Feasibility study report published as review of youth work funding in Wales gets underway

The feasibility study report into youth work funding in Wales has been published.

Appointed by the Welsh Government, three Welsh Universities have been tasked with undertaking a full review of youth work funding within the voluntary and maintained youth work sectors across Wales. Led by Dr Darrel Williams from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), academics from Wrexham University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and UWTSD have begun their research with the aim of identifying a sustainable model for future youth work in Wales.

There are four key objectives for the funding review which comprise three phases of research to be undertaken. The aim of ‘phase one’ of the funding review was to provide a clear framework for the research to be undertaken including a rapid evidence assessment (REA) of available literature, research on youth work practice and a look at how previous researchers have analysed funding and models of measuring value for money in Wales, the UK and beyond. 

This initial feasibility study was undertaken in four local authority areas including Wrexham, Powys, Swansea, Newport. Dr Darrel Williams, Senior Lecturer, UWTSD’s Youth and Community Work programmes, commented:

“We’re delighted to be able to publish this initial feasibility study report.  The youth work funding review will provide a real opportunity for us to research youth work across Wales.

We have already learned a great deal about how youth workers are helping young people across communities. Youth workers are supporting young people in so many ways by arranging activities, mental health support, fitness, physical activity, helping with housing support and supporting young people to achieve in school. We are so impressed by all the ways youth workers are supporting young people in our communities.” 

During ‘phase two’ of the review there will be an opportunity for the research team to build on the information and evidence published in the feasibility study. The team will now focus on the key areas raised in ‘phase 1’ by gathering more in-depth evidence from voluntary and maintained youth work settings across the four local authority areas.

The review will also sample voluntary sector organisations involved in the delivery of youth work provision in Wales and will include voluntary organisations not in receipt of any public funding. Some of these voluntary sector organisations will have a national footprint operating across multiple local authority areas, whilst others will have a local profile.

Looking ahead to the next phase of the review, Dr Williams, added:

“The research team is now looking forward to the next phase and visiting every area of Wales to gather new data for this vital review.

Some of our initial findings have been extremely interesting and we’re ready to explore some of these matters further during phase two of the project. 

After this work, the final phase (Phase 3) of the review will include a cost benefit analysis aimed at establishing the impact and economic effectiveness of youth work funding. We’ll also seek to identify good practice in relation to the funding of local youth work services for the future as we work towards identifying a sustainable model for future youth work in Wales.” 

You can read the ‘Phase 1’ feasibility report on gov.wales. 

If you’d like to find out more about the research or if you are involved in youth work in Wales, and want to be involved in phase 2, please get in touch with Dr Darrel Williams – D.G.Williams@uwtsd.ac.uk

Further Information

Arwel Lloyd

Principal PR and Communications Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email:  arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467076