UPdate newsletter. Unlock Your Summer Potential: Opportunities for Young People in BCP!
Hello everyone! The July 2025 UPdate newsletter from UP in BCP is packed with brilliant chances for young people aged 16 and over in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. It’s all about helping you boost your skills, find work, explore education, and get involved in your local community. Whether you’re looking for your first proper job, exciting new experiences, or just some fun summer activities, there’s something here for you!
Kickstart Your Career: Training & Work Programmes
If you’re aged 16-24 and not currently working or in education, these programmes are designed to help you get ready for a job:
- Spear Programme Bournemouth: This award-winning programme helps young people overcome challenges, build essential career abilities, and prepare for long-term employment. It involves committing to four sessions a week for six weeks. You can sign up at St Swithun’s, Gervis Road, Bournemouth BH1 3ED.
- The Yes You Can! Project (SEND4): This six-week programme is specifically for 16-18 year olds who aren’t in education, employment, or training. It offers access to expert recruiters, chances for work experience, and ongoing support through SEND4 membership. Find out more at www.send4.co.uk or call 01202 022014.
- Green Employment Pathway BCP: Are you aged 18 or over and seeking work in sustainable jobs? This entirely free, one-to-one employment support and coaching programme helps residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole to get advice, vocational training, and work linked to Green Skills roles. They offer funded training, individual coaching, help with CVs, financial aid for training costs, and work placements!
Learn New Skills: Free Training & Volunteering!
Gaining experience is key, and volunteering is a fantastic way to boost your CV and confidence, even if you don’t have formal work experience yet.
- Free Barista Training at The Point Cafe: This cosy non-profit cafe, run by dedicated young volunteers, is offering free barista training, a food hygiene certificate, and customer service skills if you volunteer with them! Interested? Email ThePointCafe@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
- Young Adult – Ranger Work Experience (The Parks Foundation): For 16-25 year olds, there are free Ranger Work Experience sessions taking place in parks across BCP. No experience is needed, and you could learn skills like species conservation, growing vegetables and planting trees, wildlife surveys, creating habitats, landscaping, and woodworking. Contact will@parksfoundation.org.uk or 01202 143724.
- Creative Kids: If you love working with children and enjoy the arts, you can join the Creative Kids Team. This award-winning charity offers free or affordable, accessible arts activities that help children aged 6 and over grow in confidence as budding artists. Find out more at www.creativekids.org.uk.
- Community Action Network (CAN): If you’re 16 or over and want to help people in your community, CAN can help you find your ideal volunteer role based on your skills, interests, and availability. Email volunteer@can100.org or call 01202 466 130.
- Pause Cat Cafe: This unique cafe in Bournemouth aims to improve lives by promoting kindness through animal welfare, ethical eating, volunteering, and community projects. They’re always looking for volunteers, and you can gain experience in all sorts of cafe activities. Apply by emailing hello@pausecatcafe.com.
- Dorset County FA Youth Leadership Group: If you’re aged between 14-25, this group acts as the voice for young people in Dorset football, giving them a platform to develop their skills while making a difference. Please contact them on 01202 688277 or Development@dorsetfa.com to begin your journey.
Boost Your Wellbeing: Support for Young People
- WithYou: This charity offers free, non-judgemental support and advice for young people aged 11-18 (sometimes up to 24) concerning drugs, alcohol, or mental health. They also support parents and families worried about a young person. Their aim is to help you make positive changes to feel better, stronger, and more in control, so you can move forward with confidence.
Youth Forum Summer Sessions: Use Your Voice!
The Children’s Rights & Engagement Team is holding six summer workshops for young people aged 11-19 (up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities or Care Experienced young people).
- Coping with Challenges: This workshop, with The British Red Cross, uses hands-on learning to help young people build resilience and cope better with difficulties.
- When: 24th July, 2pm-4pm
- Where: Bournemouth Library
- First Aid: In this workshop, you will learn essential first aid abilities with The British Red Cross.
- When: 29th July, 2pm-4pm
- Where: Bournemouth Library
- Being a Representative: A creative day exploring what it means to speak up for yourself and other young people, sharing your ideas and developing project plans.
- When: 6th August, 11am-3:30pm
- Where: BCP Civic Building
- Empathy & Migration: A workshop to learn about the experience of migration and why people might have to leave home, focusing on developing empathy by putting yourself in others’ shoes.
- When: 12th August, 2pm-4pm
- Where: Bournemouth Library
- End of Summer Picnic: It doesn’t matter if you haven’t attended a meeting yet or have been a regular; this picnic is for everyone to come together, play games, chat, and have some fun!
- When: 27th August, 1pm-4pm
- Where: Poole Park (weather permitting)
- Media Ambassador Training: They’re looking for new recruits to join their Media Ambassador team! If you have an evening a month free and want to gain practical experience creating content, get involved!
- When: 2nd September, 10:30am-4:30pm
- Where: BCP Civic Building
You can find out more and sign up for the Youth Forum Summer Sessions by emailing participation@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
Don’t forget to check out www.upinbcp.co.uk for more opportunities and to update UP in BCP if you’re now in education, employment, or training!
