New partnership approach strengthens support and opportunities for young people in Bristol city centre

A coordinated programme of initiatives is reshaping how Bristol city centre supports and engages young people, bringing together partners, projects and spaces to create a more inclusive environment.

Delivered through collaboration between Bristol Business Improvement District (BID), Bristol City Council and leading youth organisations including Learning Partnership West, Creative Youth Network and Bristol Horn Youth Concern, the approach reflects a growing, city-wide focus on supporting young people through opportunity, engagement and early support.

At the heart of this is the Youth Workers on the Street initiative, which places trained youth workers directly into key city centre locations including Cabot Circus, Broadmead, Old City and the areas surrounding Castle Park. Operating multiple times a week, the programme enables youth workers to build trusted relationships with young people, offering guidance, practical support and clear pathways into further services where needed.

This includes on-the-ground support such as a backpack scheme, which helps young people easily identify youth workers – trusted adults who are available to talk if they choose to engage. Youth workers are also recognisable through their organisation’s uniform and ID, reinforcing clear and approachable points of contact for support.

Alongside this, a wider programme of activity is creating more opportunities for young people to actively engage with the city centre. This includes creative projects, youth-led activity and dedicated spaces designed to encourage participation, build confidence and foster a sense of belonging.

From Tuesday 19th – Thursday 21st May, Safer Connections will present the Empty Shirts Exhibition on College Green, raising awareness of the impact of violence on Bristol’s young people. The outdoor showcase will feature 1000 shirts designed by the people of Bristol, bringing the community together in solidarity with victims of violence and abuse.

Initiatives such as upcoming gallery takeovers through Compass Presents, including the Love Letters to Broadmead project led by arts engagement specialists Compass Presents, which has taken over two vacant units in The Galleries shopping centre and culminates in a youth-led programme over the May bank holiday weekend (Friday 1st – Monday 4th May), expanded drop-in and hangout sessions, and strengthened partnerships with organisations like Creative Youth Network are helping to create a more visible and accessible offer for young people across Bristol.

The approach aligns with wider national momentum around investing in youth provision, including the recent announcement of new youth hubs in cities such as Bristol, aimed at bringing together support, wellbeing services and opportunities for young people under one roof.

Bristol is one of just eight cities to have secured and adopted funding through the first wave of the Government’s Young Futures programme, supporting a coordinated, city-wide approach to youth engagement. While the central hub for this work is based in St Pauls at Full Circle Docklands, activity will also extend into the city centre, with activity taking place at Creative Youth Network’s The Station.

Both offer youth provision such as open access sessions and targeted support including a weekday duty service at The Station . These spaces provide a safe and inclusive space where young people can connect with trusted youth workers, access emotional and practical support, and take part in programmes that build confidence and skills. Working collaboratively through the Bristol Play and Youth Alliance, the range of youth providers in central Bristol work together to respond to individual young people’s needs, particularly for those facing challenging circumstances, helping young people feel heard, supported and able to shape their own futures.

Locally, this partnership-led model focuses on investing in the future of the city and the people who grow up here, ensuring they are welcomed, safe and supported.

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Louisa Briggs, Project Manager at Bristol BID, said

“Bristol city centre is a shared space used by businesses, residents, visitors and young people every day. This work is about making sure it is a place where young people feel welcome, supported and able to take part. By bringing together youth organisations, partners and businesses, we’re creating more opportunities for positive engagement, while also providing support where it’s needed. It’s a collaborative approach that benefits the whole city. Safe and Supported Communities is a key pillar in Bristol BID’s business plan and this is one of the ways we’re actioning this.”

For young people, the programme provides access to trusted youth professionals, creative opportunities and welcoming spaces within the city centre. Through consistent, relationship-led engagement, it helps to build confidence, encourage participation and connect young people with wider opportunities.

The project was developed by the wider City Centre Play and Youth Partnership, which brings together businesses, local authorities, education providers and youth services to deliver a more joined-up approach across Bristol.

With further activity planned across the spring and summer as part of the Love Bristol, Love Broadmead campaign, the partnership will continue to expand opportunities for young people to engage with the city centre in positive and meaningful ways.