Youth Work Week 2026: How SELFA builds confidence, trust and futures

Posted: 2nd November 2026

We’re celebrating Youth Work Week at SELFA!

Youth work is about so much more than providing activities to fill young people’s time. It’s about creating safe, welcoming spaces where young people can build friendships, discover new interests, develop confidence and feel listened to and valued.

The theme for 2026 is ‘where futures begin’ and that’s exactly what youth work is all about – giving young people brighter futures. At SELFA, we see first-hand how the right support, encouragement and opportunities can help young people discover their strengths, boost their wellbeing, develop skills and more.

What youth work does SELFA do?

At SELFA, we run a range of inclusive youth groups and activities across Craven, giving young people somewhere to meet friends, have fun, try new things and be themselves.

“A big part of what we do is listening to young people and making sure they have a say in what happens in their groups,” says Sally Marchant-Derrick, SELFA’s senior programme manager for Youth Voice & SEND.

“We want them to feel that their ideas and opinions matter and that they can make a real difference. Our Youth Board is a great example of this, with young people working together, developing leadership and teamwork skills, getting involved in events and making connections within their local communities. This group gives young people aged 12 to 18 (years 7 to 13) a real voice in decisions, helping shape what SELFA does and how we do it.”

We need your support: Donate to SELFA

SELFA’s big impact

One young person told us: “When I first met a youth worker, I was finding school really difficult. I was being bullied and it made me really anxious, to the point where I didn’t want to go in. I was referred to SELFA by my GP. I had really severe eczema, and they felt it was linked to how much stress I was experiencing.

“I’ve been on residentials and go to a weekly group. SELFA has given me a space where I can talk to friends and adults I trust. I can express my feelings and I’m more confident. I’m comfortable being myself. I’m listened to. I’m now doing work experience with SELFA. In the future, I’d like to give back what I’ve got from SELFA and support the next generation.”

Volunteer for SELFA
We are a small charity with big clout – and we support more than 700 children and young people every year.
We have a dedicated team, but we also rely on the generous support of volunteers. Whether you can spare a few hours a week, or can drive a minibus to a holiday activity, we need your help.
Volunteering is a wonderful way to support your local community, but it can also open up new career opportunities or help you gain valuable work experience. You can find out more about volunteering for SELFA and register your interest here.

Why building trust is so important at SELFA

“I think trust is one of the most important parts of youth work. At SELFA, we’re not a statutory service, and young people choose to come to our groups. That puts us in a really good position to build relationships naturally, often getting to know young people over several years,” says Marchant-Derrick.

“Having an adult outside of school or home who they feel comfortable talking to can make a huge difference. Sometimes young people will share things with a youth worker that they might find difficult to talk about elsewhere. Knowing someone will listen, take them seriously and not judge them is really important.”

As trusted adults, we can also pick up on problems or issues early. For example, if a young person is struggling with friendships, school or things at home, we can offer support, help them work through difficulties and hopefully prevent things from escalating.

“Those relationships are what make youth work so valuable,” says Marchant-Derrick. “They give young people the confidence to be themselves, knowing there’s someone they can turn to when things are difficult, but also someone who will encourage them, recognise their strengths and celebrate their achievements.”

How does youth work open up future opportunities for young people?

Our young people grow in confidence without even realising! Through our groups, young people get opportunities to try new things, take on challenges, make decisions and work alongside others. They’re developing skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, independence and resilience, all of which will help them as they move into adulthood.

“But it’s not just about preparing young people for work. For some, the biggest achievement might be finding the confidence to join a group, make a friend, speak up about something that matters to them or try an activity they never thought they could do,” says Marchant-Derrick.

“Success looks different for everyone. Those things might seem small, but they can be huge steps for a young person. Ultimately, youth work is about helping young people recognise their strengths, believe in themselves and feel positive about their future.”