Our Services
Exodus Youth Hubs
The Exodus Youth Hub is a safe, welcoming and consistent space where young people can relax, build friendships, take part in positive activities and receive support from trusted adults.
Our regular open-access sessions provide somewhere young people can belong outside home and school. The Hub is especially valuable for those experiencing loneliness, low confidence, school pressure, emotional challenges or a lack of safe and affordable activities within their community.
Every young person is welcomed as an individual. They do not need to arrive with a particular problem or referral. The Hub is a place where they can connect, enjoy themselves and access support when they need it.
Location and session times
Croyland Youth Centre
1 Croyland Road
Edmonton
London N9 7BA
Wednesdays, 4:00pm–6:30pm
Primary-age session for children aged 6–11
Thursdays, 4:00pm–6:30pm
Secondary Plus session for young people aged 11–19
Young people with SEND may attend up to age 25.
Please contact Exodus Youth Worx UK for registration information and the latest session details before attending for the first time.
A safe place to belong
Young people need spaces where they can feel comfortable, accepted and able to be themselves. The Exodus Youth Hub provides a positive environment where they can spend time with others, develop friendships and build trusted relationships with our youth workers, mentors and volunteers.
For some, the Hub is somewhere to unwind after a demanding day at school. For others, it provides connection at a time when they may be feeling isolated, anxious or unsure of themselves. Some young people come because they enjoy the activities, while others value having a trusted adult available when they need to talk.
Whatever brings them to the Hub, our aim is for every young person to feel welcomed, respected and valued.
Positive activities shaped by young people
Hub activities are varied and responsive to the interests and needs of those attending. Young people are encouraged to suggest ideas, share feedback and help shape the programme.
Depending on the session, activities may include:
Arts, crafts and creative projects
Music, performance and self-expression
Games and team challenges
Life-skills and personal-development activities
Wellbeing and confidence-building sessions
Study support and quiet learning opportunities
Group discussions and awareness workshops
Digital-safety and online-wellbeing activities
Leadership, volunteering and social-action opportunities
Seasonal celebrations and community events
Informal conversations and one-to-one encouragement
Trips, special projects and guest workshops
Activities provide opportunities to try something new, develop practical skills and discover strengths that may not always be recognised in formal settings.
Participation is encouraged, but young people are also given time to settle in, observe and build confidence at their own pace.
Age-appropriate sessions
Our Wednesday session is designed for primary-school-aged children from 6 to 11. Activities focus on creativity, play, friendships, confidence and developing positive social and emotional skills in an age-appropriate environment.
Children are supported to communicate, take turns, work with others and express themselves. The session also provides an early opportunity to build trusted relationships and establish a positive connection with youth provision.
Our Thursday Secondary Plus session supports young people aged 11 to 19, and up to 25 for those with SEND. This session recognises the changing needs, pressures and interests that come with adolescence and early adulthood.
Young people have space to socialise and take part in activities while also accessing mentoring, life-skills development, wellbeing support, leadership and opportunities to prepare for their next steps.
Trusted adults and informal support
One of the most important parts of the Hub is the presence of consistent, trusted adults. Our team listens without judgement, offers encouragement and helps young people think through challenges and choices.
Support may include conversations about:
Friendships and relationships
Confidence and self-esteem
School, study and educational pressures
Family circumstances
Emotional wellbeing
Online experiences and social media
Personal safety and healthy boundaries
Future goals and aspirations
Volunteering, education or employment opportunities
Accessing further help when needed
Young people are never pressured to share personal information. Support develops naturally through relationships, regular attendance and trust.
Where a young person needs more specialised help, we can work with them and, where appropriate, their parent or carer to identify suitable support or make a referral through our community partners.
A trauma-informed approach
We recognise that a young person’s behaviour may be connected to experiences that are not immediately visible. Some may be affected by anxiety, unmet additional needs, exclusion, family pressures, poverty, trauma, exploitation or difficulties within education.
Our trauma-informed approach focuses on safety, consistency, relationships and understanding. We maintain clear boundaries while responding with curiosity and compassion, helping young people feel secure enough to engage and grow.
We do not define young people by the challenges they face. We look for their strengths, celebrate their progress and encourage them to recognise their own potential.
Building friendships and social confidence
Loneliness and social isolation can have a significant effect on young people’s wellbeing. The Hub provides regular opportunities to meet others, join group activities and develop a sense of community.
Youth workers help create an inclusive environment where new participants are welcomed and differences are respected. Through shared activities, young people learn to communicate, cooperate, manage disagreements and build healthier relationships.
For a young person who lacks confidence, simply attending regularly, joining a group activity or speaking to someone new can represent meaningful progress.
Youth voice, leadership and progression
Young people are encouraged to take increasing ownership of the Hub. They can suggest activities, contribute to discussions, help plan events and provide feedback about what is working or needs to change.
As their confidence develops, they may progress into:
Young Leaders roles
Peer support and mentoring
Volunteering within Exodus
Youth consultations and ambassador opportunities
Event planning and delivery
Creative or social-action projects
Work-experience opportunities
Wider community leadership
This allows young people to move from attending the Hub to actively shaping it and supporting others.
Open and inclusive
The Exodus Youth Hub welcomes young people from all backgrounds, faiths and circumstances. Our work is rooted in an ethos of love, service, dignity and hope, and everyone who attends is treated with the same care and respect.
We aim to be responsive to different needs, including SEND, neurodiversity and needs that may not yet have been formally identified. We encourage parents and carers to share relevant information that will help us support their young person safely and appropriately.
The impact of the Hub
Regular youth provision can make a lasting difference. Through consistent relationships, positive activities and opportunities to grow, young people can develop:
Increased confidence and self-worth
A stronger sense of belonging
Improved emotional wellbeing
Healthier friendships and relationships
Better communication and social skills
Greater resilience and decision-making
Increased engagement in positive activities
Stronger leadership and responsibility
Improved aspirations for the future
Trusted relationships with supportive adults
Earlier access to help when challenges arise
The Hub also gives families reassurance that their young person has access to a safe, positive and supportive environment during important after-school hours.
At the Exodus Youth Hub, young people can arrive as they are. They are given space to build trust, opportunities to discover their strengths and encouragement to take their next steps.
Our aim is to provide a place where every young person can belong, grow and thrive.
Voices of Exodus Gospel Choir
Voices of Exodus Gospel Choir is a creative, youth-led project for young people aged 11 and over who enjoy singing, music, performance and self-expression.
Led by Sophia Hutchinson, founder of MumSing CIC, the choir provides a positive and encouraging space where young people can develop their voices, grow in confidence, build friendships and experience the joy of creating music together.
The choir responds to the need for safe, uplifting creative opportunities where young people can feel welcomed, discover their gifts and become part of something purposeful. Whether a young person is already an experienced singer or is beginning to explore their voice, the choir gives them opportunities to learn, contribute and grow as part of a supportive group.
Music with purpose
Gospel music has a powerful ability to communicate hope, faith, resilience, joy and unity. Through learning and performing together, choir members explore music that encourages them, strengthens community and gives them a positive way to express themselves.
Rehearsals may include:
Vocal warm-ups and breathing techniques
Learning melodies, harmonies and arrangements
Developing confidence when singing individually and as a group
Exploring rhythm, musicality and stage presence
Preparing songs for performances and special events
Creative discussions about meaning, message and expression
Opportunities to contribute ideas and help shape the choir
Time to connect, encourage one another and build friendships
Young people are supported to develop at their own pace. The focus is not only on the quality of a performance, but on the progress, courage and commitment shown by every choir member.
