youth worker

counselor

youth mentor

program leader

mentor

Young-Gloucestershire

The first week at YG was great....after that it went downhill and pretty fast.  SOME of the management are unskilled/in-experienced and therefore it felt chaotic at times, especially when management talked about staff to other staff (sometimes felt like being in the school playground).  There is a lot of admin to do which is understandable for a charity, but this wasn't made clear during the interview.  The hot-desking system doesn't seem to work when you sit in the office with Senior Management, plus 18-20 so other colleagues - there are approx 130 staff at YG. 
 Most times you have a desk, go to a session and come back, you have nowhere to sit.  The Wellbeing Zone isn't an ideal place to work when you have people walking in and out and you are sat on the floor most times.  There isn't even sufficient power points in this area.  There are a lot of Mandatory events which includes the Christmas party.   For this type of work, there isn't sufficient support for staff well-being.  There on safeguarding drop-in's which staff can attend regularly, but how can you be honest about an issue you have at work when it gets reported back to Senior Management?  Not all project managers operate the same and it does feel unfair sometimes when 'you' are expected to do things other projects dont; there is no consistency.  I do think that YG is important in the community, but since it has grown there seems to be lack of care towards those already in post.  I know I will get a reply (excusing issues), but this is my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree.  

Working as a Youth Work Apprentice at Young Gloucestershire has been an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening experience. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported by the entire team. The organisation places a strong emphasis on personal and professional development, which has helped me grow both in confidence and in my ability to support young people.

Throughout my time here, every day is different, and the work is always meaningful. I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact we have on young people’s lives, which is a massive motivator.

The training and supervision are excellent. I’ve always felt encouraged to ask questions, take initiative, and reflect on my practice. The team genuinely cares - not just about the young people we support, but also about each other. It’s a supportive, inclusive environment where your voice is heard and your growth is a priority.

What I value most is that Young Gloucestershire believes in empowering young people to achieve their goals, and they take the same approach with their staff. Being part of that mission has been both inspiring and fulfilling.

I would highly recommend this job & company to anyone passionate about youth work. It’s a brilliant place to learn, make a difference, and start a meaningful career.

My time at Young Gloucestershire has been incredibly positive and rewarding. My experience has seen me advance within the counselling team and be given new opportunities which aren’t always easy to access within the counselling profession, the support I have received from managers and peers has been invaluable. 

My role is varied so no two days look the same, I love being able to maintain a caseload of young people while line managing team members and working on other key tasks within the counselling projects, I’m passionate about seeing people grow and develop and my role certainly covers that. 

The support within Young Gloucestershire has enabled career progression, but also helps on a daily basis too, I feel comfortable in seeking support and guidance within the organisation when needed, I know I will be heard and supported wherever possible . 

The organisation is constantly evolving, which during my earlier days I found a little difficult, however I now recognise the positives to this and it also keeps my role at YG feeling fresh and exciting. The organisation are good at communicating changes and providing opportunities to come together to share thoughts, ideas and experiences to assist in shaping YG’s future. 

The team has become more diverse, I value the range of ideas and personalities it brings. The team are great at supporting and uplifting one another. 



No two days are the same at YG, but the staff's energy and passion always work to benefit young people. The work is challenging, and rightfully so, as the teams deal with YPs from all backgrounds and life challenges. The culture is relaxed, and all staff are listened to and engaged through regular culture conversations as well as being updated weekly about what's happening internally. There are plenty of opportunities for staff to undertake training and development above and beyond what is normally available in the sector. The hardest part of the job is not being able to help every young person in Gloucestershire, but most staff take comfort in the fact that the work of YG does change lives. It's not a job for the faint of heart, and you need passion and patience, but if you want a job that provides a sense of satisfaction and knowledge that you're doing good then YG is the right place for you. 

I love coming to work and being part of something truly quite special. As soon as I stepped in for interview I felt welcomed and picked up on the friendly atmosphere and warmth and knew that I wanted to get involved in trying to make a difference and improve outcomes for young people.

Everyone was extremely friendly when I first started and made a real effort to say hello and get to know me. There seems to be a real unity within the team and we all know that we are here for the same beautiful reason; to help and care for others. 

