Youth Work
Our Story
Our work began around 50 years ago in 1977 as grassroots community action led by Rev. Graeme Forbes and Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church. The original drop-in club quickly became a vibrant space for local young people - buzzing with energy, music, and connections. Those early days of open youth work and northern soul and punk nights that drew over 100 young people, developed into a substantial and professional youth work charity. Music and the creative arts continued to be very important, alongside tailored employability programmes, a community cafe, wellbeing support and much more. Like any organisation, and like the community we’re part of, we have faced ups and downs through those years, but our journey has always been shaped by the voices and needs of the children and young people we’re here to serve. We are proud to stand in that long tradition, learning from the past and facing the future with new generations.
What is youth work?
Youth work is an informal education practice that supports children and young people’s social, emotional and educational development. It has three fundamental qualities that distinguish it from other approaches:
Young people choose to be involved. That may sound a small thing but consider (a) how much of our childhoods is spent doing what someone else has chosen; (b) what a huge difference it makes to our motivation, perseverance, readiness to take risks and learn etc. when we’ve chosen to do what we’re doing; or (c) how many things compete for the time and attention of young people, including fantastically profitable, global tech companies. Voluntary participation is not to be taken for granted but transforms the outcomes that youth work makes possible. Canongate Youth is a safe, welcoming space where each young person is valued, supported, and free to be themselves.
Young people and youth workers are partners in a learning journey. We build youth work with young people, not for them. They take responsibility, lead, and are taken seriously - bringing all of their resources, knowledge and motivations to bear alongside ours. This isn’t easy, it isn’t smooth sailing, but it creates something very special. It grows confidence, skills, and aspirations in young people and enables their best impacts on the world around them, now and for years to come. The activities, facilities, and opportunities are important, but the real impact is in the relationships.
We start where young people are and with an open destination. We are walking with them on their own road through adolescence into adulthood. Each journey is different and working holistically and responsively means we can give the right support at the right moment. We’re interested in every part of each young person’s life and we listen and work with what’s most important to them. And we’ll do that over years, because none of this is simple, there are no easy answers or quick fixes, but these are remarkable children and young people: together we can navigate complex challenges and build better futures.
Our Mission
High quality youth work that supports children and young people, aged 5-25, to flourish in Edinburgh - particularly in the Southside, Newington, and Dumbiedykes communities.