Building confidence through performance
Standing in front of others can feel intimidating, especially for a young person who lacks confidence or is worried about making mistakes. The choir provides a supportive environment in which members can gradually become more comfortable using their voices and being seen.
A young person may begin by singing quietly within the group and later feel ready to take a solo, introduce a performance or help lead a rehearsal. Each step is recognised as meaningful progress.
Through rehearsals, community events and public performances, members develop:
Vocal and musical ability
Confidence and self-expression
Communication and presentation skills
Discipline, focus and commitment
Teamwork and cooperation
Resilience and the ability to manage nerves
Pride in their progress and achievements
A stronger sense of identity and belonging
Performing also gives young people an opportunity to represent Exodus and their wider community positively, demonstrating their creativity, professionalism and potential.
More than a choir
The impact of Voices of Exodus extends far beyond singing. Regular rehearsals provide consistency, positive relationships and a shared goal. Young people learn that every voice matters, but that listening to others is equally important.
Working as part of a choir teaches members to cooperate, prepare, take responsibility and support one another. A successful performance depends on everyone contributing, attending rehearsals and working towards the same outcome.
The friendships and sense of community created through the choir can also support emotional wellbeing. Young people have a place where they are welcomed, encouraged and able to express themselves through music.
Youth-led on stage and behind the scenes
A key part of Voices of Exodus is the involvement of young people in the running and development of the choir. There are opportunities to contribute both on stage and behind the scenes, helping members understand the range of roles needed to build a successful creative project.
Young people may become involved in:
Lead and supporting vocals
Band and instrumental roles
Social media and digital content
Marketing and promotion
Event planning and coordination
Administration and organisation
Sound and technical support
Photography, video and media
Creative planning and repertoire ideas
Welcoming and supporting new members
Presenting or hosting at events
Youth leadership and peer encouragement
These roles give young people genuine responsibility and practical experience. They can explore their interests, develop transferable skills and discover that their contribution is valuable whether they are performing in the spotlight or helping everything come together behind the scenes.
Developing leadership and employability
Taking responsibility within the choir helps young people develop skills that can support them in education, volunteering and future employment.
Members may gain experience in:
Planning and meeting deadlines
Communicating with a team
Organising events and activities
Creating promotional content
Using media and digital tools responsibly
Solving problems under pressure
Giving and receiving feedback
Taking initiative and following through on tasks
Leading or supporting other young people
Representing an organisation professionally
Young people may progress into wider roles within Exodus, including volunteering, Young Leaders opportunities, community events and youth-led projects.
Faith, welcome and community
Voices of Exodus is rooted in a Coptic Orthodox Christian ethos of hope, service, dignity and love. Through gospel music, young people can explore positive messages of faith, purpose, encouragement and community.
The choir welcomes young people from different backgrounds. Members are expected to respect the gospel identity and values of the project while helping create an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone is treated with care.
The impact of Voices of Exodus
Participation in the choir can lead to:
Increased confidence and self-belief
Improved vocal and performance skills
Stronger friendships and a greater sense of belonging
Increased discipline, commitment and reliability
Improved teamwork and communication
Positive emotional expression and wellbeing
Greater leadership and responsibility
Practical creative and employability skills
Increased participation in community events
Young people recognising and developing their talents
Positive representation of youth within the wider community
Most importantly, the choir helps young people understand that their voice has value—both musically and in the wider world.
Rehearsals
Fridays, 4:30pm–6:00pm in Edmonton – contact us for venue address
Current venue information and rehearsal dates will be confirmed when registration is completed.
Join Voices of Exodus
Voices of Exodus is open to young people aged 11 and over who are interested in singing, music, performance or one of the creative and organisational roles behind the choir.
Young people can register an interest in:
Joining the choir as a vocalist
Playing as part of the band
Supporting sound, media or digital content
Helping with marketing and social media
Supporting events and administration
Contributing to creative planning
Developing leadership skills within the project
To join, complete the Voices of Exodus Gospel Choir registration form using the sign-up button below.
https://www.mumsing.com/voicesofexodus
For anyone under 18, the form must be completed or approved by a parent or carer. The form should include relevant emergency-contact, medical, SEND and accessibility information so that we can support each young person safely and appropriately.
Once the form has been received, a member of the Exodus team will contact the young person or their parent or carer to confirm availability, rehearsal details and the next steps.
If support is needed to complete the form, please contact Exodus Youth Worx UK through our website.
Come and add your voice, develop your gifts and become part of something uplifting, creative and purposeful.
H.E.L.P - Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Programme
H.E.L.P - Healthy Eating & Lifestyle Programme is a bespoke Exodus Youth Worx UK programme for young people aged 11–19, and up to 25 for those with SEND, particularly those who may be at risk of exploitation, offending, school exclusion, poverty, food insecurity, low confidence, poor mental health or negative peer influence. The programme has already supported more than 130 young people across Enfield over three years and is designed to provide a safe, trusted and practical space where young people can learn real-life skills that help them feel more confident, informed and prepared for the future.
The programme runs over 10 weeks, with sessions delivered from youth centres and community spaces that feel neutral, accessible and safe for young people. H.E.L.P is built around five key areas: healthy eating, financial health, mental health, physical health, and personal and community safety. Young people take part in practical cooking sessions, physical activities, financial education, mental health discussions, first aid, safety workshops and mentoring. Sessions include topics such as nutrition, budgeting, saving, scam awareness, emotional wellbeing, sleep, exercise, county lines, exploitation, bullying, sexual health, knife and gun crime, CPR, defibrillator and bleed kit training.
H.E.L.P responds to the need for more meaningful, ongoing life-skills education for young people. Many young people receive only light-touch information through mainstream PSHE, leaving them with unanswered questions or turning to peers and social media for guidance that may not always be safe or accurate. Through H.E.L.P, Exodus creates a space where young people can ask questions, learn from trusted adults and professionals, build positive peer relationships and gain knowledge that helps them make informed choices. The programme is not simply about healthy eating or fitness; it is about equipping young people with the confidence, awareness and support they need to value themselves and make safer decisions.
The impact of H.E.L.P is seen in young people developing healthier habits, stronger emotional resilience, better financial awareness, improved confidence, safer decision-making and a greater sense of belonging. By engaging in positive activities with trusted adults and role models, young people are diverted away from risky environments and supported to build skills that can open pathways into further training, education, employment and community involvement. Exodus describes this as helping young people swap “knife culture” for “knives in the kitchen”, using cooking, sport, mentoring and life-skills education to promote self-worth, emotional regulation and positive futures.
H.E.L.P also extends support beyond the 10-week programme. Young people can access ongoing youth provision, group and 1:1 coaching, mentoring and wider Exodus activities throughout the year. Through community calls, parent engagement and partnership working with schools, youth services, local organisations and specialist facilitators, H.E.L.P aims to create long-term change not only for individual young people, but for the wider community around them.
Building Futures: Safer, Smarter Families
Building Futures: Safer, Smarter Families is a creative, practical and trauma-informed programme designed to help young people, parents, carers, schools and communities navigate the pressures of modern family life and the digital world together. Developed and delivered by Exodus Youth Worx UK and Curate Your Genius and supported by LocalMotion, the programme responds to what families are telling us: parents want support, young people want to feel understood, and schools need joined-up approaches that strengthen communication, safety and wellbeing.
