At a Glance
- Tasks: Empower young people through outreach, group work, and community projects.
- Company: Join The Abingdon Bridge, a passionate team dedicated to youth empowerment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 5 weeks holiday, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Supportive environment that values creativity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and foster community connections.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people, strong relationship-building skills, and empathy.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 38000 £ per year.
Salary: £32,000–£38,000 (pro rata, based on agreed hours)
Contract Type: Part time (funding secured for one year, with the intention to extend to a permanent role subject to impact)
Hours: 12 – 18 hours a week
About Us
At The Abingdon Bridge, we are dedicated to empowering young people to reach their full potential. Our mission revolves around improving young people's aspirations, decreasing their involvement in risky behaviours, enhancing their overall wellbeing, and fostering a sense of belonging and commitment to their communities. We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive and contribute positively to society.
The Role
We are excited to offer this newly shaped role for an experienced Youth Worker who is passionate about building meaningful relationships with young people and creating spaces where they feel safe, heard, and empowered. This role is ideal for someone who believes deeply in the power of connection, trust, and empathy. Someone who wants to make a lasting difference in young people’s lives.
The Senior Youth Worker will work directly alongside young people, particularly those who are more marginalised or ‘harder to reach’, offering consistent support, encouragement, and belief in their potential. The heart of this role is relationship-based youth work. You will hold space for young people, support them to explore their aspirations, and help them navigate challenges safely and confidently, while supporting them to act, belong and commit to their community.
The three core outcomes of this role are to:
- Improve young people’s wellbeing and emotional resilience
- Reduce risky behaviours by offering trusted support and positive alternatives
- Increase aspiration and help young people feel valued, connected, and hopeful about their future
Key Responsibilities
- Support and deliver outreach work, community-based drop-ins, and detached youth work
- Facilitate group work across a range of themes including wellbeing, identity, belonging, and aspiration
- Contribute to intergenerational and community-based projects that strengthen connection and understanding
- Support delivery of community events and preventative wellbeing initiatives
Creativity & Programme Development
- Bring creativity and fresh thinking to develop activities and approaches that resonate with young people
- Shape and adapt programmes in response to young people’s voices and lived experiences
- Explore new ways of engaging young people that create lasting, meaningful impact
Leadership & Team Support
- Guide and support to junior staff and/or volunteers
- Model excellent youth work practice grounded in empathy, boundaries, and reflective practice
- Contribute to team learning, reflection, and continuous improvement
About You
You are someone who genuinely cares about young people, about fairness, and about creating spaces where people feel safe to be themselves. You will bring:
- Proven experience working with young people aged 11–25, particularly those who may feel excluded, marginalised, or unheard.
- A strong ability to build authentic, trusting relationships
- High levels of empathy, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness
- Confidence in holding space for young people’s emotions without judgement or agenda
- Resilience, warmth, and a calm presence, even in challenging moments
- A belief in young people’s potential, even when they struggle to see it themselves
- Be a self-starter who can work independently while being a supportive team member
- Feel comfortable contributing ideas and shaping new ways of working
- Share TAB’s values around safeguarding, ethics, and the wellbeing of young people and communities
What We Offer
By joining TAB, you will become part of a passionate, reflective, and supportive team that values creativity, learning, and human connection. We will invest in you through high-quality supervision, training, and the freedom to innovate. This is a role for someone who wants to do youth work with heart—someone who understands that real change starts with trust, time, and being truly present.
Benefits include:
- 5 weeks holiday per year pro rata + public holidays pro rata
- NEST employer pension scheme
- A competitive salary and benefits package.
- Opportunities for professional development and training.
- A supportive and inclusive work environment.
- The chance to make a real difference in the lives of young people and the community.
We warmly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation.
Senior Youth Worker in Abingdon employer: Theabingdonbridge
Contact Detail:
Theabingdonbridge Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Youth Worker in Abingdon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research The Abingdon Bridge and understand their mission. When you show up for an interview, drop in some knowledge about their work with young people. It’ll show you’re genuinely interested and ready to make a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former staff on LinkedIn or at community events. Ask them about their experiences and what they love about working there. This insider info can give you a leg up during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your stories! Prepare examples of how you’ve built relationships with young people in the past. Whether it’s through outreach or group work, real-life experiences will resonate more than just talking about qualifications.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. Mention something specific from your chat that excited you about the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Youth Worker in Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: We want to hear your true self in your application! Share your experiences and passion for youth work. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through—this is about connecting with us and the young people you'll support.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the key responsibilities and outcomes mentioned in the job description. Show us how you can bring creativity and empathy to the role, and how you’ve made a difference in similar situations before.
Show Your Commitment: We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about young people and their wellbeing. Use your application to demonstrate your dedication to creating safe spaces and building trust. Share specific examples of how you've done this in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward—just like we like it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Theabingdonbridge
✨Know Your Why
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on why you want to work as a Senior Youth Worker. Think about your passion for empowering young people and how your values align with The Abingdon Bridge's mission. Being able to articulate this will show your genuine interest and commitment.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to build trusting relationships with young people. Highlight instances where you've successfully supported those who are marginalised or faced challenges, as this aligns perfectly with the role's core responsibilities.
✨Emphasise Empathy and Connection
During the interview, focus on your emotional intelligence and ability to hold space for young people's emotions. Share stories that illustrate your empathetic approach and how you've created safe environments for young people to express themselves without judgement.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
The role requires creativity in programme development, so come prepared with ideas on how to engage young people effectively. Think about activities or approaches that resonate with them and be ready to discuss how you would adapt programmes based on their feedback and lived experiences.