Urban Circle celebrates a new era in youth work

Urban Circle is thrilled to welcome the Welsh Government’s launch of a national youth work body and statutory framework a milestone that genuinely honours the value of youth work across Wales. There is something poetic about this moment coming now under the support and direction of Loren Henry whose journey and vision have helped shape Urban Circle into a powerful force for youth empowerment and social justice.

Loren Henry’s journey began when she studied Youth and Community Work BA and then a Master’s in Working with Children and Young People at University of South Wales USW. (southwales.ac.uk) Before university she and her colleagues were already active in supporting young people in Newport through creative arts community work and youth outreach. But it was her academic training that helped transform those grassroots efforts into a professional structured organisation. Today Urban Circle stands as one of Wales’ most committed youth work charities combining professional youth work values arts community engagement and social responsibility. (southwales.ac.uk)

Loren often reflects on why Urban Circle exists. “Youth work is about more than activities it is about creating environments where young people feel valued supported and inspired” she says. With the new national framework she believes there is now real opportunity for that vision to be rolled out across the country so that every young person has access to meaningful support regardless of background postcode or circumstance.

Urban Circle’s work over the years has been diverse and intentional from creative arts and mental health support to community events and cultural festivals. For example their arts meets public health project helped young people explore and express difficult emotions through drama building emotional resilience empathy and community connection in ways traditional services often do not. (southwales.ac.uk) Similarly the organisation’s cultural events such as the Reggae and Riddim Festival have brought together young people and wider communities celebrating diversity identity heritage and creativity. (southwales.ac.uk)

Loren emphasises how recognition and professional standards matter. “Our time at USW enabled us to shape the organisation into what it is today professional effective and rooted in community needs” She acknowledges that academic grounding along with lived experience and passion has made all the difference. “It validated the dedication of youth workers across Wales who work tirelessly to make a difference”

Now as Wales commits to embedding youth work in law and policy Urban Circle is ready. Loren says “This is a historic moment for youth work in Wales but also a call to action. Urban Circle is committed to ensuring this framework translates into real opportunities and lasting impact for young people in every community we serve”

Under Loren’s leadership and with decades of experience behind it Urban Circle is poised to shape a vibrant inclusive and professional youth work landscape for the future. The organisation’s journey from grassroots community outreach to being recognised as a leading youth work charity is testament to what vision commitment and community spirit can build. And today with new national support and legal backing that work feels more meaningful and hopeful than ever.