The programme brings families, schools and communities together through interactive assemblies, scenario-based workshops, parent/carer sessions and staff resources. Young people explore real-life issues such as group chat conflict, online pressure, image sharing, harmful content, algorithms, screen habits, peer influence and emotional wellbeing. At the same time, parents and carers are supported to understand the digital spaces their children are growing up in, including privacy settings, reporting tools, boundaries, online risks and how to have calm, confident conversations at home.
Building Futures is not about blame, fear or punishment. It is about creating shared language, stronger relationships and practical tools that families can use in everyday life. Through creative discussion, reflection and scenario-based learning, the programme helps young people build confidence, make safer choices and recognise when to seek help. It also helps parents feel more equipped to support their children, reduce conflict and build trust around difficult conversations.
The pilot has been developed with St Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls and is designed to support Year 7 pupils at a key transition point in their lives. As young people move into secondary school, begin travelling more independently and engage more deeply with digital platforms, early support can make a lasting difference. By working with pupils, parents and staff together, Building Futures strengthens the whole home-school-community network around each child.
Ultimately, Building Futures: Safer, Smarter Families is about prevention, connection and hope. It equips families with tools to stay safer online and offline, encourages healthier communication, supports emotional literacy and helps young people feel seen, heard and supported as they grow. Our vision was to build a model that has begun in Enfield and grow across more schools and communities across the country, creating safer, smarter and more connected families for the future.
If your school, youth organisation, council, community partnership or local authority would like to explore delivering Building Futures: Safer, Smarter Families in your area, we would love to hear from you. We can work with you to adapt the programme to your setting, different age groups, your families and the needs of your local community.
Exodus Youth Made - Design and Create
Exodus Youth Made - Design & Create is a bold creative programme for young people aged 11–19, using design, making and enterprise as a positive alternative to boredom, exclusion, anti-social behaviour and the pull of exploitation. The project is aimed at young people who may be facing low confidence, poor mental health, school exclusion or refusal, poverty, food or housing insecurity, bullying, SEND, negative peer influence, gang pressure or other challenges that can leave them feeling overlooked or disconnected. It provides a safe, welcoming and neutral space where they can be creative, build trust with youth workers and discover that they have skills, ideas and value.
Through the programme, young people take part in practical design workshops using a range of creative methods such as recycling and upcycling, heat press, Cricut, resin, jewellery making, clothing, accessories and personalised gifts. The process takes young people from initial ideas, pencil sketches and mood boards through to mock-ups, final products and a community exhibition. This gives them the chance to explore their identity, tell their story through creativity and produce something they can be proud of. Where appropriate, young people may also can sell their work, helping them understand how creativity can become a positive and legal route into income, enterprise and future opportunity.
The need for this project is rooted in the real pressures facing many young people locally. Young people and their families are affected by poverty, trauma, violence, lack of opportunity, mental health challenges, school exclusion and the normalisation of gang culture and county lines. Exodus Youth Made responds by offering a creative “hook” that brings young people through the door and keeps them engaged through trusted relationships, mentoring and wraparound support. It gives young people something positive to focus on outside of school and home; while reducing the time they may spend in unsafe spaces or around negative influences.
The impact of the programme is both creative and personal. Young people develop practical skills such as planning, design, budgeting, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, customer service and presentation. They also build confidence, self-esteem, emotional resilience, leadership and pride in their own identity. For some, this may be the first time they have seen their talents recognised outside of traditional academic settings. By working with professional creatives, youth workers and trauma-informed mentors, young people are supported to see that they are more than their circumstances, more than their struggles and more than the limits others may have placed on them.
The programme also supports families and the wider community. Parents and carers are kept involved through check-ins, encouragement and signposting to additional support where needed, including housing, debt, employability, wellbeing or family services. The project culminates in a Community Celebration and Exhibition, where young people’s work can be showcased to families, friends, local partners and the wider community. This celebration helps repair confidence, strengthen relationships and show the community what young people are capable of when they are encouraged, empowered and given the right support. The intended outcomes include safer choices, stronger peer networks, improved confidence, increased engagement, practical creative skills and a greater sense of hope for the future.
Family Support Programme
At Exodus Youth Worx UK, we recognise that supporting a young person often means supporting the whole family. Financial hardship, food insecurity and unexpected crises can place enormous pressure on a household, affecting emotional wellbeing, relationships, education and a family’s ability to move forward.
Our Family Support Programme provides compassionate, practical help to families and individuals experiencing difficult circumstances. Depending on need and availability, this may include access to:
Food and household groceries
Clothing and footwear
Toiletries and personal-care products
Cleaning materials
Essential household items
Information, signposting and referrals to further support
We understand that young people cannot fully belong, grow and thrive when their basic needs are not being met. A lack of food, suitable clothing or essential household products can affect a young person’s health, confidence, school attendance and ability to participate in everyday life. By helping to ease these immediate pressures, we create space for families to focus on their wellbeing and longer-term stability.
Practical help delivered with dignity
Asking for help can feel difficult. Our approach is welcoming, respectful and free from judgement. We listen carefully, respond sensitively and seek to understand the wider circumstances affecting each family.
Our support is not simply about distributing essential items. It is about helping people feel seen, valued and connected during times when they may feel isolated or overwhelmed. Wherever possible, families receive support through trusted relationships with our team, creating opportunities to identify additional needs and connect them with appropriate services.
A request for food, clothing or toiletries may open the door to a wider conversation about challenges affecting the household. Through Exodus and our network of local partners, families can be offered encouragement, information, signposting or referrals to further support where appropriate.
Working in partnership
Exodus Youth Worx UK is proud to be a member of the Enfield Food Alliance. Through the Alliance, we work alongside local organisations responding to food poverty, financial hardship and wider community needs across the borough.
We are also grateful for the support of organisations including Warburtons and The Felix Project, whose donations have helped us provide food and other essentials to local families and individuals. These partnerships strengthen our ability to respond quickly and practically, extend our reach and ensure that valuable resources are directed to those who need them most.
Partnership working also helps families access more joined-up support. Where a need falls outside our own services, we can help connect people with other trusted community organisations and specialist services.
Supporting the whole family
Our Family Support Programme forms part of our wider commitment to whole-family care. Families accessing practical help may also benefit from our youth provision, mentoring, wellbeing activities, study support, workshops, volunteering opportunities and other community programmes.
This connected approach allows us to look beyond the immediate crisis and build trusted, longer-term relationships. Our aim is to help reduce pressure, strengthen family wellbeing and ensure that young people and their families feel supported by the community around them.
Through every food parcel, item of clothing, referral and conversation, we seek to offer more than practical assistance. We aim to restore dignity, build trust and remind families that they do not have to face difficult circumstances alone.
Need support or want to help?
If your family is experiencing hardship, please contact Exodus Youth Worx UK to discuss what support may be available.
We also welcome support from businesses, community organisations and individuals able to donate food, clothing, toiletries, cleaning products or other essential items. By working together, we can provide timely, compassionate help and make a meaningful difference to families across Enfield.
Workshops & Celebration Events
Our Workshops and Celebration Events bring young people, families, partners and the wider community together through learning, creativity, conversation and shared experiences. They provide welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can connect, explore important issues, discover new interests and celebrate the achievements of young people.
Activities are designed to be engaging, accessible and relevant to the communities we serve. They may be delivered as stand-alone events or as part of our wider youth, family and community programmes.
