Targeted and Inclusive Activities for Woodley's Young People
Woodley Town Council has taken a significant step towards strengthening youth engagement and support by approving a diverse programme of youth services set to launch this autumn. The initiative, shaped by the Council’s Youth Support Services Task & Finish Working Group, brings together three experienced providers to deliver a range of targeted and inclusive activities for young people in the community.
Following a series of discussions by the working group and approval at an extraordinary Leisure Services Committee Meeting on 15 July, a package of youth services is to be funded within the Council’s 2025/26 youth budget of £15,000. The chosen offerings include:
- Targeted Intervention Programme: Designed for vulnerable 12 to 15 year-olds identified by a multi-disciplinary team. This programme will offer structured support including mentoring, diversionary activities, and reporting on individual outcomes.
- Youth Club Sessions: Weekly youth club sessions on Friday evenings during school terms, offering recreational and developmental activities in collaboration with young people themselves.
- Holiday Activity Programme: Enriching holiday experiences for children aged 9–16 from low-income households.
The Councill will be working in partnership with the Storyy Group, Berkshire Youth and Wokingham Borough Council’s Holiday, Activities and Food team to deliver the programme.
“We’re excited to launch this new youth programme for Woodley. By combining targeted intervention with inclusive activities and leadership opportunities, we are taking a meaningful step toward building confidence, resilience, and community spirit in our young people. This is a long-term investment in the next generation, and we’re proud to be delivering something that reflects their needs and voices,” said Chair of the Youth Support Services Working Group, Cllr Kay Gilder.
Youth Strategy
The new services align with the Council’s recently updated Youth Strategy. which commits to providing a flexible, activity-led programme of youth services which is delivered within the town or accessible to its residents.
The new youth provision is expected to begin in the autumn term, with a new Youth Service Sub Committee setup to monitor the service and guide future development of the programme.
