moderate

Start in 1–2 months

Children

Crime

Education

Youth activity or mentoring

Safe, regular activity for young people — with safeguarding first, fun second.

What success looks like

A weekly or holiday programme with trained adults, clear rules, and a place young people choose to be.

Who it helps

Young people with little free activity nearby; parents needing trusted hours; streets that need less boredom-fuelled trouble.

Safeguarding: Partner and train before you go public. You are not a clinical service. Read every safety line below before advertising anything involving young people or mental health.

Open this guide from a ward’s Take action tab to load councillor and Area Partnership contacts for that place.

First 60 minutes — tick as you go

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List existing youth offers in the ward
Speak to one youth worker or school contact
Read PVG requirements for your role
Draft a one-page session idea with age range
Do not promote a start date until safeguarding is real

Your first week — stretch goals

List existing youth offers in the ward
Speak to one youth worker or school contact
Read PVG requirements for your role
Draft a one-page session idea with age range
Do not promote a start date until safeguarding is real

Step-by-step plan

Follow the phases in order. Finish one before expanding.

Phase 1

Weeks 1–3

Listen first

1.1Ask young people what they want

Not a 20-page survey — a pizza night conversation or short interviews with consent.

1.2Map what already exists

Duplicate kills trust. Fill gaps (e.g. Friday nights) rather than rival Tuesday football.

1.3Find a host organisation

If you are new, partner with a constituted youth group, church, or HA that already has safeguarding.

Phase 2

Weeks 3–6

Set the safe frame

2.1Safeguarding policy + PVG

Do not advertise sessions until checks and policies exist.

2.2Book venue and fixed slot

Same place, same time. Reliability is the product.

2.3Recruit adults with skills

Football coach, cook, artist, mentor — not only “helpful neighbours”.

Phase 3

Months 2–6

Run and improve

3.1Soft launch

Small numbers first. Learn the room dynamics before a big promo.

3.2Track attendance simply

Numbers + one sentence “what worked”. Funders love this.

3.3Plan holidays early

Summer and October weeks need funding and staffing months ahead.

Kit & materials

PVG / safeguarding checks

Essential before unsupervised work with under-18s

Venue with toilets & access

School, community centre, HA hall, church room

Session plan + register

Who attended, emergencies, consent

First aid + named first-aider

At least one per session

Activities kit

Sports, arts, cooking, music — match what young people asked for

Phone / social media policy

Clear rules agreed with parents

Council & institutional help

Youth work teams & Glasgow Life (or local equivalent)

Ask what already runs in the ward. Partnering is faster and safer than starting cold.

School / campus links

Headteachers and pastoral staff know who needs after-school options. Offer a clear proposal.

Community safety partners

Where youth ASB is an issue, community safety may support diversion activity — keep it voluntary and positive.

Safety & non‑negotiables

PVG scheme membership for relevant roles
Two-adult rule; never one adult alone with one young person
Written consent and emergency contacts
Clear photos/social media policy
Insurance and venue risk assessment

Common mistakes

Skipping PVG “just for a trial”
Promising free food/trips you cannot fund
Adults talking at young people instead of co-designing
One exhausted volunteer holding everything

Funding that fits this action

Youth / holiday programme funds · Area Partnership diversion projects · Young Start and national youth funds when open · HA community budgets on estates · Tap a card to open the funder website.

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