Our workshops and events may include:
Creative arts, music and performance workshops
Confidence, leadership and personal-development sessions
Mental health and emotional wellbeing activities
Digital safety and online-awareness workshops
Life-skills and employability sessions
Discussions exploring identity, belonging and relationships
Youth-led campaigns and awareness events
Community celebrations and cultural events
Performances, exhibitions and youth showcases
Family-friendly activities and intergenerational events
Recognition events celebrating progress, volunteering and achievement
Learning through participation
Our workshops create opportunities for young people to learn in practical, creative and interactive ways. Rather than relying only on formal teaching, we encourage participation, discussion, reflection and shared problem-solving.
Sessions are shaped around what young people tell us they are interested in, as well as the issues affecting their lives and communities. Wherever possible, young people are involved in planning, co-designing and leading activities. This ensures that our workshops are relevant, responsive and rooted in their experiences.
Workshops may introduce young people to new skills, positive role models, creative opportunities and important information. They also provide safe spaces to ask questions, express opinions and explore sensitive subjects with support from trusted adults and experienced facilitators.
Through taking part, young people can build confidence, strengthen communication skills and discover abilities they may not previously have recognised in themselves.
Celebrating talent, progress and achievement
At Exodus Youth Worx UK, we believe that every step forward deserves to be recognised. Our celebration events give young people a platform to share their talents, achievements, ideas and personal development with their families, peers and the wider community.
This may include performing on stage, displaying creative work, presenting a project, sharing a campaign, receiving an award or being recognised for volunteering, leadership, resilience or personal progress.
For some young people, this may be the first time their talents and achievements have been celebrated publicly. Being seen, heard and encouraged can have a powerful impact on confidence, motivation and self-belief. It sends a clear message that young people are valued, that their contributions matter and that their community believes in their potential.
Celebration events also allow parents, carers, partners and community members to see what young people can accomplish when they are given the right support, opportunities and encouragement.
Building stronger community connections
Our events are about more than individual participation. They help bring communities together, strengthen relationships and create a greater sense of belonging.
Families have opportunities to take part in positive activities together, while local residents, organisations and professionals can connect with one another in an informal and welcoming environment. These shared experiences help break down barriers, encourage understanding and build stronger relationships between young people and the wider community.
By creating positive opportunities for young people to be visible within their communities, we also help challenge negative perceptions. Our events highlight young people’s creativity, compassion, leadership and potential, allowing them to be recognised as active contributors to community life.
Creating lasting impact
The impact of our Workshops and Celebration Events continues beyond the activity itself. Young people may leave with increased confidence, new skills, stronger friendships, greater awareness and the motivation to take their next step.
Families feel more connected to their young person’s development, while local partners gain a deeper understanding of young people’s experiences, needs and aspirations. Events can also create pathways into mentoring, volunteering, leadership, education, creative opportunities and other Exodus programmes.
Through every workshop, performance, discussion and celebration, we aim to create spaces where young people and families can connect, learn and flourish and where every young person has the opportunity to belong, grow and thrive.
Love Your Neighbour Hub – Love Christmas Campaign
Christmas should be a time of hope, connection and celebration, but for many individuals and families it can bring additional worry. Rising household costs, food insecurity, social isolation and the pressure to provide gifts and special meals can make an already difficult situation feel overwhelming.
Through our Love Your Neighbour Hub and annual Love Christmas Campaign, Exodus Youth Worx UK brings local people, businesses, churches, schools, community organisations and volunteers together to ensure that families and individuals facing hardship feel remembered, valued and supported.
At the heart of this work is a simple but powerful message: no one should feel forgotten or alone.
Sharing Bags of Kindness
A central part of our Love Christmas Campaign is the preparation and distribution of Bags of Kindness. These bags contain thoughtfully chosen gifts, food and practical items for children, young people, adults and families who might otherwise go without during the Christmas season.
They are more than bags of donated items. Each one is an expression of care from the wider community and a reminder to the recipient that someone has thought about them and their circumstances.
Support may include:
Christmas gifts for children and young people
Food, treats and seasonal essentials
Toiletries and personal-care products
Clothing and other practical items
Family activities and age-appropriate gifts
Encouraging messages and thoughtful extras
We aim to ensure that support is provided with sensitivity and dignity. Families should feel cared for rather than judged, and children and young people should be able to experience the excitement and joy of receiving something chosen especially for them.
Responding to practical and emotional need
Financial hardship can affect far more than a family’s ability to buy presents. It can place pressure on relationships, increase anxiety and leave parents and carers feeling that they have let their children down. For people who are isolated or facing a personal crisis, Christmas can also intensify feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
The Love Christmas Campaign responds to both the practical and emotional impact of hardship. Food, gifts and essential items help reduce immediate financial pressure, while personal contact, kindness and encouragement help people feel connected to their community.
For some recipients, a Bag of Kindness may also become the beginning of a longer relationship with Exodus. It can create an opportunity for families to speak about other challenges they are facing and, where appropriate, access our wider family support, youth provision, mentoring, activities, signposting and partner referrals.
Powered by community generosity
The campaign is made possible through the generosity of individuals, community groups, churches, schools, businesses and partner organisations. Support may be offered through financial gifts, donated products, food collections, volunteering, fundraising or helping us connect with families who would benefit.
Volunteers play an essential role in bringing the campaign to life. They help collect and organise donations, prepare Bags of Kindness and support the distribution of items to local families and individuals.
This shared effort demonstrates what can happen when a community works together. Every donated gift, packed bag, volunteered hour and act of generosity contributes to something much bigger: a network of people choosing to care for their neighbours.
Our December Hub at Palace Gardens Shopping Centre
A vital part of the Love Christmas Campaign is our physical Hub at Palace Gardens Shopping Centre in Enfield. Each December, Palace Gardens generously gifts Exodus Youth Worx UK the use of a dedicated Hub space, together with promotional materials that help us raise awareness of the campaign and encourage the wider community to get involved.
This prominent and accessible town-centre location provides a welcoming place where residents, businesses and community partners can donate, volunteer and learn more about the needs of local families. It also gives Exodus a visible presence at the heart of the community during one of the busiest times of the year.
From the Hub, our team and volunteers receive and organise donations, prepare Bags of Kindness and coordinate practical support for families and individuals experiencing hardship. The space also creates opportunities for community connection, volunteering and conversations about the wider support available through Exodus.
We are extremely grateful to Palace Gardens Shopping Centre for its continued generosity. By providing the Hub space and promotional support, Palace Gardens helps us reach more people, welcome more donations and ensure that local families feel remembered and cared for at Christmas.
The Hub demonstrates the difference that can be made when charities, businesses, volunteers and local residents work together. It transforms community generosity into practical action, bringing hope, dignity and kindness to families across Enfield.
Creating meaningful impact
The impact of the Love Your Neighbour Hub and Love Christmas Campaign is both immediate and lasting. Families receive practical support at a time when household finances may be under significant strain. Children and young people experience the joy of being remembered, while parents and carers feel encouraged and less alone.
The wider impact includes:
Reduced financial and emotional pressure on families
Children and young people receiving meaningful Christmas gifts
Reduced isolation and increased community connection
Stronger relationships between residents and local organisations
Increased opportunities for volunteering and community action
Greater awareness of poverty and hardship within the local area
Families being connected with wider, longer-term support
Most importantly, the campaign restores a sense of dignity, hope and belonging. It reminds people that their circumstances do not define their worth and that their community is willing to stand alongside them.
