Youth Programmes

Youth Work programmes and activities for young people aged 12-18.

Glasgow Life is committed to giving young people access to a range of learning opportunities and activities. These will develop their skills, improve their health and wellbeing and increase their confidence. We aim to support them to make the most of opportunities in their personal, family, community and working lives.


I've gained a lot from getting involved. I've had the chance to take part in so many things and learned a lot. I've met new people who have become friends and the staff are really friendly and helpful.

Glasgow Life's Youth Work Programmes

The Glasgow Life Youth Development Team have an officer aligned to each neighbourhood in the city to promote and develop community-based youth work programmes. Find out about some of our work below.

Our STEM and Digital programmes offer activities to support the development of skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

We offer coding clubs in schools and in the community that help young people to develop skills. You can also progress onto courses that offer qualifications. This can be through various routes including Glasgow's Code Learning Programme.

Our Awards and Accreditation programme offers accredited learning and recognised qualifications. These awards can help you prove the skills that you have gained by taking part in community learning activities. Skills include working with others, problem-solving and communication skills.

Some awards and qualifications lead to points on the SCQF that are the same as qualifications offered in schools.

We also support voluntary sector organisations. We help to build their ability to run their own groups and give accreditation to their members.

Youth Workers are out on the streets in communities across the city. They get to know young people on their terms and on their territory. We believe all young people deserve support from our youth workers even if they don't go to a youth club.

Young people don't have to talk to our workers, but we can help give them information, support and advice. We can connect them with services and activities in the area that support them. We want to build trust with the most vulnerable young people so that they will accept the help we offer. 

Our services are flexible and adapt to the changing needs of young people and the community.

We take the views of young people we work with to local organisations and forums. This helps with the development of services in the area.

We want young people in our communities to feel valued and included. This is important to us even if they don't access services and activities in buildings. 

Our health and wellbeing programme aims to give opportunities for young people to become healthier. We deliver in schools and in the community and encourage young people to live healthy lives. 

We know that young people often struggle with mental health, and this is important for the team. We offer links to organisations that can support young people and help to develop skills. This will help young people to get the most out of their lives.

Young people have the right to get involved in decision-making on things that affect them. The team supports this by running programmes, training and opportunities to have their voice heard through our YEP programme.

You can find out all about the YEP programme by clicking here.

The team also gives access to the Young Scot and National Entitlement card. The card offers discounts, rewards and benefits for all young people in Glasgow and across Scotland. 

There's lots of benefits to having a card and you can find out more by clicking here.

We also provide support to organisations to work with us in promoting activities and opportunities for young people, so please visit our page to find out more.

We want to develop Positive Pathways for young people by promoting opportunities that develop new skills and experiences. We aim to do this through learning, employability and volunteering.

The team works with key partners to refer young people to progression routes for young people. This can include volunteering, mentoring and bespoke 1:1 support to support their journey into employment.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion runs through all of our activities. We specifically develop and support work with young people who are care-experienced, young carers, young people from the LGBTQIA+ community, young people from BME communities and New Scots.

We want to cut barriers for those young people who are the most vulnerable. We give support to them and help them get the most out of their Glasgow life. 

We are keen to hear from young people and those who support them. Please get in touch by e-mailing us at youth@glasgowlife.org.uk to find out how we can work together.

By celebrating diversity within our communities, we recognise unique differences. We can see many positives in how young people from under-represented groups are making an impact in the community. We see them overcoming problems with a positive attitude.

If you have a question about youth work, or young people's activities in your local area, please e-mail youth@glasgowlife.org.uk. Please include the area that you're enquiring about and the name of the officer responsible so that we can make sure your enquiry gets to the right person as quickly as possible.

The city is split into seven areas within our team, plus one officer who works right across the city. Each area covers a few wards in the city. Unsure which ward you live in? You can find out by visiting the Boundaries Scotland website and entering your post code. The seven areas are:

Lesley Crawford

Partick East/Kelvindale, Victoria Park, Drumchapel/Anniesland and Garscadden/Scotstounhill

Patricia Park

Hillhead, Anderson/City/Yorkhill, Maryhill and Canal

Shona McLeod

Springburn/Robroyston, East Centre, Calton and Dennistoun

Charlie Mooney

Shettleston, Baillieston and North East

Jamie Shields

Newlands/Auldburn, Greater Pollok and Cardonald

Corinne Allan

Govan and Pollokshields

Natalie McNair

Linn, Langside and Southside Central.

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If you would like to find out more about anything the team does, or ask about how you can get involved, please e-mail us at youth@glasgowlife.org.uk.