Youth Options was established in the late 1930’s (formerly Hampshire & IOW Association of Boys’ Clubs). We have one key aim – we seek to provide help and support for the young people of Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight through activities and social education programmes which develop, inform, educate and entertain in an atmosphere of honesty, fair play and responsible concern for themselves and others.
It is not unusual for Youth Options to have contact with 30,000 young people in one year.
In 2003 the organisation employed 9 full time and 6 part time staff, as well as supporting 50 volunteers with a turnover of approximately £400,000. With the appointment of a new Chief Executive in 2003 and a restructure of the organisation, Youth Options currently employs 35 full time and 12 part time staff, and supports up to 100 volunteers with an anticipated turnover of £1.3million for the year 2009/10.
We continue to deliver the original work of the Charity, which is to support the 45 youth groups affiliated to the organisation. Through our support services team, we deliver a variety of programmes that includes residential training, management advice and quality assurance, advice on policy and procedures supported by documentation and good practice guidelines, a wide and varied activity programme, including 5-a-side football, water sports, fashion challenge, plus many others.
In recognition of the make up of the county and its many rural locations, we have a youth support team that visits youth groups, schools and special needs groups delivering a variety of workshops which includes circus skills, CD mixing, graffiti art and first aid training.
In recent years, through a number of funding streams, local authority and statutory partnerships, Youth Options has developed and delivered a number of projects to young people throughout the county. Currently we operate and run three full-time inclusion programmes that specifically target young people who are vulnerable, at risk of offending or socially excluded. These projects employ 12 full time staff delivering intensive one-to-one support in both formal and informal education, and at the same time provide support to the families and carers.
Other projects include the delivery of the Personal, Social and Health Education programme to Pupil Referral Units in partnership with the Education Department of Hampshire County Council, Positive Activities Programmes in Havant, Basingstoke and the New Forest, Year 6-7 Transition Programmes in Havant and Southampton and Key Stage 4 engagement programmes.
All of the programmes are supported by a Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of services with the whole organisation being overseen by a Board of Trustees made up of 6 volunteers under the watchful eye of Dame Mary Fagan, our President.
Mark Dixon
Chief Executive
Tel: 01794 525510
Email: Chief Executive