Through Love Christmas, we turn generosity into practical action; sharing kindness, strengthening community and helping every child, young person and family feel seen, supported and valued.
Community Advice and Referrals
Finding the right support can be difficult, particularly when someone is already dealing with stress, financial pressure, family challenges or concerns about a young person. Services can feel complicated to navigate, and people may not know what help is available, who to contact or how to begin.
Our Community Advice and Referrals service provides a trusted first point of contact for young people, parents, carers and other members of the community who need guidance, practical information or help accessing appropriate support.
We take time to listen, understand the circumstances and help each person consider their options. We may be able to provide support directly through Exodus Youth Worx UK or connect them with another local service, community organisation or specialist provider better placed to meet their needs.
Helping people find the right pathway
People often approach Exodus because they trust our team, already attend one of our programmes or have been encouraged to contact us by a family member, school, community group or partner organisation.
We understand that asking for help can feel overwhelming. Our approach is welcoming, compassionate and free from judgement. We aim to make the process clearer, reduce anxiety and help people feel more confident about taking the next step.
Depending on the person’s circumstances, our support may include:
Listening to their concerns and helping identify their immediate needs
Explaining what support or opportunities may be available
Providing information about relevant local services
Signposting to community, voluntary or statutory organisations
Making or supporting a referral where appropriate
Helping individuals understand what may happen next
Connecting families with Exodus programmes and activities
Following up, where possible, to ensure they have been able to access support
Where specialist advice or assessment is required, we help connect the individual or family with an appropriately qualified organisation or service.
Areas of support
Advice, signposting and referrals may relate to:
Youth clubs, positive activities and safe spaces
Mentoring and trusted-adult support
Mental health and emotional wellbeing
Education, study support and learning opportunities
Food provision and essential household support
Parenting and wider family services
Volunteering, leadership and personal development
Creative, cultural and community activities
Services for young people with additional or unmet needs
Specialist organisations able to respond to more complex circumstances
We recognise that challenges are often connected. A young person struggling in education may also be experiencing anxiety, family pressure, financial hardship or social isolation. By listening to the wider story, we can help families identify support that responds to the whole situation rather than focusing on one issue in isolation.
More than signposting
Our role is not simply to give someone a telephone number or website and leave them to manage alone. Wherever possible, we offer a supported or “warm” referral, helping the person understand why a service may be suitable and what they may need to do next.
This can be particularly important for people who have had a negative experience with services, lack confidence completing forms or making contact, face communication barriers or simply feel overwhelmed by the number of organisations involved.
Having someone trusted alongside them can make the difference between knowing that support exists and being able to access it successfully.
Working through trusted partnerships
Exodus Youth Worx UK works with a growing network of local services, schools, community organisations, youth providers, charities and statutory partners. These relationships help us share information appropriately, identify suitable pathways and connect people with relevant support.
Partnership working also helps reduce the risk of families being passed repeatedly between services or having to explain their circumstances multiple times. While we cannot guarantee the availability or eligibility requirements of external services, we aim to make the referral journey as clear, supportive and manageable as possible.
Encouraging earlier support
People sometimes wait until a situation reaches crisis point before asking for help. By providing an approachable and trusted place to talk, we encourage young people and families to seek support earlier.
Early advice and connection can prevent challenges from escalating, reduce stress and help families feel more in control. It can also ensure that young people receive the support, encouragement and positive opportunities they need at the right time.
The impact of this service includes:
Improved access to appropriate support
Earlier identification of needs
Reduced stress and confusion for families
Increased confidence when navigating services
Stronger connections between families and local organisations
More coordinated support for young people
Reduced isolation and a greater sense of belonging
Through Community Advice and Referrals, Exodus acts as a trusted bridge between people and the help available to them, ensuring that young people, families and community members feel listened to, informed and supported as they take their next step.
Skills for Families
Family life can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. Parents and carers are often expected to respond to changing behaviours, emotional needs, school pressures, online risks and family difficulties without always having access to the information or support they need.
Skills for Families provides parents, carers and families with practical tools, trusted guidance and increased confidence to manage everyday challenges and strengthen relationships at home. Through workshops, facilitated discussions and supportive activities, families can explore the issues that matter to them in a welcoming and non-judgemental environment.
The programme is not about telling parents or carers what they are doing wrong. It recognises that every family is different and that most adults are doing their best while balancing multiple responsibilities and pressures. Our role is to listen, share helpful strategies and create opportunities for families to learn, reflect and grow together.
Practical learning for everyday family life
Skills for Families focuses on realistic strategies that families can apply in their everyday lives. Sessions are designed to be accessible, interactive and relevant, allowing participants to ask questions, share experiences and learn from one another.
Topics may include:
Building positive communication at home
Understanding behaviour and responding calmly
Creating healthy boundaries and consistent routines
Supporting children and young people’s emotional wellbeing
Developing parenting and caring confidence
Managing conflict and repairing relationships
Understanding adolescence and changing family dynamics
Supporting young people through educational pressures and transitions
Building trust between adults and young people
Encouraging independence while maintaining appropriate boundaries
Strengthening resilience across the whole family
Accessing further advice, services and community support
Workshops may be delivered as one-off sessions or as part of a wider programme, depending on the needs and interests of participating families.
Safer, smarter families online
Digital life is a significant part of growing up, but it can also be a source of worry and conflict for families. Parents and carers may feel unsure about social media, gaming, group chats, screen time, online relationships, privacy or the pressure young people experience online.
Our online-safety sessions help families understand young people’s digital lives and develop practical, balanced approaches to staying safe. Topics may include:
Screen time, downtime and healthy digital routines
Privacy settings and personal information
Group chats and online friendships
Image sharing and online boundaries
Gaming and social-media pressures
Monitoring, trust and age-appropriate independence
Recognising online harm, grooming or exploitation
Starting calm, open conversations about digital safety
Knowing when and where to seek further help
Rather than relying only on restrictions or fear, we help parents, carers and young people build shared understanding. The aim is to support safer choices while protecting communication and trust within the family.
Understanding emotional wellbeing
Changes in mood, behaviour, sleep, friendships or engagement can sometimes be difficult for families to understand. Parents and carers may worry about saying the wrong thing or may feel unsure whether a young person needs additional support.
Skills for Families creates space to explore emotional wellbeing, stress and the pressures affecting children and young people. Families can learn ways to listen, communicate and respond with greater confidence and empathy.
We encourage adults to look beyond behaviour and consider what a child or young person may be communicating through their actions. This can help reduce conflict, strengthen connection and support earlier conversations about wellbeing.
Where a family may benefit from additional or specialist help, Exodus can provide appropriate information, signposting or referrals through our wider network of partners.
Support without judgement
Parents and carers can sometimes avoid asking for help because they fear being blamed, criticised or misunderstood. Skills for Families offers a supportive environment where people can speak honestly about challenges without feeling judged.
We recognise that families have different cultures, values, experiences and ways of communicating. Our approach is compassionate, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the families taking part. Participants are encouraged to choose the strategies that feel appropriate and realistic for their own household.
Peer discussion is also an important part of the programme. Hearing from other parents and carers can reduce isolation and remind families that many of the challenges they face are shared by others.
Strengthening the whole family
Skills for Families sits alongside our youth programmes and wider family support. This allows us to work with both adults and young people, helping each to understand the other’s experiences and perspectives.
When adults feel more confident and young people feel heard, families are better placed to communicate openly, manage disagreements and work through challenges together. Small changes, such as listening differently, creating a clearer routine or responding more calmly, can have a meaningful impact on the atmosphere at home.
