THE achievements of 15 newly qualified youth workers have been celebrated at a certificate presentation at Dillington House.

The event, hosted by the Somerset Youth Work Alliance (SYWA), brought together more than 50 guests including youth workers, young people, councillors and commissioners, to champion youth provision in the county.

The training was partly funded by a £25,000 grant from Somerset Community Foundation following a joint application by SYWA and Spark Somerset.

Andy Ridgewell, the foundation's programmes director at Somerset Community Foundation, said: “We’re really pleased to have supported the development of SYWA over the last two years through two of the funds that we manage. The first was a £10,000 grant from the Government’s #iwill Fund, and then a £15,000 grant a year later from our Somerset Community Partnership Fund, which is supported by Somerset County Council.

“We believe that youth work is an important part of our county’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, and that by funding the creation of infrastructure support for youth work providers, we’re helping to invest in the long term future of these local groups.”

Lesley Power, among 15 learners to receive a certificate, said: "The course helped me develop a better understanding of youth work and led to me becoming a lead youth worker for In The Mix Project providing youth and community services across Somerset. I now feel a lot more confident in my role.”

Cllr Caroline Ellis, who attended the event said: “Youth work is as important as education and health care for young people’s life chances - and time it had more recognition and sustainable funding.

"The alliance, supported by Spark Somerset, has achieved amazing things with their partnership, setting up the training programme and focusing the minds of politicians on how we support their life enhancing, life changing and sometimes life-saving work.”

Sara Iles, VCSE partnerships manager at Spark Somerset, said: “It is an exciting time for the development of youth work provision in the county, thanks to the collaborative efforts and expertise of our members who are working hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people in Somerset.”