Youth Group activities on Heath Common

In November 2024 we visited a youth group run by Leeds GATE at the Wakefield Heath Common Traveller site. These groups are an anchor in the community offering a friendly and fun outlet which provide support, learning and opportunities to understand the world. Within these safe spaces, young people find a welcoming environment where they can explore new skills and build friendships.

Leeds GATE have been supported by Prosper for 2 years and in the past 12 months they have run groups which have been attended by 34 young people. The groups enjoy various activities in these sessions including well-being and mental health awareness, healthy relationships, clay modelling, a visit from the local fire service, playing sports, seasonal crafts and baking.

The topic on the day of our visit was centred around healthy eating, with the group structured to the strengths and abilities of the young people. Each activity lasted for 10 minutes with a short break in between. Activities included wordsearches, creative thinking about food, blind tasting, guess what’s in the box and a tricky game of Healthy Vs. Unhealthy!

The young people were highly engaged, enjoying the activities and knowledgeable about what they were learning.

“When we arrive on site in the morning for the Youth Groups, there’s a queue of kids waiting to come in. These groups are popular, they provide structure, and a loose learning environment designed to be fun and engaging as well as educational. We’re teaching skills that these young people can carry with them into their adult lives.”
– Youth Group Leader.

Parents have said:

“She was a quiet girl before she came, she’s really grown up and come out of her shell since coming, she talks more, and tells us more about things she likes and doesn’t like… so it’s nice to hear she has the confidence.”

“It makes them happy, excited, something to look forward to every week. Especially the weeks when we don’t have much money, or the weather is bad, the children can go be children and enjoy themselves without us feeling guilty.”

Youth groups in Gypsy and Traveller communities also play an essential role in enhancing young people’s life skills and confidence, bridging the gap between traditional values and the demands of a modern, often challenging world. By teaching problem-solving abilities, social skills, and decision making, these groups help equip young people for both their personal lives and the working world.

The support on offer from Leeds GATE’s youth team, including these groups, allow Gypsy and Traveller young people to explore their aspirations for the future by providing accessible information about education options and learning opportunities. In this way, the groups are not only a social gathering but a crucial part of a support system that encourages individuals to thrive.

To find out more about Leeds GATE you can visit their website, or read about previous visits Prosper has made to the Heath Common site in Wakefield.