The management are supportive and there is always someone to speak to or go to for advice when needed and questions are always welcomed and answered. 

Watching young people learn, grow and develop is so rewarding and I am so happy to be a part of this.  I love getting to know each and every young person and becoming a part of their journey; building trust with one another and supporting them through difficult or challenging times. 

There are regular check ins; weekly meetings with line managers, regular caseload reviews, supervisions and also weekly team meetings which help to share ideas and learn from one another. There are also plenty of training opportunities and staff are encouraged to regularly update their CPD.


I worked in YG for almost three years, working in several different departments. The work done there is incredible. The amazing powerful and empathetic help that YG offers families and young people is peerless. 
However its not a good place to work. When I worked there there was an expectation that staff be overworked and stressed all the time. That our mental health was a consideration but the work always superseded our health. I was put on a development plan because I had to take 8 days off in a year to take care of an unwell dependent. 
The scope for advancement was very sporadic and seems to be based on favouritism, with no real clear career path. And the management team seem to create cliques.
If you want to help young people I advise you work there because the help they offer is unmatched. But it will hurt your psyche and mental health to work there.

Having worked for the organisation for over 10 years, I have had nothing but a positive experience. The organisation places young people at the heart of everything they do, and continually offers high quality, flexible and holistic support for some of the most vulnerable young people in our county.

Staff wellbeing and experience is championed, from providing a beautiful and creative space to work to a robust suite of wellbeing and support initiatives that promote positive wellbeing and job satisfaction. Staff have access to ongoing career progression opportunities and those who want to develop are given every opportunity to do so. I personally have had various opportunities to develop in my role, and credit my job satisfaction and achievements to my managers who have always recognised and valued my strengths and given me opportunities to use them in my role. 

Young Gloucestershire is a vibrant, growing organisation and it is a pleasure to work here. I am proud to be a part of the team and always proud of the work we do. If anything i wish we could do more, plugging any and every gap that allows young people to slip through the gap. 

I joined YG as a Youth Worker in April 2024 with no previous experience in Youth Working.  From the interview through to induction and becoming a mentor to inspire and guide young people, the experience has been warm, enjoyable, challenging and inspiring. There are no barriers to age in this work. Young Gloucestershire employs those people they believe best suited for the role they are applying for.
Training is on offer all the time and can be bespoke where required. Supervisions are regular as are check-ins. The well-being of staff is important to Young Gloucestershire and from all the places and years I have worked this, is the best care I have had, as an employee. Hot desking and parking are inconveniences ( sometimes) but before you join you are told about the parking and induction week gives you a sense about how to deal with hot-desking and working.
Most of all, quite quickly you are out helping support young people, inspiring and guiding them. Each young person is different and no one session is the same.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Welcome and passionate team with great knowledge within their respective fields. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Personally, the most stressful part about working for the company is the large changes happening currently due to being quite new. However this is not a reflection of the company, it is extremely positive changes being made, but can be stressful on a personal note. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Friendly team with extremely supportive management who are always willing to help and advocate for staff. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
I have up to 4 sessions with young people in a particular day, supporting them with their practical needs to help improve their mental health. I will carry out safeguarding duties where appropriate and required and also attend team building and reflective meetings with colleagues.

A typical day involves spending time at one of the three main offices, depending on your caseload of young people. This can either be at Gloucester, Tewkesbury or Cheltenham. Sessions are held with young people either in the office, or out in the community. This can involve some travelling and liaising with schools sometimes as well as external bodies. The office implements hotdesking to ensure that seats are always available to do paperwork, and for the most part this works nicely. This also means you end up sitting with different people each day and can add variety to a week. The most enjoyable part of the job is working 1 to 1 with the young people as, although sessions can fly by, they are definitely the highlight and can prove to be very rewarding when rapport is built well. 

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Youth worker 17 salaries reported	£25,477 per year
Counselor 2 salaries reported	£28,672 per year
Youth mentor 4 salaries reported	£24,872 per year
Program leader 1 salary reported	£27,547 per year
Mentor 3 salaries reported	£36,450 per year

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