The programme aims to achieve:
Increased confidence for parents and carers
Stronger communication between adults and young people
Healthier boundaries and family routines
Improved understanding of behaviour and emotional needs
Reduced conflict and more constructive responses to challenges
Increased awareness of online risks and digital wellbeing
Earlier access to appropriate support
Stronger relationships and more positive home environments
Reduced isolation through connection with other families
Through Skills for Families, we help parents and carers feel informed, encouraged and better equipped, not because families need to be perfect, but because every family deserves access to support, understanding and the opportunity to grow stronger together.
Advocacy and Awareness Raising
Young people and families are experts in their own experiences, but they are not always given meaningful opportunities to be heard. Some feel overlooked by services, unsure how to communicate their concerns or excluded from decisions that directly affect their lives.
Our Advocacy and Awareness Raising work helps young people and families express what they are experiencing, understand their options and contribute to conversations about the services and support available within their communities.
We also work with schools, community organisations, local services, decision-makers and strategic partners to highlight emerging needs, challenge barriers and encourage more coordinated responses. Our aim is not to speak over young people and families, but to help create platforms where their voices, ideas and lived experiences can influence positive change.
Supporting people to find and use their voice
It can be difficult to speak up when systems feel complicated, formal or intimidating. Young people and families may not know who to approach, how to explain what is happening or whether their concerns will be taken seriously.
Exodus Youth Worx UK provides a trusted space where people can talk openly, identify the issues that matter to them and consider how they would like their views to be shared. This may include helping someone prepare for a conversation, understand a process, express their concerns or connect with an appropriate service.
Where specialist or statutory advocacy is needed, we can help families identify and connect with an organisation qualified to provide that support.
Our approach is based on listening, consent and respect. We only share personal experiences or information appropriately, ensuring that young people and families understand how their voices may be used and feel comfortable with the process.
Youth voice and participation
Young people should have a genuine role in shaping the programmes, services and decisions that affect them. We create opportunities for youth to share their experiences, identify priorities and propose solutions.
This may take place through:
Youth consultations and listening sessions
Focus groups, surveys and facilitated discussions
Youth forums and advisory groups
Young Leaders and ambassador opportunities
Creative campaigns and awareness resources
Presentations, performances, podcasts and storytelling
Meetings with schools, services and community partners
Youth-led events, workshops and social-action projects
Contributions to local consultations and community planning
Wherever possible, we support young people to move beyond simply being consulted. They are encouraged to help co-design activities, shape messages, lead discussions and contribute to the actions that follow.
Taking part can help young people build confidence, communication, leadership and decision-making skills. It also demonstrates that their ideas have value and that they can play an active role in improving their communities.
Raising awareness of the issues affecting families
Our work helps bring greater attention and understanding to the challenges experienced by young people and families. These may include:
Gaps in accessible youth provision
Mental health and emotional wellbeing
Special educational needs, disabilities and neurodiversity
Online safety and digital pressures
Safeguarding, grooming and exploitation
Poverty, food insecurity and financial hardship
Barriers to education and positive opportunities
Social isolation and lack of trusted support
Access to mentoring, activities and safe community spaces
The needs of care-experienced young people and care leavers
Inequality and the impact of unmet or unidentified needs
We draw on what young people, parents and carers tell us through our programmes, community conversations and ongoing relationships. This helps us identify recurring concerns, gaps in provision and barriers that may not always be visible to decision-makers.
By sharing these insights responsibly, we help partners develop a more informed understanding of local need and encourage responses that are practical, inclusive and grounded in lived experience.
Turning awareness into action
Awareness is important, but it must lead to meaningful action. Exodus uses its relationships and community networks to bring people together, encourage collaboration and help develop solutions.
This may involve raising an issue within a partnership meeting, contributing to a consultation, connecting organisations that can work together or helping develop a new programme in response to an identified need.
We seek to build bridges between young people, families and the organisations responsible for supporting them. Stronger communication can reduce duplication, identify gaps earlier and help ensure that services are more responsive to the realities facing local communities.
Challenging barriers and negative perceptions
Young people are too often discussed in relation to problems rather than recognised for their strengths, ideas and potential. Through our advocacy and awareness work, we challenge negative stereotypes and create opportunities for young people to be seen as leaders, volunteers, creators and active contributors to community life.
We also recognise that some voices are less likely to be heard, including those of young people facing poverty, exclusion, disability, neurodiversity, care experience, exploitation or other forms of disadvantage. We aim to create inclusive and accessible opportunities for a wider range of experiences to be represented.
Responsible and respectful storytelling
Sharing lived experience can be powerful, but it must be handled carefully. We take a sensitive and safeguarding-led approach, particularly when discussing trauma, hardship or personal circumstances.
Young people and families should never feel pressured to disclose more than they wish to share. We aim to protect dignity, respect privacy and ensure that stories are shared in ways that build understanding rather than creating stigma.
Creating lasting change
The impact of our Advocacy and Awareness Raising work includes:
Young people and families feeling heard, valued and represented
Increased confidence to express needs, concerns and ideas
Greater understanding among schools, services and community partners
Earlier identification of emerging needs and gaps in provision
Improved access to appropriate support pathways
Stronger collaboration between organisations
More inclusive and responsive programmes and services
Increased youth participation in community decision-making
Reduced stigma and more positive perceptions of young people
Through advocacy, awareness and meaningful participation, Exodus Youth Worx UK helps turn individual experiences into collective understanding and collective understanding into action. We want young people and families not only to receive support, but to have a genuine voice in shaping the communities and services around them.
Volunteering and Work Experience
Volunteers are an important part of the Exodus Youth Worx UK community. They bring their time, skills, experience and enthusiasm to our programmes while helping young people and families feel supported, encouraged and connected.
Our Volunteering and Work Experience service provides meaningful opportunities for young people and adults to contribute to their community, develop practical skills and gain valuable experience. Opportunities may be suitable for students completing work experience, Duke of Edinburgh Award participants, young people progressing through our Young Leaders pathway, adults wishing to share their skills and local people who simply want to make a positive difference.
We aim to make every placement purposeful. Volunteers are not only given tasks to complete; they are encouraged to understand the difference their contribution makes, develop their strengths and become valued members of the team.
Opportunities to learn, contribute and grow
Volunteer and work-experience roles vary according to our current programmes, events and community needs. Opportunities may include supporting:
Open-access youth sessions and positive activities
Study support and educational activities
Creative, music and performance programmes
Workshops and community events
Family-friendly activities and celebrations
Food support and the preparation of essential items
The Love Christmas Campaign and Bags of Kindness
Administration and general office tasks
Marketing, communications and social media
Event preparation, welcoming guests and practical coordination
Community outreach and awareness activities
Monitoring, feedback and project evaluation
Mentoring or specialist activities, where the volunteer has appropriate skills, experience and checks
Roles involving direct work with children or young people are carefully matched to the volunteer’s age, experience and suitability. Some opportunities may be behind the scenes, while others provide more direct contact with our programmes and community.
Work experience with purpose
Our work-experience placements help students understand how a youth and community charity operates. Depending on the placement, participants may gain insight into programme planning, safeguarding, administration, communications, event delivery, partnership working and direct community support.
Where possible, placements include a range of activities so that participants can explore different roles and identify areas they may wish to develop further. They may help prepare resources, support an activity, contribute ideas, assist with an event or complete a small project connected to their interests.
