certain conditions being met. At each stage there will be some gradual changes to the way you can move around outside your home and the services and support that you can access. This includes returning to school on 11 August, on a part-time basis. You will continue to access learning at home through school and youth work activities. This combination of ‘on campus’ and home learning will also be in place for colleges and universities.

Youth workers will be there for you as we transition out of lockdown. This includes making sure your voices are heard about what you need from youth work and how you need us to keep working together with schools, employers and other services.

You told us in #LockdownLowdown about the issues that concern you the most just now and that you need a range of adults, including youth workers, to help you.

Youth work will:

Help you stay connected, stay safe and stay healthy

• Help you improve and manage your physical and mental wellbeing
• Provide ways to connect with your friends and youth workers to form supportive, positive relationships
• Do what we can to help you stay positive about the future
• Be there for you if you are struggling

Help you to thrive and fulfil your potential

• Help you make the transition back to ‘on campus’ learning at school
• Provide opportunities to develop skills and qualities to live, learn and work
• Offer opportunities to achieve and recognise your development
• Provide opportunities and experiences for employability, with help and support for school leavers
• Help you express your right to be heard and be part of decisions that affect you

How will you experience youth work?

Thousands of young people have been continuing to take part in youth work during lockdown. You have continued to learn, develop skills, have fun and work together to support those who are struggling. Youth workers across Scotland are hugely impressed by the way you have embraced these new ways of working together. The ongoing contact with you has been important for youth workers too, who miss seeing you in person. They are all working together to develop new ways of delivering what you need.

Over the coming months the way you experience youth work might change, as the Scottish Government allows for different services and ways of working to re-start.  We will follow Scottish Government guidance to make sure we all stay safe at each stage.  We are also listening to what has worked for you during lockdown.

We will keep using digital technology

• and other ways to connect with you and provide activities and learning at home

We will keep supporting those who need direct contact in the community

• You will still see youth workers in community hubs and in the community providing essential items and resources for those who are more affected than others by COVID-19
• We will work closely with schools, social work and other services to identify those who need face to face contact from youth workers during the summer.
• You may gradually start to see youth workers in the community while centres and clubs are still closed

When will youth clubs open their doors?

We are planning to have opportunities for most young people to have some physical contact with youth work when schools re-open to pupils. Your clubs and groups will look different – there will be physical distancing in place, you may have to meet in a smaller group and we might use more outdoor spaces. We will work closely with teachers to support you in school, or to create opportunities for youth work when you’re not in school.

When Scottish Government advises that it is safe to do so, we aim to re-open youth centres and buildings to all young people. You might still meet in smaller groups, spend time outdoors or meet with youth workers in other venues. This will ensure we can keep to any physical distancing and hygiene measures that are still in place.

More info

What youth work offers you: https://www.youthlinkscotland.org/policy/youth-work-outcomes/about-the-youth-work-outcomes/

Where can I find out about youth work opportunities in my area?  https://young.scot/search-results?q=youth+work