Rise Up Youth Practitioners’ Leadership Programme
Too many young Londoners experience the devastating impact of violence and the emotional and mental trauma that goes alongside it. To help tackle the causes and impact of violence affecting young people, we need good youth work now more than ever.
Our leadership programme strengthens London’s youth sector by investing directly in frontline youth practitioners and their organisations. Rise Up builds on a youth worker’s existing knowledge and expertise to develop a new generation of sector leaders across our communities.
About the programme
- A free, innovative leadership programme for frontline youth practitioners working with young people vulnerable to violence.
- Aspirational, elevating youth sector leaders as knowledgeable and trusted representatives of the communities they serve.
- Accessible, aimed at those without formal youth work qualifications, with lived experience of the challenges and barriers affecting young people most at risk of violence
Starting early in the new year, Rise Up will consist of one training session per week for at least 20 weeks, plus monthly in-person reflective spaces to help make sense of the content and how it relates to your practice. Around 50% of Rise Up sessions will take place online and 50% will be face-to-face.
Specialist training
We know youth practitioners are highly skilled at engaging and supporting vulnerable young people. However, many have not had the opportunity to receive formal training in specialist areas, access influential sector leaders or develop their leadership potential. We have developed Rise Up to address this, offering a unique experience and developing areas such as:
- Trauma Informed Practice
- Gender Informed Practice
- Critical Response to Violence
- Contextual Safeguarding
- Race and Youth Violence
- Mental Health First Aid
- Mentoring and coaching
- Organisational leadership
Designed for the frontline
Many frontline youth practitioners have real challenges with capacity, frequently ‘wearing other hats’ alongside delivery. We know from previous Rise Up participants that this has a negative impact on their wellbeing, as well as their ability to engage in the programme. Based on this feedback from youth workers, we have removed training sessions from half-terms and summer holidays this year, and have built in extra support and spaces for reflection on the programme.
Who should apply?
Rise Up is first and foremost, for those working with young people and communities vulnerable to violence. We have 100 spaces on the programme for next year and are looking for those who are:
Motivated – to develop their skills to change the lives of young Londoners
Committed – to Rise Up’s weekly training and to their own development
Experienced – in the issues affecting young people and communities in London
Applicants will need the backing and support of a nominator, typically their line manager or CEO. If you apply, we will contact your nominator to ensure they are happy with you attending weekly Rise Up sessions.
Please note the deadline for applications has now passed for this round of recruitment. Please email riseup@londonyouth.org if you are interested in finding out about future recruitment to Rise Up or similar programmes.
