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News & thoughts

Inspiring inclusion across the nations

12 March 2024

The College's Head of Research and Evaluation Liz Phillips shares learning on 'positive masculinity', an innovative approach driving forward critical support for boys and young men.

Creating consistent and intentional impact through youth social action at Student Hubs

23 February 2024

In this blog, Sophie Payne shares examples of how the team at Student Hubs have worked towards achieving the College’s Impact and Improvement Standards, and how the standards can support intentional design, delivery, and learning practices.

‘What’s in a name?’ – Data, duty, and the importance of honouring our stories

1 February 2024

For National Storytelling Week, Catherine Mitchell and Hannah Warsame explore the relationship between storytelling and data collection, and our duty towards the stories that sit behind our data.

The Centre for Youth Impact – ten years on

25 January 2024

In this read, Bethia McNeil looks back at ten years of the Centre for Youth Impact, looks forward to new beginnings, and explores evaluation’s shift from the ‘marginal’ to the ‘mainstream’. 

Championing supportive and collaborative spaces for the sector

25 January 2024

We are thrilled to announce the expansion of the YMCA George Williams College Regional and National Impact Networks, welcoming Youth Scotland and Youth Cymru to our existing peer network across the UK.

YMCA across the nations: supporting UK-wide collaboration

22 January 2024

This week, YMCA England & Wales will host the first Four Nations Youth Work Conference, bringing together youth workers from across England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland to begin building a national youth work network!

Learning from collaborative outcome reporting approaches to evaluating youth voice

23 November 2023

In this latest read, YMCA George Williams College's Research Fellow Tom Burke reflects on his key takeaways from adopting a collaborative outcome reporting approach to evaluating youth voice, as part of our Establishing Youth Voice evaluation.

Building a Workforce for the Youth Sector

7 November 2023

In this latest read, the College's Kat Harris reflects on how intentional and consistent investment in training and development can reap great rewards for both organisations and practitioners. 

Black History Month Reading List

31 October 2023

In celebration of Black History Month, members of the team have curated a list on work that celebrates, embodies or shines a light on Black history, experiences, and voices.

A Multi-Site Trial of Mentoring: supporting small, grassroots, organisations to participate in robust impact evaluations

26 October 2023

In this latest read, the College's Hannah Quail shares emerging learning from our groundbreaking Multi-site Trial of Mentoring project, supported by Youth Endowment Fund.

The Power of Diverse Voices Within the Workforce

1 September 2023

Now ten months into the role, the College’s Communications and Partnerships Assistant Erin Metcalfe reflects on her graduate journey to the College, and how investing in young people within your staff team can lead to greater impact.

August Reading List

31 August 2023

Every month, members of the team share work that has made us think, inspired us, or piqued our interest. 

Check out our reading list for August!

Pride Month Reading List

23 June 2023

In celebration of Pride month, members of the team have curated a list of work that celebrates, embodies or shines a light on LGBTQIA+ history, experiences, and voices. 

YMCA George Williams College signs the #iwill Power of Youth Charter

6 June 2023

This Power of Youth Day, we are delighted to announce that we have signed the Power of Youth Charter!

Our Thoughts - Catherine Mitchell

31 May 2023

For this month’s Our Thoughts, our Organisational Learning and Support Lead Catherine Mitchell explores the application of empathy in the workplace to create enabling environments, and discusses how by doing so, we can enhance our support for our colleagues and young people. 

Introducing the College's Relational Practice Curriculum

30 May 2023

This month Simon Frost, the College’s Head of Education, reflects on the development of the College’s Relational Practice Curriculum, which is due to be launched this autumn.