Youthwork
Our youthwork plays an important role in reducing social isolation and loneliness, improving mental health and wellbeing, and creating a sense of belonging.
This includes a wide range of youth and sporting activities across several weekly youth groups, our young women’s groups, trips during the school holidays and annual residentials. Our youth participation approach means that our activities are directly informed by what young people want.
How do our activities support young refugees?
Our youth activities provide a vital space for young refugees to have fun, meet other young people from similar and different backgrounds, access support and develop skills. This includes English language support, which runs through all our activities informally, with more formal learning opportunities available.
The young people we work with form trusting relationships with staff and each other, building their own support network and community. It is through these relationships, young people’s resilience, and sustained support, that young people realise their rights, navigate a complex asylum system and safely rebuild their lives.
Residentials
Young Roots runs residentials with young people once or twice a year. Young people regularly tell us how these opportunities to leave London and temporarily forget their daily struggles, supports their wellbeing.
Residentials also encourage young people to work in teams, in a safe and collaborative environment, where they support each other and youth workers, leading to a greater sense of agency and connection.
Trips
We run on average 10-20 trips annually with young people. Young people are supported to make decisions together about these trips, from planning travel, activities and accommodation, to projecting costs.
Past trips have included swimming, Go- Ape, bowling, canoeing, mini-golf and trips to the seaside.
Trips play an important role in young refugees’ integration and sense of belonging, giving them opportunities to explore culture and become increasingly comfortable with the environment.
Young Women’s Group
Our young women’s group creates a supportive space for young women to build confidence, develop new skills and feel empowered to take an active role in shaping their own experiences.
Activities are tailored to the interests and needs of the young women who attend. In line with our youth participation approach, they work together to share ideas and make decisions about future sessions and trips, including planning travel, costs and coordination.
Past activities have included yoga and dance classes, arts sessions, a poetry project, healthy relationships workshops, and trips such as Brighton, London Zoo and picnics in the local park.
Youth Hubs
Our youth hubs run weekly in both Croydon and Brent for young people aged 14 to 25. Young people are encouraged to take an active role in decision‑making and planning at the hubs, helping them build leadership skills and deepen their involvement across Young Roots.
The hubs offer a welcoming space to have fun, make new friends and take part in activities that support their wellbeing. Sessions provide opportunities to learn new skills, get creative and join group discussions on topics that matter to them. We also offer English‑language mentoring, ESOL support and homework help in a relaxed environment.
Youth workers are available for one‑to‑one support, giving young people the chance to talk through challenges in their lives and access guidance when they need it. Alongside this, young people can access our one‑to‑one casework service, as well as expert legal and therapeutic support through our partners.
Sports Club
Our weekly sports sessions in Brent give young people access to outdoor space where they can play football, table tennis and cricket together. These sessions offer a fun, energetic environment where young people can build confidence, stay active and enjoy time with friends.
Sport plays an important role in reducing social isolation, helping young people feel more connected and part of a community. It also supports the development of language and communication skills, as young people work together, make decisions as a team and build trust. This encourages positive engagement, giving young people a space to relax, express themselves and take part in activities that support both their physical and emotional wellbeing.