With over 65 different clubs and projects offering over 100 sessions per week there is something for everyone.
Junior clubs cater for those in school year 4 to 6, youth clubs are for those in years 7 to 9, and senior projects for those in year 9 and above. Some of the specialist provision will cater for younger members and their families. The service sits within the Department of Education Sport and Culture and operates under the Manx Youth and Sport division.
There are 24 different venues which include 6 purpose-built centres, designated rooms within schools, community halls, and an Outdoor Learning centre with hostel accommodation. These projects are open over 7 days per week offering 60 youth work sessions and up to 10pm on certain evenings. The service also has detached youth workers on the streets in Douglas, Ramsey and South on Friday’s evenings.
In addition to the community-based clubs and projects the Youth Service offers a range of bespoke learning programmes to young people. These are the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, a young volunteers programme, and an AQA awards based programme supported by some schools. Across the schools and independent groups there can be up to 800 young people engaged in a Duke of Edinburgh award at any one time.
Adventure Education is catered for at the Ardwhallan outdoor centre, which is based near Injebreck reservoir. It boasts a residential centre with 22 beds, separate classroom facilities and grounds with a range of facilities including an assault course, a low ropes course, group work problem solving and camping facilities.
The centre has developed an offer for all primary school aged children and will support teachers and youth workers in the delivery of outdoor learning and a wilderness education program. The centre and its staff host and support the operations of the Duke of Edinburgh program.
Café Laare and Kenyon's Café are café/meeting spaces that is available to a wide variety of youth organisations and charity’s.
Training, advice and guidance is available for anyone wishing to start a youth group or activity. The latest survey of young people aged 11 to 18 showed that 73% were involved in positive activities in the evenings and at weekends. This is possible because our community is fortunate to have an army of adults willing to dedicate their time to providing exciting opportunities for our young people.