About Us
Collectively working towards an environment where 'outdoor learning youth work practice' becomes fully recognised
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Outdoor Learning & Youth Work
Outdoor Learning and Youth Work play a vital role in supporting the holistic development of young people. By providing a cross-sector convening space, the Outdoor Learning Youth Work Sector Specialist Group (OLYWSSG) will act as a forum for organisations and individuals at a strategic level to identify areas for collaboration and at both a strategic and practitioner level share and build on existing good practice.
Outdoor Learning Youth Work Sector Specialist Group (OLYWSSG) members will be encouraged to openly discuss common practices and challenges, to champion the development of recognised approach(es) that use outdoor learning and youth work practices. Through subsequent partnerships and collaborations, we will be able to build a better picture of what is happening from a cross-sector audience that ultimately will deliver better outcomes for young people and help improve equitable access.
Membership can be outdoor learning or youth work practitioners, decision makers or representatives from stakeholders’ organisations/sectors, for example education or health who have a common purpose; To collectively work towards an environment where 'outdoor learning youth work practice' becomes fully recognised and is utilised as a valuable part of the ecosystem that develops young people’, to promote equitable access to outdoor learning experiences that support young people with their personal, social, and educational development and helps to improve wellbeing.
Free to IOL members and Concessionary Rate for Youth Worker/Other Sector professionals.
UK Youth - Funded Summer Jobs 2025
NYA Safeguarding Standards April 2025 Update and NYA EEDIB Standards
At the National Youth Agency, we believe in the power of youth work to create a more inclusive, equitable, and empowering future for all young people. These standards are not just a framework—they are a declaration of our shared commitment to excellence; ensuring that every young person, regardless of background or circumstance, can thrive.
The Outdoor Learning and Youth Work Group has the following OPEN meetings scheduled for 2025/26
The OPEN meetings will be held on Zoom and anyone working in sectors with young people is welcome to join.
The meetings can be accessed using the links below.
- 23 Apr 25 – 1pm Open OLYWSIG meeting - Themes - Youth Strategy & youth work training – Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82709205654?pwd=HamKIHGOley7xiaoQN4rrPMxymUhsP.1
- 9 Jul 25 – 1pm Open OLYWSIG meeting - Themes – tbc - Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83932443351?pwd=lobjDf8DlngnUzyKEPbeJ0Hmejow44.1
- 8 Oct 25 – 1pm Open OLYWSIG meeting - Themes – tbc - Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82559157024?pwd=KQPVYPPBRtb7rdkJEsfSMRnbWJfHG6.1
- 21 Jan 26 – 1pm Open OLYWSIG meeting - Themes – tbc - Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89164335480?pwd=6V4ZonBJapWaEaHIYe20luDEA4XBat.1
The meetings aim to grow the community of cross sector leaders and practitioners who support outdoor learning youth work for young people, to strengthen capabilities, knowledge and connections. We want to work together to embed high quality and evidence informed cross- sector practice within a variety of professional contexts.
Additionally, the Outdoor Learning and Youth Work working group (a closed group for IOL members looking to drive the Outdoor Learning and Youth Work agenda) will be meeting online on the following dates.
- 6 Mar 25
- 5 Jun 25
- 9 Sep 25
- 9 Dec 25
Existing group members have already been invited to these meetings, but anyone interested in joining the OLYWSIG working group, should contact Sharon Mackintosh at [email protected].
Youth Work and Teaching Toolkit - National Youth Agency
About the Toolkit
Youth work and teaching: Lost in translation? is a new toolkit, which aims to strengthen collaboration between youth workers and teachers by building shared language and understanding for partnership-working to support positive outcomes for all young people.
Written for practitioners and those commissioning interventions for young people within schools, academy trusts and colleges, it explains how youth workers provide additional capacity and expertise for addressing many of the complex issues young people are facing with examples and case studies of effective partnership working.
Building on the NYA’s independent review of the impact of youth work delivered with schools which resulted in their Better together: Youth work with schools report published in June 2023, the resource responds to the rise in persistent absenteeism since the pandemic, with an absence rate in state funded secondary schools of 8% during the school year 2023-24, unmet mental health and SEND needs, and pupils whose families are experiencing poverty that may have difficulty engaging with learning due to the stress of the challenges they are experiencing.
National Youth Agency's third annual National Youth Sector Census report
The NYA are pleased to share the link to the National Youth Agency's third annual National Youth Sector Census report published today, as well as the press release.
The report highlights that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) continues to fill the gap of increasing need. Over two thirds of organisations stated that meeting this need is their second biggest challenge, with the first being an increase in operating costs. In particular, the demand for mental health support has increased more than any other targeted service, with demand increasing amongst 82% of organisations.
A few other highlights include:
The report highlights that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) continues to fill the gap of increasing need. Over two thirds of organisations stated that meeting this need is their second biggest challenge, with the first being an increase in operating costs. In particular, the demand for mental health support has increased more than any other targeted service, with demand increasing amongst 82% of organisations.
A few other highlights include:
- Around two-thirds of organisations report an increase in demand for support responding to violence and crime.
- Around two-thirds (64%) report an increased demand in services addressing employment, training and skills for work.
- Twice as many youth sector organisations operate in the most deprived areas, with demand greatest in areas of high deprivation.
- Almost two-thirds (62%) offer activities for educationally or economically disadvantaged young people – up 9% from last year.