We aim to give students realistic experience of the workplace, including the importance of punctuality, communication, teamwork, confidentiality, responsibility and taking initiative. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, reflect on what they have learned and recognise the transferable skills they are developing.
Duke of Edinburgh volunteering
We welcome enquiries from young people seeking meaningful volunteering opportunities as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Placements may involve regular support within one of our programmes, assisting with community activities or contributing to a specific project.
We work with participants to identify an opportunity that is appropriate for their age, interests, availability and Award requirements. Young people are expected to attend consistently, communicate responsibly and take their commitment seriously.
Duke of Edinburgh volunteering allows participants to complete their required hours while making a visible contribution to their local community. It can also provide a pathway into our Young Leaders programme and wider volunteering opportunities.
Developing young leaders
Young people who have benefited from Exodus are often keen to give something back. Our Young Leaders pathway helps them move from participating in activities to taking on increasing levels of responsibility.
Young Leaders may welcome new participants, support activities, contribute ideas, help plan events, encourage younger members or represent youth voice within the organisation. With appropriate guidance, they can begin developing leadership, decision-making and communication skills in a familiar and supportive environment.
This progression allows young people to recognise how far they have come and see themselves as positive role models. It also strengthens our programmes by ensuring that youth perspectives remain central to how activities are planned and delivered.
Opportunities for adult volunteers
Adults bring valuable knowledge, experience and stability to our work. Some volunteer regularly, while others support a particular event, workshop or campaign.
Adult volunteers may contribute professional skills, practical help, creative abilities, administrative support or experience working with young people and families. We welcome people from a range of backgrounds who share our commitment to treating others with dignity, compassion and respect.
Those supporting youth programmes can become trusted, positive role models. Their consistency and encouragement help young people feel safe, valued and able to develop.
Skills and experience volunteers can gain
Volunteering with Exodus can help participants develop:
Communication and interpersonal skills
Confidence and self-belief
Teamwork and collaboration
Leadership and decision-making
Time management and reliability
Organisation and event-planning skills
Creativity and problem-solving
Experience of working with diverse communities
An understanding of youth and community work
Greater awareness of safeguarding and professional boundaries
Evidence of experience for future applications, education or employment
Where appropriate, and following satisfactory completion of a placement, we may be able to provide confirmation of participation or a reference reflecting the person’s contribution and experience.
A supported volunteer journey
We want volunteers to feel prepared, supported and valued. Before beginning, we discuss their interests, skills, availability and the type of role that may suit them. This helps us match people with opportunities that are useful to Exodus and meaningful for the volunteer.
Depending on the role, volunteers may receive:
An informal conversation or interview
A clear role description and expectations
An induction to Exodus and the relevant programme
Safeguarding information and role-specific guidance
Support from a named member of the team
Opportunities to reflect on their progress and development
Feedback and recognition for their contribution
All opportunities are subject to availability, suitability and safeguarding requirements. References and Disclosure and Barring Service checks may be required for particular roles, especially those involving direct or regular contact with children, young people or vulnerable community members.
Creating impact together
Volunteering benefits both the individual and the wider community. Volunteers gain experience, confidence and a stronger sense of purpose, while Exodus can provide more activities, encouragement and practical support to young people and families.
The impact includes:
Increased confidence, skills and employability
Greater responsibility and independence
Stronger community participation
Positive relationships across generations
More trusted role models for young people
Additional support for programmes and events
Pathways into education, training, employment and further volunteering
Young people progressing from participants to leaders
Local people using their abilities to strengthen their community
Whether someone is taking their first step into volunteering, completing work experience, developing leadership skills or sharing years of professional knowledge, we want their contribution to feel valued and worthwhile.
Through Volunteering and Work Experience, Exodus Youth Worx UK creates opportunities for people to learn, serve and lead, building stronger individuals, stronger programmes and a more connected community.
Youth Development
Youth Development is at the heart of Exodus Youth Worx UK. We believe every young person has value, potential and something positive to contribute, but not every young person has access to the relationships, encouragement and opportunities they need to recognise this for themselves.
Our Youth Development work supports young people to grow personally, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Through trusted relationships, mentoring, positive activities, leadership opportunities and creative projects, we help young people discover their strengths, develop their character and build confidence for the future.
Our approach looks at the whole young person, not simply their behaviour, circumstances or immediate challenges. We take time to understand their experiences, recognise their abilities and help them identify the next steps they want to take.
A safe place to belong, grow and thrive
Young people need more than activities to fill their time. They need safe spaces where they feel welcome, trusted adults who listen and opportunities to build healthy relationships with their peers.
Exodus creates environments where young people can be themselves without fear of judgement. Through regular contact and consistent support, they can develop a sense of belonging and begin to build trust with our team.
This foundation is particularly important for young people who may feel isolated, overlooked or misunderstood, or who are experiencing challenges at home, in education or within the wider community. A reliable place and a positive relationship can provide the stability and encouragement needed to begin making meaningful progress.
Trusted relationships and mentoring
Positive, consistent relationships are central to youth development. Our team and volunteers take time to listen, encourage and guide young people, helping them reflect on their experiences and recognise the choices available to them.
Mentoring may involve:
Setting personal, educational or creative goals
Building confidence and self-belief
Exploring identity, values and aspirations
Working through challenges and setbacks
Developing healthier relationships and boundaries
Strengthening communication and decision-making
Identifying positive opportunities and next steps
Celebrating progress and achievement
Mentoring is not about telling young people what to do. It is about walking alongside them, asking thoughtful questions and helping them develop the confidence to make informed decisions for themselves.
Where a young person requires specialist support, we work with families and appropriate partners to help identify a suitable pathway.
Developing life skills and positive character
Our programmes create opportunities for young people to develop practical skills that can support them at home, in education, within relationships and in future employment.
Activities and discussions may focus on:
Communication and teamwork
Emotional awareness and self-management
Problem-solving and decision-making
Time management, reliability and responsibility
Confidence in new or unfamiliar situations
Healthy relationships and personal boundaries
Conflict resolution and responding calmly
Resilience and learning from setbacks
Goal setting and planning for the future
Leadership, service and community responsibility
These skills are developed through experience rather than taught only in theory. Young people may work as part of a team, contribute to an event, complete a creative project, take responsibility for a task or support someone younger than themselves.
Each experience gives them an opportunity to practise, reflect and grow.
Youth voice and leadership
Young people should have a meaningful say in the programmes and decisions that affect them. We encourage participants to share their ideas, express their views and help shape activities.
As their confidence grows, young people may progress into leadership opportunities such as:
Helping plan workshops, projects and events
Welcoming and encouraging new participants
Supporting activities for younger members
Contributing to consultations and focus groups
Representing youth voice in community discussions
Becoming a youth ambassador or peer mentor
Volunteering within Exodus programmes
Progressing through our Young Leaders pathway
Designing or leading a youth-led social-action project
Leadership is not limited to the loudest or most confident individuals. We help each young person identify how they can contribute according to their personality, interests and strengths.
Moving from participant to volunteer or Young Leader can be especially powerful. It allows young people to recognise their own progress, give something back and become positive role models within their community.
Creativity, opportunity and aspiration
Creative activities can give young people new ways to express themselves, process experiences and discover talents. Through music, performance, art, media, storytelling and other projects, participants can explore ideas and build confidence in an engaging and accessible way.
Youth development may also include educational support, workshops, trips, volunteering, community events and exposure to new experiences. These opportunities help broaden horizons and allow young people to imagine possibilities beyond their current circumstances.
