Young Citizens Advice Somerset

Embedding advice in youth work

For people aged 16-24

The history of our work with young people

In 2021 we upskilled advisers to ensure they understood the options and support available for young people.

In 2022 we commenced a research and engagement project.

Our aim was to improve links with young
people – find out what matters to them – and raise awareness with organisations
supporting young people about what we do and how.

We joined Somerset Big Tent and
engaged with a real mix of 16–24
year-olds across Somerset to ask about their advice needs and get their input.

We also produced a regular newsletter,
delivered insight training and attended events.

In 2023 we added to the work described above by introducing advice resources focusing on the issues that young people told us they were worried about. You can find these below.



Since Covid, young people have experienced an increase in mental health difficulties and poorer wellbeing outcomes.

At Citizens Advice Somerset we know that issues with money, housing, work and other things have a knock-on effect for health and wellbeing.

But we also know that under 25’s are less likely to turn to us for advice when they need it – we want to bridge the gap.

 

What’s the plan for 2024 to 2025?

With input from young people and youth organisations we have an ambitious plan to roll out ‘Advice Fist Aid’ across Somerset,  alongside the delivery of ‘Money Matters’ sessions. We are taking an iterative approach so we can adapt and improve over the year.

Advice First Aid

We’ll are in the process of delivering Advice First Aid to youth workers across Somerset.

Advice First Aid training provides all the tools to enable youth workers to:

  • > Gather information and spot an advice issue
  • > Awareness of online tools and information resources
  • > Provide information and signposting support
  • > Identify when a young person needs advice and how to access it.

Money Matters

We will be devising and delivering budgeting and money management sessions to young people across Somerset.

We’ll also be creating delivery packs to support youth workers to provide a range of 1:1, coaching, group and sessional support for youth groups across the county.

We will share the money matters resources on this webpage for wider use.

The history of our work for young people



In 2021 we upskilled advisers to ensure they understood the options and support available for young people.


In 2022 we commenced a research and engagement
project.


Our aim was to improve links with young
people – find out what matters to them – and raise awareness with organisations
supporting young people about what we do and how.


We joined Somerset Big Tent and
engaged with a real mix of 16–24
year-olds across Somerset to ask about their advice needs and get their input.


We also produced a regular newsletter,
delivered insight training and attended events.


In 2023 we added to the work described above by introducing advice resources focusing on the issues that young people told us they were worried about. You can find these below. 

Since Covid, young people have experienced an increase of mental health difficulties and poorer wellbeing outcomes.

 

At Citizens Advice Somerset we know that issues with money, housing, work and other things have a knock-on effect for health and wellbeing.

 

 

But we also know that they are less likely to turn to us for advice when they need it – we want to bridge the gap.

So, what’s the plan for 2024 to 2025?

With input from young people and youth organisations we have an ambitious plan to roll out ‘Advice Fist Aid’ across Somerset,  alongside the delivery of ‘Money Matters’ sessions. We are taking an iterative approach so we can adapt and improve over the year.

Advice First Aid

We will be giving writing and delivering Advice First Aid to youth workers in Somerset.

 

Advice First Aid training provides all the tools to enable people in non-advice roles to:

•Gather information and spot an advice issue
•Awareness of online tools and information resources
•Provide information and signposting support
•Identify when a young person needs advice and how to access it.

Money Matters

We will be devising and delivering budgeting and money management sessions to young people across Somerset.

 

We’ll also be creating delivery packs to support youth workers to provide a range of 1:1, coaching, group and sessional support for youth groups across the county.

 

 

We will share the money matters resources on this webpage for wider use.

Are you aged 16-24?

We really want to make sure that what we are doing is relevant and useful to you… Would you like to be involved?

Find out more or get involved…

Please do get in touch! Drop us an email  [email protected]

Resources Library

These resources are available to anyone who might find them useful. If you’re looking for a specific advice topic and it isn’t below, take a look at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Advice Topics

Money Matters

We are busy creating these – we’ll upload and share them as soon as they are ready.

 

Our Young People Impact 2022-24 – See the impact we made between April 2022 and March 2024 and what we learned!

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