In a vibrant show of community spirit and dedication, schools across West Berkshire joined forces for the ‘Wear Blue for Berkshire Youth’ event on Friday, 11th October 2024. This special non-uniform day invited students to contribute £1 to wear blue, demonstrating their support for Berkshire Youth, a charity dedicated to empowering young people in the region.
The initiative aims to raise both awareness and essential funds for Berkshire Youth, ensuring the charity can continue offering critical services to young people at little or no cost. The funds raised will be channelled into purchasing resources for youth projects and expanding the charity’s capacity to provide more hours of youth work, crucial for meeting the needs of young people when and where they need it most.
The Downs School in Compton, Kennet School, Trinity School, and The Willink School in Burghfield are demonstrating the area’s dedication to enhancing community engagement by participating in this initiative. Kicking off the initiative is St Barts in Newbury who are hosting their event earlier on Thursday, 10th October, inspiring a collective show of support.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong commitment from our local schools,” said Louisa Merchant, Business Development Manager at Berkshire Youth. “The ‘Wear Blue for Berkshire Youth’ event is a wonderful opportunity for students to take an active role in supporting their peers. Each donation is not just a financial contribution but a step towards a brighter future for many young people in our community.”
Berkshire Youth has been a cornerstone of support for young people in the region for nearly 85 years, with over 52,000 attendances from young individuals annually. The charity’s mission is to engage, empower, support, and inspire youth, offering them opportunities to grow through sports, arts, educational programs, and more. Berkshire Youth’s focus is on prevention, helping those who might not yet be in crisis but are missing out due to various barriers, ensuring they have access to safe environments and new experiences.
Community support plays a vital role in the charity’s success, helping to address social issues and promote personal development. The ‘Wear Blue for Berkshire Youth’ event not only raises funds but also encourages a sense of unity and shared purpose across West Berkshire.