We encourage young people to identify their interests and consider how their skills could connect with future education, training, employment, leadership or service.
Supporting emotional wellbeing and resilience
Young people are navigating increasing pressures relating to education, relationships, identity, social media, family life and their future. Some may also be affected by poverty, unmet additional needs, exclusion, trauma, exploitation or a lack of safe spaces.
Our trauma-informed approach recognises that behaviour may communicate an underlying need or experience. We respond with curiosity, consistency and appropriate boundaries, helping young people feel safe enough to engage and develop.
Through trusted conversations and positive activities, young people can build emotional awareness, learn healthier ways to respond to pressure and understand when and how to seek help.
Purpose, values and spiritual development
Exodus Youth Worx UK is rooted in a Christian ethos of love, compassion, service, dignity and hope. We believe every young person is created with value and purpose and deserves the opportunity to flourish.
Our approach to spiritual development encourages young people to reflect on meaning, values, identity, purpose and how they can contribute positively to the lives of others. This may include conversations about faith where appropriate and welcomed, as well as opportunities to practise kindness, service, forgiveness, responsibility and respect.
Our programmes are open to young people from all backgrounds, faiths and circumstances. Every young person is welcomed and supported with the same care and respect.
Recognising progress
Youth development is not always a straight path, and meaningful progress can look different for every young person. For one person, it may mean speaking in a group for the first time. For another, it may mean attending consistently, managing conflict differently, completing a project or stepping into a leadership role.
We recognise and celebrate these milestones. Helping young people see their own progress can strengthen motivation and reinforce the belief that change is possible.
The outcomes of our Youth Development work include:
Increased confidence, self-worth and sense of belonging
Improved communication and relationship skills
Greater emotional awareness and resilience
Stronger decision-making and problem-solving skills
Increased responsibility and independence
Improved teamwork and leadership
Greater engagement in positive activities
Raised aspirations for education, employment and the future
Increased youth voice and community participation
Young people progressing into volunteering and leadership
A stronger sense of identity, purpose and hope
Through Youth Development, Exodus helps young people understand that they are more than the challenges they face. They have strengths to develop, choices to make, a voice that matters and something valuable to contribute.
Our aim is for every young person who connects with Exodus to know that they belong, to have opportunities to grow and to be equipped to thrive.
Jack Patchey Achievement Awards
At Exodus Youth Worx UK, we believe achievement should be recognised in all its forms. Success is not only about academic results, winning competitions or being the most confident person in the room. It can also be found in perseverance, kindness, courage, personal growth, leadership and choosing to make a positive difference.
Through the Jack Petchey Foundation Achievement Award Scheme, we celebrate young people aged 11–25 whose efforts, progress and contribution deserve to be recognised.
The awards help us shine a light on young people who may not always receive public recognition, but who have demonstrated determination, resilience or a positive attitude. Every young person’s journey is different, and an achievement that may appear small to someone else can represent an enormous personal step forward.
Recognising more than visible success
Jack Petchey Achievement Awards may recognise a young person who has:
Overcome a personal challenge or setback
Grown in confidence or stepped outside their comfort zone
Shown kindness, empathy or consistent support for others
Demonstrated resilience during a difficult period
Taken on responsibility or developed leadership skills
Made positive changes in their behaviour or choices
Contributed to Exodus or the wider community
Welcomed, encouraged or included other young people
Committed themselves to volunteering or helping others
Developed a skill through effort and perseverance
Spoken up about an important issue
Worked hard to achieve a personal goal
Become a positive role model for their peers
The award is not simply for the person who is the loudest, most talented or highest achieving in a traditional sense. It recognises effort, character and progress, including the achievements that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Young people celebrating one another
Youth voice is an important part of the Achievement Award Scheme. Young people are encouraged to notice the strengths and positive contributions of their peers and to put forward nominations.
This helps create a culture in which young people celebrate one another rather than feeling they must always compete. It encourages them to recognise qualities such as kindness, reliability, courage, effort and personal growth in the people around them.
Being nominated by a peer can be especially meaningful. It tells a young person that others have noticed their journey and that their actions have made a difference.
Celebrating each award winner
Each Jack Petchey Achievement Award winner receives a certificate, pin badge and a book about Sir Jack Petchey. Winners are also invited to an awards ceremony, where their achievements can be celebrated in front of family members, friends and other members of the community.
The public recognition is an important part of the experience. Many young people are used to hearing about what they need to improve, but may rarely be given an opportunity to stop, reflect and feel proud of how far they have come.
Receiving an award can help a young person see themselves differently. It can strengthen their confidence, encourage them to set new goals and remind them that their effort has value.
Young people influencing how the award is used
Each Achievement Award is accompanied by a £300 grant for the young person’s youth organisation. The award winner helps decide how the grant should be used for the benefit of other young people at Exodus.
This gives the winner a meaningful voice and an opportunity to create a positive impact beyond their own award. They may choose to support an activity, workshop, trip, event, piece of equipment or resource that will benefit the wider Exodus community, in line with the scheme’s funding guidelines. Youth have chosen a trip to Hamilton for 30 young people, fun days out, equipment and resources and music and art workshops with their awards.
Being trusted with this decision helps young people develop responsibility, leadership and an understanding of how resources can be used to create opportunities for others.
Building a culture of encouragement
The Achievement Awards are not only about individual winners. They help build a wider culture in which effort is noticed, progress is celebrated and young people are encouraged to see the best in one another.
Sharing the stories behind each award allows families, volunteers, partners and community members to understand what the young person has overcome or contributed. It also helps challenge negative perceptions by showing young people as resilient, compassionate, creative and active members of their communities.
For younger participants, seeing someone they know receive an award can be inspiring. It demonstrates that positive choices, consistency and personal growth matter and that they too can achieve something worth celebrating.
The lasting impact of recognition
A young person may forget the details of an activity, but they often remember the moment someone genuinely believed in them. Recognition can be especially powerful for young people who have struggled with confidence, felt overlooked or become used to being defined by their difficulties.
The impact of the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards includes:
Increased confidence and self-worth
Greater motivation to continue making progress
A stronger sense of pride and achievement
Increased aspiration and willingness to try new things
Improved leadership and decision-making
Young people feeling seen, heard and valued
Greater recognition of kindness, effort and resilience
Stronger relationships between young people and their peers
Increased family and community pride
A more positive and encouraging culture across Exodus
Through the Jack Petchey Achievement Awards, Exodus Youth Worx UK celebrates the whole young person, not only what they have achieved, but the character, courage and determination they have shown along the way.
Every award sends a powerful message: we see you, we value you and your progress matters.
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Exodus believes every person deserves the opportunity to thrive and we are passionate about creating safe spaces where people can grow in confidence, develop life skills, and realise their potential, but we cannot do this alone.
We warmly invite funders, trusts, foundations, businesses, schools, local authorities, charities, community and faith organisations, and individual supporters to partner with us in this vital work
There are many ways to get involved. You may wish to fund a specific programme, sponsor activities for young people or a specific community, donate essential resources such as food, personal hygiene products or learning materials, provide professional expertise, or support us through volunteering and staff engagement. Every contribution, whether financial or practical, directly strengthens the support we can offer in our community.
Together, we can open doors, create opportunities, and build brighter futures.
If you share our vision and would like to explore how you can support or collaborate with Exodus Youth Worx UK, we would love to hear from you. Your partnership can make a lasting difference.
To partner with us, Fill in the form below now.
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