Community shines at Sunderland Youth Glow Walk

Published on 3, November, 2024

A University of Sunderland student has made his community glow. 

Charlie Lamb, a first-year Community and Youth Work Degree Apprenticeship student, organised a ‘Glow Walk’ as part of Youth Work Week.

The event, themed around Youth Work Week’s goal of ensuring “a right to youth work for all – delivering positive futures for young people,” brought together more than 120 young people, alongside 30 staff members, volunteers, and representatives from Sunderland City Council.

The Glow Walk aimed to unite young people from every part of the city. It began at the Washington Wetlands Centre and concluded at the historic Hylton Castle.

Charlie said: "I think it’s important for events like the ‘All Together Glow Walk’ as it brings both young people and youth workers together, makes collaboration more natural and grants young people access to opportunities and the chance to feel heard as well as make lifelong friends along the way.

"The chance to come together has definitely reinforced my belief of the power within youth work, if you can bring 150 people together, you can use this to accomplish changes in your local community and national policies/strategies. 

"I believe there is power in numbers and when young people are given the opportunity to come together, young people can be heard. This was especially the case with the walk as local councillors came along to show support for the sector and the incredible work our youth workers put in 365 days of the year.”

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The event was made possible thanks to £1,800 funding from the UK Youth Collective Fund. This contribution allowed organisers to purchase glowing materials, arrange transportation, and hire a food van.

Several youth work apprentices and local youth organisations also played a key role in the event. Apprentices Keiron Thompson, Thomas Heads, and Kayleigh Richardson represented their respective youth work centres, including Southwick Neighbourhood Youth Centre and Bluewatch Youth Centre, bringing young people from their communities to join the celebration.

What would Charlie's advice be to any other youth workers hoping to do a similar event?

“Set clear expectations of what you would like to achieve," he said.

"For instance, the glow walk was to bring diverse groups of young people and youth workers together, combat loneliness, and spread awareness of the different youth work provisions in Sunderland. 

"It is also important to ask young people what they would like to do and then let young people come up with the ideas and plan for the event e.g. send a survey to different projects asking their young people to choose from a selection of engaging activities.”

Looking ahead, Charlie can't wait to organise more events.

He said: “I am currently organising a Youth Worker Network for Sunderland which will create a safe space for youth workers to meet, discuss issues and successes, and develop our workforce. In these meetings, we will invite guests such as Sunderland Sexual Health Service and young carers. 

"We are also looking at doing something together in the summer such as a residential to Derwent Hill or similar.”

For more information on studying a Community and Youth Work Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Sunderland, click here.