Makin’IT launch
BBC Children in Need and McDonald’s launch nationwide initiative to raise £10 million for youth work projects. Spiral Skills are thrilled to announce their role in creating safer spaces for young people and driving access to opportunity.
The BBC Children in Need and Mcdonald’s UK ‘Makin It’ Campaign
BBC Children in Need and McDonald’s UK have joined forces to empower up to one million children and young people, to foster community connections and to aid those facing disadvantage. Their partnership is in response to heightened challenges post-COVID-19, including emotional well-being issues, financial instability, and unequal opportunities. As one of the UK’s biggest employers of young people, McDonald’s will fundraise, together with its Franchisees, customers and employees, a minimum of £10 million over the next five years to enable BBC Children in Need to fund more youth work projects and youth workers, improving the outcomes for up to 100,000 young people in communities across the UK at a time when it is needed most. Youth work is crucial for supporting disadvantaged youth and fostering skills, resilience, and confidence. Research led by BBC Children in Need revealed that:
Almost 1 in 2 (44%) nationally feel there are not enough projects in their area providing support and opportunities for them
60% of young people in London say they often worry about their future
11% of young people nationwide have a youth worker or counsellor to turn to for support
Through the Makin’ It programme, Children in Need and McDonald’s are working together to pair McDonald’s restaurants with local youth projects and open doors to community-based youth workers looking for a place to meet young people, share advice, and direct them to services.
what is Spiral Skills Role ?
As part of the Makin’It initiative, Spiral Skills is excited to partner with McDonald’s Brixton Branch to create a safe and positive environment for young people gathering in the restaurant after school. Sessions every Monday afternoon will be facilitated by detached youth workers for young people to connect with, providing them with a space to try new things, learn new skills and get guidance on their futures. The team of youth practitioners delivering this work are some of the most inspiring local young people who work across multiple Lambeth Schools and Youth Centres. They are best placed to provide up-to-date information about the support services available in the borough, as well as being relatable role models for young participants entering the space.
In response to calls from local young advocates and community leaders to improve the safety and inclusion of young people in the restaurant, Brixton Changemaker Abdoul Ndambi developed this responsive Youth Work intervention to protect them. Abdoul got into youth work following his own experiences of violence and asserts, “ I’m trying my best to make sure no one actually feels that kind of pain.”
“ Safe spaces, especially right now, are vital. So many safe spaces are closed down, and that’s the place that’s not school, that’s not home, that a young person can come and be themselves, try new things, learn new skills that they would never have otherwise done. But without those spaces to host this work, in the end, everything is out there on the streets where young people are at risk. ”
- CEO, Joel Balkwill
Spiral is also working closely with Lambeth Council’s Contextual Safeguarding team to ensure that young people and practitioners are properly safeguarded, both in the restaurant and the Central Brixton area.
What is detached youth work?
Informed by nationwide best practices and input from local young Changemakers, detached youth work adopts an informal approach, prioritising trust-building and safety over specific interventions or outcomes. The key characteristic of detached youth work is its focus on meeting young people on their own terms, often in public spaces where they feel comfortable. This approach allows youth workers to build relationships with young people who may not otherwise engage with formal youth services. It's often used to reach out to marginalised or isolated youth who may not access support through more traditional channels.
Detached youth work typically involves activities such as informal conversations, offering support and advice, providing information on services, organizing recreational activities, and sometimes facilitating more structured sessions if there's interest. The aim is to build trust, offer support, and provide opportunities for young people to develop skills, confidence, and positive relationships within their communities.
While the team is prepared to connect engaged young individuals with local youth services or statutory support, the project's primary objective is to ensure that young people have a safe place and someone to turn to when needed. Throughout the year, local youth providers are invited to showcase their organisations to young people and provide careers, health, and safety information. Young people engaging with the space will have the opportunity to shape the kinds of activities and resources they want to see in the space.
the project launched in may
Spiral Skills officially launched the partnership this May, which featured:
Welcome addresses from Vice President Impact of McDonald’s, Andrew Moys, and Programmes and Funding Partnerships Manager Paul Liddell.
A youth panel featuring young leaders Abdoul Ndambi, Jhemar Jonas and Tafari Clark on the challenges young people are facing and the need for safer spaces
Local youth providers The Baytree Centre, Iconic Steps, Black Thrive, Dwaynamics, and Code 7
Insights from Head of Contextual Safeguarding at Lambeth Council, Matt Comins and Contextual Safeguarding Community Co-ordinator, Rebecca Evans.
Special guest Pudsey the Bear and the most free chicken nuggets we have ever witnessed
OUTCOMES TO DATE AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED
To date, Spiral Skills has delivered 10 sessions, which have gained 450 attendances by young people from multiple schools in Lambeth. On average, 50 individuals join the space every week and are increasingly building trust with their peers and youth workers, having open discussions around safety in the community and expressing what opportunities they would like to see in the space. These range from opportunities such as cooking skills, hair and make-up, and the insights into the gaming industry.
As we kick off our pilot sessions and continue to establish trust within the space, we're reaching out to our valued partners and services who share our mission of empowering young people in Lambeth. Supporting young people in accessing opportunities is central to Spiral’s mission, and we’re calling out to local youth services to get involved and showcase their services.
We’re calling on local youth organisations and employers to join our sessions and showcase their opportunities to young participants.
If you believe in supporting young people’s access to opportunities, contact the Director of Programmes, Ben Kahn, at ben@spiralskills.co.uk.
