OUR HISTORY
Our Journey
Known to our friends as CYP, our story began in 2016 as a small voluntary youth group launched by Colwall Community Church. Led by volunteers and a dedicated youth worker, it quickly became a place where local young people could belong, feel safe, and be supported.
By 2019, the need had grown beyond what a volunteer service could hold alone. With funding from BBC Children in Need, we were able to appoint a full time youth worker, and Colwall Youth Project was truly born, beginning a new chapter of professional youth work rooted in community care.
From 2020 onwards, support from the National Lottery Community Fund, the Counselling, Learning and Development Trust (now Onside Advocacy), and a wide range of charitable partners enabled CYP to expand into mental health and wellbeing mentoring, education programmes, outreach, and year round provision across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
In 2022, we became an independent charity, and with the continued support of funders, community organisations, local schools, and groups across the region, CYP has continued to grow into a trusted lifeline for hundreds of young people.
Our journey is one shaped by partnership, belief, and the young people who lead us forward, as shown in the timeline below.
Our Timeline
March 2016
Colwall Community Church – Launched a voluntary youth group run by volunteers to serve young people locally in Colwall.
December 2019
BBC Children in Need – Funded a full time youth worker, and Colwall Youth Project was born out of the church’s voluntary youth group, inheriting 16 young people.
March 2020
Growth milestone – CYP was supporting 25 young people.
April 2020
The National Lottery Community Fund – Funded activities and support during the coronavirus pandemic, helping CYP expand rapidly and reduce isolation during lockdown.
May 2020
The Hygiene Bank – Began supplying free hygiene products to support young people experiencing poverty and hardship.
June 2020
Woodward Charitable Trust – Funded CYP’s first summer programme, supporting young people through the summer holidays during Covid restrictions.
July 2020
Delivery milestone – CYP held its first ever summer programme despite a national Covid lockdown.
September 2020
The Eveson Trust – Funded Skills4Life and one to one support, helping young people facing learning loss and mental health pressures during school closures.
CLD Trust – Seconded two youth workers to strengthen mental health provision and reduce waiting lists.
Delivery milestone – CYP launched Skills4Life, now its flagship education and life skills programme.
October 2020
Delivery milestone – CYP launched its mental health and wellbeing mentoring one-to-ones.
December 2020
Waitrose – Funded CYP’s first ever Christmas meal for young people.
BBC Children in Need – Renewed funding for a youth worker and operational budget, allowing CYP to grow further.
Growth milestone – CYP reached 180 young people.
January 2021
West Midlands Railway – Provided free train passes so young people from Malvern and Ledbury could access CYP.
NHS Sexual Health Services – Began supporting young people with free condoms and pregnancy tests.
Delivery milestone – CYP piloted its first ever school empowerment sessions.
May 2021
The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities) – Funded a feasibility study to explore CYP’s future building needs as the service outgrew its space.
June 2021
Falmouth University – Funded CYP’s first residential, giving young people the chance to experience life beyond their local environment.
September 2021
Delivery milestone – CYP launched partnerships with local schools delivering one-to-one support in school settings.
August 2021
The Eveson Trust – Supported the development of CYP’s Empowerment Programme, expanding outreach and school support.
January 2022
Growth milestone – CYP reached 300 young people.
June 2022
Herefordshire Council HAF – Part funded CYP’s summer programme.
September 2022
The Eveson Trust – Continued support by funding transport alongside Skills4Life, empowerment, and one-to-one work.
October 2022
CYP governance milestone – CYP began the process of becoming an independent charity.
December 2022
Francis of Malvern & The Everson Trust– Funded CYP’s second residential, taking 15 young people away for a weekend.
January 2023
Growth milestone – CYP reached 425 young people.
Delivery milestone – CYP launched its drop in programme, opening five days a week for young people to access support.
May 2023
The National Lottery Community Fund (Reaching Communities) – Funded CYP’s independence grant, supporting the move into full charity status and additional youth workers.
Delivery milestone – CYP launched Wonderkind, now known as Spark Club, supporting young people exploring identity, culture, and belonging.
June 2023
National Lottery Awards for All – Funded CYP’s summer programme.
September 2023
National Lottery Awards for All – Funded outreach and SEND support for young people.
July 2024
Colwall Rotary Club – Supported CYP’s first large football festival, widening access to sport for young people.
September 2024
Colwall Orchard Group – Partnership began to support young people in accessing nature and outdoor wellbeing opportunities.
December 2024
Waitrose and Colwall Rotary Club – Funded CYP’s fifth anniversary Christmas celebration.
April 2025
Onside Advocacy – Took over from CLD Trust in providing seconded youth workers for mental health provision.
June 2025
Sport England – Funded a 12 month outreach sport project, supporting CYP’s football festival and ongoing sport access.
September 2025
Delivery milestone – Skills4Life expanded into a full evening youth group due to demand.
November 2025
Delivery milestone – CYP launched the Empowerment Roadshow, taking young people into the community to build life skills and improve wellbeing.
Delivery milestone – CYP reached five evenings a week of provision, alongside weekday daytime drop in support.
Colwall Rotary Club and West Malvern Charities – Awarded £1,500 for a Christmas meal and CYP celebration.
December 2025
Police and Crime Commissioner Safer Communities Fund – Funded sessional youth workers to reduce antisocial behaviour through outreach.
Eastnor Masonic Lodge – Awarded £3,000 to support SEND provision locally.
Delivery milestone – CYP held its first ever Christmas meal at Colwall Park Hotel.
January 2026
The Eveson Charitable Trust – Awarded £12,000 to support CYP’s independence by funding rent towards a new youth centre.
Growth milestone – CYP reached 722 young people.
