Young Devon work in partnership with other organisations that support young people; we know that when we all work together we are able to offer the most holistic and joined up support to those who need it.

Space Youth Services is a youth organisation Young Devon often partner with, in particular their base ‘The Hive’ in Exmouth; so when I received an email from Katie Hales (Community Youth Worker) detailing that Space Youth Services had been awarded a grant from Devon Community Foundation to spend on food for local families with young people, I was quick to respond!

Sidmouth Herald: One of the food bags packed and ready for deliveryOne of the food bags packed and ready for delivery (Image: Emily Sethi)


With Space Youth Services preparing bags full of food worth £40 each, Katie asked the Sidmouth Youth team to think of young people who would benefit from this support. But, we had to think fast…with £6,000 worth of food being delivered to Exmouth, we had a mission on our hands!

The Sidmouth Youth team and I were keen to make the most of this opportunity for the local young people that we work with, so together we drew up a list. We considered those who attended Zoom sessions throughout the pandemic, those who have been supported through one-to-ones or our C-Card scheme, those who have been helped through our Wellbeing Practitioner work and the small group that have been coming into the Youth Centre one night a week throughout the last year. Next we got to looking up addresses, mapping routes and planning delivery!

The food bags arrived from Space Youth Services, full to the brim with useful items such as toothpaste, pasta and tins, as well as Easter treats (chocolate of course!), and we hand-delivered each bag to our chosen families.

The note we left with the food bags said…
“We know lockdown has been hard, we hope this helps bring a smile, from the team at Sidmouth Youth Centre”
Sidmouth Herald: A car load of food bags ready to be deliveredA car load of food bags ready to be delivered (Image: Emily Sethi)
By the end of the week 20 food bags had been given out to young people in need. The young people and their families were incredibly grateful, saying: “It has been such a hard time, thank you…” and “Wow, this really helps…” as well as “This will make a big difference, thank you”.
Our mission was a success! By working with Space Youth Services, we helped feed many local young people and their families, brightening their Easter and inciting smiles. Teamwork is a powerful tool for change — together, we can make a difference